Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

BRANDY HARBOUR (best price 15/2) looked on good terms with himself when trouncing his opposition at Limerick over hurdles last time out and with one of his better performance over fences coming at today’s C&D just under a year ago, the son of Schiaparelli can continue his decent recent run of form.

Runner-up on his two previous starts at Galway in October, Grainne O’Connor’s gelding was well-backed to go one place better at the Greenmount Park venue and, in a race that was run at a good clip throughout, he duly justified his position in the market.

Clocking the fastest time figure on the eight-race card, his performance deserved to be upgraded on account of his effort came on pretty churned up ground later in the day and with today’s conditions likely to ride tacky after the frost has come out of the ground, his overall profile suggests plenty of ease underfoot will be a welcome addition.

There looks to be plenty of pace on in this competitive sprint handicap and that should set things up nicely for ALLIGATOR ALLEY (best price 2/1), who seems to thrive on such an environment.

A slightly frustrating character at times, the son of Kingman continued that theme on his two starts at Newcastle after a mid-season break, but it didn’t take him too long to banish those blues with a polished display at Southwell last time.

A little awkward at the gates – which he can be from time to time – the five-year-old worked himself into a position whereby at halfway he was firmly in touch, and then with a powerful late surge, he ended up scoring with more in hand than the official margin suggested.

A listed winner and rated 104 at his prime, it’s difficult to see him getting back to that sort of level anytime soon, but at the same time, he looks in decent working order for this of standard at present and he can continue to shine.

THE THIN BLUE LINE (best price 11/4) left the impression he would have finished a lot closer in a similar race over today’s C&D last time and he’s worth a dart to back up that theory on his return to the Midland venue.

An eye-catcher over five furlongs at Southwell previously, the son of Mehmas was upped in trip for his latest encounter and although he didn’t reap maximum rewards, he suggests he’s worth another attempt at six next time. Finishing off his race strongly after getting tangled up in traffic for majority of the home straight, there’s a feeling he would have gone very close to landing the prize with a clear run and based on that viewpoint, a venture against similar opponents should reap a more positive outcome.