Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

HARJO (best price 9/2) probably bumped into two smart novices in an above-average race of its type at Uttoxeter last time and he looks to have been handed a fairly workable mark on handicap debut from which to exploit.

Runner-up to the useful Maximilian following a 208-day break at Carlisle on his seasonal bow, the son of Yeats was well-supported to build of that effort at the Midland track a month later and even though the record books say he got put in his place, the figures suggest he ran a good deal better than at first feared.
Indeed, the fifth home, Santos Blue, has already gone a long way to indicate we are dealing with a pretty decent piece of novice hurdle form and with today’s race by and large full of grizzled old handicappers, he has the scope to prove a cut above. 

KAYF HERNANDO (best price 11/4) reacted really well to the first-time cheekpieces when accounting for a useful field over today’s C&D last time out and with connections seemingly keen to bring back the son of Kayf Tara to the West Country track in order to maintain continuity, he rates a strong choice to repeat the dose. 

Shaping as though in need of the run/experience on chase debut at Bangor after a 22o-day break, Dan Skelton’s inmate went through his latest encounter like a totally different horse and once hitting the front on the approach to three out, the result was never in doubt. 

Feasibly still well treated and 2-2 going right-handed, the six-year-old looks sure to put up a bold bid with seemingly plenty in his favour.

STAINSBY GIRL (best price 9/4) has twice exhibited a liking for today’s sharp, left handed track and under her optimum conditions, Nick Alexander’s mare is fancied to maintain that fine record. 
A back-to-back winner on her final two starts of last season, the daughter of Shirocco was rather surprisingly sent off 16-1 on her first outing for new connections a month ago and after travelling well throughout, she skipped well clear in the latter stages to defy the market unease. 

Clearly on good terms with herself on the evidence of that eased-down win, the form of those in behind her that day give reason to believe the race is a totally believable one and even though she faces a similar competitive field on her return to the Merseyside track, hope is high she can once again deliver the goods. 

THE CHANGING MAN (best price 5/2) has shaped like he remains a fair way ahead of the assessor based on his last two performances and today’s assignment offers up another opportunity to test that theory to the full. 

A cosy winner of a competitive contest at Ffos Las two starts ago, the numbers he posted at the Welsh venue suggested he was miles better than his rating and he backed up that view with a similar display of dominance at Uttoxeter next time.

Seeing out the three-mile trip really well that day, Colin Tizzard’s gelding has now proven that he harbours a decent combination of speed and stamina and with today’s better ground likely to put less emphasis on a fluky result, his qualities should come to the fore.