Andy Holding is back with two tips for today's action, including a NAP at Dundalk.
14:30 Hereford
SAINT SEGAL (best price 7/4) could be called the winner a long way from home when making a successful start to his life over fences at Chepstow last time out and with his confirmed pace over a strongly-run two miles likely to prove the decisive factor, Jane Williams’ gelding rates a confident choice to continue his progression.
A smart juvenile last season good enough to finish second at Grade 1 level, connections made a decision to switch his attentions to fences after a couple of mediocre performances over hurdles and on the evidence of what came about at the Welsh venue, that action was an inspired one.
Always travelling kindly 47 days ago, the son of Saint Des Saints stayed on with plenty of gusty in the latter stages and it came as no surprise given the pace of the race to find out the time figure was well above average for the grade.
Given plenty of time to recover from that severe test, he now has to prove himself on slightly more testing ground, but as his best effort over hurdles came on soft ground in the Finale behind Porticello, there’s every reason to feel upbeat about his chances here this afternoon.
15:45 Dundalk
CHEERS AGAIN (NAP) (best price 9/4) landed a well-orchestrated punt here pre-Christmas and given the manner of victory, there’s more than a strong possibility he will be able to cope with the inevitable punishment dished out by the assessor.
Similarly well-supported over 1m2f the time before, Patrick Flynn’s showed plenty of promise despite not executing the coup in the first-time cheekpieces and that effort prompted connections to have a rethink regarding his ideal trip.
Back over a mile on his all-weather debut, the son of Mukhdram was a big springer in the market close to the off and for those that availed themselves of all prices from 10-1 down to 7-2, they never had too many anxious moments. Soon in a reasonable position despite being a little caught on heels coming out of the stalls, the four-year-old worked his way to the head of affairs at the two pole and from that point onwards he gradually eased his way clear of the pack.
Hitting the line hard, he posted good closing sectionals (best on the card) to match his smart overall time figure and with the scope to do even better now connections have found the key to him, he could still prove someway ahead of his revised mark.
