Andy Holding is back with two tips from today's action.
15:05 Wolverhampton
TOOPHAN (best price 4/1), similarly to Johnny Boom, didn’t get the smoothest of passages behind the well-ridden Arcadian Nights over today’s C&D three days ago, but providing things pan out a little better for Paul & Oliver Cole’s gelding on his return visit, he should have every chance of turning the tables.
A staying-on second to the in-form Asdaa over a mile at Newcastle previously, he shaped like a step up in trip might suit and, sure enough, he backed up that view at the Dunstall Park venue last time out. Noted still going well rounding the home turn, it was at this point when he ran into a fair amount of traffic dropping back in his lap and while the eventual winner enjoyed the luxury of a clear run, the son of New Appraoch didn’t get out until it was too late.
That said, he came home well enough to suggest he’s worth another go in a similar contest and, having been handed a decent draw, hopefully he should be alert enough to take advantage this time around.
19:30 Kempton
Annaf looked really good when scoring in tidy fashion at Lingfield last week, but he has now got to go and prove himself on tonight’s much slower surface which makes him an unattractive proposition at the morning odds.
On the other hand, KIWANO (best price 4/1) leaves his supporters in no such doubt and with the data of his latest victory over the C&D speaking favourably in his direction, David Simcock’s gelding can go a long way to maintaining his unbeaten track record.
A winner at the Sunbury venue on his debut back in September 2021, which was a rare bird for his trainer, the son of Dabirsim has been lightly raced in the interim but, after a gelding operation and a good bit of time off the track, he came roaring back to form with a vengeance.
Held up just behind the speed, the four-year-old travelled conspicuously well until the cutaway and then when unleashed with his run from that juncture, he kept on strongly to claim the spoils close home.
The worst of these on official ratings, he’s clearly going to have to find another step forward to topple the likes of Annaf, Tinker Toy and Aramis Grey, but based on that run here 12 days ago, it wouldn’t come as the biggest shock in the world if he proved equal to the task.
