Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GINGERBRED (best price 12/1) was in the process of running a big race when tipping up at the third from home here on his latest outing and providing Philip Hobbs’ gelding has suffered no ill effects from that untimely tumble, he’s fancied to easily outrun his odds. 

Having the hallmarks of a handicap project based on his three runs in maiden hurdles, the son of Universal was nibbled at in the market at the West Country venue and up until the point when he departed the scene, it was easy to see why he came in for support. Still travelling as well as anything at the time, it was impossible to say whether he would have won for certain, but at the same time, he surely would have been involved in the finish at the very least.

Working on that theory, the five-year-old chestnut has to be an interest of sorts on his return visit 22 days on, and with his promising conditionals on board (five winners so far to date). He makes quite a bit of each-way appeal with most firms offering four places. 

JUDEX LEFOU (best price 2/1) looked to be running himself into form based on his latest offering at Ludlow and Tim Vaughan’s gelding should be close to fever-pitch in his bid to win this race for the second year in succession. 

Dropped back in trip at the Shropshire track after two failed attempts over three miles, the son of Le Fou showed up prominently for a long way until just run out of the argument in the latter stages by the well-fancied Jobesgreen Lad, but with the time figure the best on the card that day, his performance was very much seen as a step back in the right direction. 

Likely to have had this race as a target for some while, conditions should be just about perfect for his repeat bid and with nothing else in today’s race coming here in earth-shattering form, it looks a decent opportunity for him to build on his pretty modest win-to-run ratio. 

WRECKING BALL PAUL (best price 6/1) shaped with a conspicuous amount of promise on his all-weather debut over today’s C&D 19 days ago and with just normal improvement, Paul Mullingan’s gelding has bright prospects of making his presence felt. 

A big disappointment over jumps when trained by Gordon Elliott, the son of Jet Way was given a break from his National Hunt duties on his second outing for new connections and with the addition of a tongue-tie, he almost caused a 50-1 surprise. 

Still with plenty to do leaving the back straight on his first visit to the Co Lough venue, the seven-year-old made up a good deal of ground in the latter stages and, in going on strongly as the line approached, he ended up finishing a never-nearer third. 

Likely to have benefitted greatly from that initial run, the only slight negative would be his tricky outside draw, but other than that, he looks to have as strong a case as most.