Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

HARB (best price 9/2) ran a good bit better than the bare result suggested in as tough a Class 3 contest as you are likely to see at Lingfield last time and with today’s assignment seemingly nowhere near as demanding on paper, Peter Crate’s gelding is fancied to add to his useful track record.

A winner when making all the running over five-furlongs at the Surrey venue previously, the four-year-old was forced to step out of his comfort zone in what looked a particularly strong race for the grade but, despite taking on a whole host of in-form horses at a level a little higher than he’s been used to (predominately raced in Class 4 and 5 company), he came out of the race with great credit.

Tracking the pace turning for home, the son of Muhaarar actually hit the front looking likely to play a role in the finish at the furlong pole, but it was from this point where the closers took over and in the end he got completely engulfed by genuine quality six-furlong performers.

That said, even in finishing ninth he still managed to post a time figure right up there with his previous best and now returning to the scene of a comfortable success over arguably his optimum trip, he has a better chance than his morning odds would imply of toppling the favourite.

GIORGOI VASARI (best price 7/2) had genuine excuses when a beaten favourite at Wolverhampton last time out and with anything like a better passage through on this occasion, he can go some way to making amends.

A little keen in the early stages at the Dunstall Park track a week ago, he still looked to be full of running rounding the home turn, but it was from that point when several avenues were cordoned off. Having to sit and suffer behind a wall of horses while several swooped to conquer down the outside, Roger Fell’s gelding ended up surrendering vital track position at a crucial stage and, although he did his level best to repair some of the damage inside the final furlong, the dye was cast from a win perspective.

Although possibly better suited by further than a mile, at least running over a shorter trip might help him to switch off better than of late and with stable mate Crazy Spin likely to put plenty of pace to the race, hopefully this consistent five-year-old will be the one who comes home strongest of all at the business end.