Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

STARSHIBA (best price 11/8) had to be considered a slightly unlucky loser of a similar race here last time and with the winner going on to boost the form at Wolverhampton two days ago, there’s a decent chance Michael Appleby’s gelding can follow suit.

Bidding to complete his hat trick at the Surrey venue 11 days ago, the son of Acclamation unfortunately put himself firmly on the back foot by giving away valuable ground at the start and it soon became apparent that he had a task on his hands from halfway. Despite making up much of the lost leeway in the closing stages he was always fighting a losing battle and on the evidence of that performance a return to a mile should at least partly ease the thought of a similar scenario developing for the second time in succession.

There’s little doubt Capital Theory arrives here in cracking form and it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if the nap hand is completed, but of the other two four-year-olds in the field, SILVERSCAPE (best price 5/1) makes the most appeal as a viable each-way alternative.

Having qualified for the London Middle Distance Series Final courtesy of a fine second behind Natchez Trace at Kempton back in September, the son of Cityscape underwent wind surgery in the interim and that procedure allowed him to run a career high on the figures when third to the very talented all-weather performer, Bellacio (subsequently gone on to win at listed level).

Staying on strongly from well off the pace that night, Roger Teal’s inmate ran a similar race in the first-time cheekpieces over the same course when last seen, but this time, his finishing effort wasn’t quite good enough to get him into the frame and he had to settle for a never-nearer fifth.

An impressive winner on his only start over today’s course, a return to the Surrey venue over a trip that will play more into his strengths is seen as a positive move and on the evidence of his last three runs, this race is well within his range class-wise.

KARDINYA (best price 10/3) had to wait 15 races before finally getting his head in front at Wolverhampton last time out, but given the time figure he produced, hopefully he won’t have a similar dry spell until winning again.

Knocking at the door based on his two previous efforts, the son of Mehmas was rather surprisingly sent off 16/1 to finally end the rot and, in what turned out to be a very strongly run race for the grade, he went on to prove his position in the market all wrong.

Staying on willingly in the latter stages once hitting the front over two furlongs from home, the four-year-old had enough in reserve to fend off the late challenge of course regular, Giorgio Vasari, and with the runner-up rather unlucky not to go one place better on his return to the Midland venue next time, it’s safe to say the form looks pretty reliable.