Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

WATERGRANGE JACK (best price 13/2) clearly faced a rival in the shape of Santos Blue well ahead of the assessor at Wetherby last time out, but to only get beaten five lengths rates a decent return in the context of today’s race and, the only C&D winner in the field has a better chance of adding to his tally than his morning odds imply.

Outpointed in a quality Class 3 handicap at Exeter two starts ago, his sights were lowered accordingly at the Yorkshire venue 45 days ago and, having cut out the running from the start, he kept up a decent gallop until picked off in the closing stages.

Given what the winner went on to achieve at Chepstow last week, there was clearly no shame in finishing within hailing distance of Dan Skelton’s improving novice and considering the ground was softer than ideal for the son of Sintarajan, his effort deserves extra merit.

Back on drying ground and returning to the scene of his career-high effort last term, the seven-year-old can cut a dash from the front.

ENGELBERT (best price 11/4) ran an odd sort of race here last time but he certainly did more than enough in the latter stages to suggest he’s highly likely to finish a good deal closer to the well-fancied winner, Fox Power, at the very least.

Having his first run following surgery, his pilot was probably under the instructions not to be overly hard on the son of Havana Grey if things weren’t going his way, but even allowing for that cautiousness, there’s little doubt the sympathetic nature of the ride was slightly overdone.

Finishing hard on the bridle, James Ferguson’s inmate left the impression he had loads more to offer and now returning to the scene of that promising effort safe in the knowledge his breathing is A1, he can hopefully put in a more meaningful effort.

MIGHTY POWER (best price 9/2) didn’t get the rub of the green when sent off a short priced favourite to follow his previous C&D victory last time out but on the balance of power, he’s well worth another roll of the dice to make amends.

Seemingly appreciating a break when returning as a comfortable winner at the Gosforth Park venue a month ago, it was easy to see why he was a warm order to follow up, but unlike the time before, he met all sorts of traffic problems when coming with his run and in the end, he had to settle for an honorable third.

Likely to be held up for a late run again despite those tactics being fraught with danger, hopefully, Stella Barclay’s grey gets the breaks at the right time on his return visit.