Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

WHATCOULDHAVEBEEN (best price 9/2) took a nice step forward from her opening gambit at Cork last time out and being one of the few in today’s field proven in a fairly well-run race under these conditions, Jarlath Fahey’s mare is worth more than a second look at the morning odds.

Shaping with plenty of promise in a useful mares’ only contest at Limerick on her opening salvo over hurdles, the daughter of Battle Of Marengo was a good deal more prominent in the market at the Mallow venue two weeks later and although she couldn’t quite get the job done, her performance levels went up several notches.

In what turned out to be a strongly run race of its kind, the five-year-old showed enough quality to finish on the heels of the much-vaunted Alastor (sent off 1-4) and with the speed figure backing up the initial impression it was an above-average affair, it’s good to know she has that level of performance in her locker even at this stage of her development.

Likely to keep on improving, it’s worth noting her two victories on the Flat came when the ground was extremely testing, so with conditions at the Co Meath venue set to take a turn for the worse during the build-up to the race, all the stars align for her to run a big race.

Not a lot to separate TYGER BAY (best price 9/2) and Silkie Wilkie based on their recent clash over today’s C&D but as the former is a pretty reliable conveyance at the Surrey venue in recent times, he just gets the nod on value grounds.

A model of consistency on the all-weather of late, back-to-back victories over today’s C&D were followed up by an equally commendable effort in defeat at Kempton last time out and based on the clock, that performance was right up there with one of his best.

Often a smooth traveller who has a decent kick off a fast pace, form figures of 4111 over today’s six-furlong trip look like being enhanced further and, as a result, he rates a strong each-way choice.

DUNVEGAN (best price 11/2) ultimately ended up biting off more than he could chew in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown last time out, but now heading back in the direction of something far less demanding, Pat Fahy’s gelding has a fine chance of maintaining his terrific record at today’s track.

Winner of a bumper, novice hurdle and two chases at the Co Meath venue, the son of Le Havre was completing that nap hand in this very race last season and at no stage did he ever look like loosening his stranglehold of his unbeaten record.

A fine second to Chacun Pour Soi in a Grade 1 at the DRF thereafter, the two runs he’s had so far this season should have put a nice edge of his fitness and with all conditions coming alike to this classy grey, he’s one to take extremely seriously back on his home patch.

A tricky race to decipher with so many different strands of form to ponder, but there’s a good chance GIVEGA (best price 7/2) will improve significantly for a step up in trip and he’s worth a small interest to see whether that theory is realised.

A smooth winner of an Irish point for Colin Bowe, the son of Authorized returned to action after a 550-day break to contest a relatively modest novice hurdle at Lingfield but despite the general low-level turn out, he impressed with the manner of victory. Although not quite so silky-smooth on the eye at Fontwell last time out, the time figure he posted suggested his effort was pretty deceptive and he now looks ready for something a little more substantial to test the view he could be Graded level.

Looking at both his point win and his opening gambit under rules, it’s noticeable that he seemed to really appreciate plenty of give underfoot, so with today’s test putting a large premium on stamina, Gary Moore’s inmate will hopefully prove up to the challenge.

A cracking turnout for this sought-after prize and of those who might have more to offer than their current ratings suggest, OUTLAW PETER (best price 7/1) and DUBROVNIK HARRY (best price 7/1) make the most appeal.

The former has always been held in pretty healthy regard by connections and as such, he has been campaigned accordingly. Just touched off in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at the start of the season, Paul Nicholls’ gelding has subsequently gone on to score in comprehensive fashion at Exeter and since then, he’s been put away especially for this prize with a view to protecting his mark.

A winner over today’s C&D last term, a sharpish 2m5f clearly suits and with even though most of his recent performances have come on a decent surface, the mind is eased on that score knowing one best efforts in his formative days came when he chased home the ill-fated Three Stripe Life on heavy ground at Navan.

The latter certainly won’t mind the change in underfoot conditions as he appeared to revel in the mud as a novice last term and with his best effort coming courtesy of his excellent third in the EBF Final at Sandown, we know he’s well-suited by a proper stamina test.

Looking back at the form of that race from the Esher venue, the likes of Complete Unknown, Marble Sands, Arizona Cardinal, Surrey Quest, Thunder Rock, Mucho Mas, jet Plane, Our Jet, and Knappers Hill have all gone on to prove the value of the form and with Harry Fry’s gelding showing enough on his first start over fences to suggest the engine still lies intact (jumped badly), his qualities off what appears a favourable mark should come shining through.