Andy Holding is back with two tips for today's action, including a NAP at Ffos Las.
15:00 Ffos Las
THOR DE CERISY (NAP) (best price 2/1) really seems to thrive under testing conditions and with that trait seen to good effect over today’s course last time out, a return to fences shouldn’t detour from Michael Scudamore’s gelding putting in another healthy shift.
Having put up a brave display when just run out of the argument by two subsequent winners late on at Lingfield over fences previously, the son of Enrique was unsurprisingly a warm order to confirm that promising effort dropping back down half a mile.
True to form, he set off at a brisk pace at the Welsh venue and even though he had unwanted company in the shape of Blacko for the thick end of half a mile, he still found the necessary reserves to see off the rest of his rivals who all had the luxury of sitting and watching the action unfold from afar.
Clearly in excellent heart to be able to pull off such a feat, the nine-year-old now returns to the larger obstacles in a bid to follow up that game success and with the cheekpices on for the first time presumably to prevent him from edging to his left at his fences, he is likely to take some pegging back if he can get into a good early rhythm.
19:00 Wolverhampton
JENSON BENSON (best price 3/1) shaped as though he could have done with stronger pace over today’s C&D last time out and with the likes of Harbour Vision, In The Spotlight and Bond Boy each likely to ensure tonight’s affair isn’t lacking in that department, Shaun Lycett’s gelding has a decent chance to win away from Chelmsford for the first time.
Looking at the five-year-old’s career record, it’s noticeable he often takes a run or two before he hits peak form and based on his performances so far this Winter, that trait seems to be following a similar pattern. Finding seven-furlongs too sharp on his reappearance back in December, the son of Kodi Bear was seen in a better light over a mile at his favourite venue a month later and had he not encountered such tepid fractions here last time out, he may have improved on his third place finish.
That said, the way he hit the line at the Dunstall Park track strongly suggested he’s coming to the boil and if everything pans out in his favour, there’s more than a fair chance he can justify his position in the market.
