Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GALLIC GEORDIE (best price 7/2) was in the process of running a fine race when capsizing at the second last at Lingfield last time out and providing he’s suffered no long-lasting damage from that untimely exit, Sam Drinkwater’s gelding has every chance of capturing this prize for the second year in succession.

Runner-up to the well-treated Walk In The Wild on his seasonal bow, the son of Geordieland was nicely backed to go one place better on his return to the Surrey venue a month later and although it looked unlikely he was going to reel in the eventual winner, Fast Buck, he probably would have finished an honourable second but for the mishap.

At his best when allowed to come through strongly in the latter of a well-run affair, the nine-year-old should get the decent pace he requires to run to maximum capacity.

PIKAR (NAP) (best price 9/4) has had to sit on suffer on the side lines ever since landing a useful maiden hurdle at Chepstow back in October but with the form of that race working out a treat in the subsequent months, there’s every chance the wait for him to return to action will bear fruit.

Very strong in the market at the Welsh venue despite being off the track for 277 days, the lightly-raced five-year-old impressive with how he travelled through the early part of what turned out to be a well-run affair and when asked to go and seal the deal after a fine jump at the last, his response to pressure was even more taking.

Looking at the exploits of those beaten that day, runner-up Hullnback went on to slam previous impressive Hereford winner Nemean Lion at Haydock next time, the fourth, Timeforatune, has won twice since and there’s little doubt the third home, Master Chewy, would have scored but for falling at the last on his next start.

Well-supported for two big handicaps in the interim, the combination of fast ground and cancelations have prevented him from justifying favouritism in both events and with connections settling to come here with the son of Masterstroke rather than tackle Grade 1 company in the Challow Hurdle later on today’s card, the opportunity to prove his current mark underestimates his capabilities will hopefully not be missed.

Not only a welcome large field for this traditional mid-season Grade 1 novices’ hurdle, but a whole host of youngsters with an abundance of untapped potential. Of them, Hermes Allen undoubtedly sets the standard with his Grade 2 victory at Cheltenham last time out, but whether he quite deserves be as short in the betting is open to debate.

Of those at more generous odds, one of two Gaelic raiders, JOYEUX MACHIN (best price 5/1), is fancied to make the trip over the Irish Sea a worthwhile exercise.  

Regarded good enough to take part in last season’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season, unfortunately for his set of supporters the heavy rain that fell on Prestbury Park in the build up to the race completely ruined his chances and, as such, he failed to run anywhere near the level that allowed him to chase home Facile Vega at the DRF.

A creditable third to the potentially high-class Inthepocket on hurdles debut despite the ground once again not being in his favour, Paul Nolan’s gelding produced a much more productive performance under suitable conditions at Fairyhouse last time out, quickening well in the closing stages off solid early fractions.

Unlike most of his Irish counterparts who head over here, today’s surface should help rather than hinder his prospects and with the trip aslo likely to bring about further improvement, the son of Saddler Maker can put up a bold show.

ART DECO (best price 3/1) kept on gallantly to be a fine second in a useful handicap chase for the grade here earlier in the month and with the potential of even more to come now racing over further, Robert Walford’s inmate can strike at the sixth time of asking.

A no show on his chase debut at Worcester after a 244-day break, the six-year-old looked to have a difficult task on his hands being pitched into an even tougher event at the Staffordshire venue two months later, but despite the magnitude of the assignment on paper beforehand, he managed to come through with flying colours.

The only one to offer any resistance to the track specialist Quick Draw in the latter stages, the son of Dapper intimated he could be worth a try over three miles in future and with connections wasting little time in exercising that theory, he’s fancied to deliver the goods.