Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FIRST LORD DE CUET (best price 16/1) may lack a bit of experience for a race of this nature, but on the other hand, he does have some pretty compelling form against many useful novices and at the prices, he’s worth a small interest to see whether he has the minerals for such an assignment.

A three-time winner under rules with a largely consistent overall record, David Pipe’s grey has finished runner-up on all of his five starts over fences and while some may question his attitude with an overall profile of that nature, a closer look into the facts around those defeats tells a different story.

Outstayed in the latter stages by last season’s EBF Final winner, Complete Unknown, on his first run for 571 days is hardly an indictment of his character and the same can be said of his brave battle up against Monbeg Genuis, who looks destined for big things based on his last three performances over fences.

Although he had to play second fiddle again to Sizeable Sam at Exeter last time, an untimely peck on landing two out ultimately cost him dear and there was no way you could fault his application in his bid to claw back the lost deficit on his main market rival after the last.

A prominent racer who jumps and stays well, the son of Lord Du Sud should, therefore, be suited by a track that often complements runners with his run style and at 16/1, it’s not as if we are being asked to cam skimpy odds to find out.

IMPHAL (best price 9/2) hasn’t cut much ice on his two starts so far this season but, with conditions finally coming in favour of Gary Moore’s gelding, he looks poised to make up for the bad luck he suffered at today’s track last season.

A real money spinner for connection last term, jumping considerably in the ratings courtesy of four victories in staying handicaps, the son of Nathaniel now finds himself back off a workable mark and based on the pick of his best form, he should be competitive if, as anticipated, he comes forward from his two runs last month.

Never likely to be competitive over two miles on his seasonal bow, the market suggested a similar performance might be forthcoming when stepped up a trip more in-keeping with his overall profile, and true to form, he languished out the back in a competitive Pertemps Qualifier at Huntingdon.

Trying to read jockey body language is a difficult enough exercise at the best of times, but it’s probably fair to say Jamie Moore has flexed his muscles more on a walk to the local paper shop than he did on the nine-year-old that afternoon and now back to the scene of his tremendous effort behind the well-handicapped Irish raider, Ardhill, over a year ago, there’s every chance we will see him a much more favourable light on ground he should find to his liking.

A wide-open renewal of this three-mile test for novices, with so many different form lines to ponder, but the one who stands out having run well in Grade 1 company is PASSING WELL (best price 11/2).

A good winner of a decent novice hurdle at Uttoxeter on his UK debut for new connections back in November, Jamie Snowden’s gelding was then pitched into the white-hot heat of the Challow Hurdle at Newbury next time and although he ended up getting beat the guts of 30 lengths in fourth, his performance still reads well in the context of today’s race.

Since that race two months ago, not only has the son of Coastal Path gone on to win, the likes of You Wear It Well, Marble Sands, and Crambo have all gone on to boost the form and with today’s extra trip and sharp track all positives regarding his prospects, a prominent ride off the front end should see him sticking around when the medals are being dished out.

GOLDEN ACE (best price 8/1) impressed with not only the way she travelled when making a winning debut at Wincanton, but with how tenacious she was once off the bridle and with that sound beginning seen as a solid platform from which to build for the future, Jeremy Scott’s mare can continue her progress in this tougher assignment.

Seemingly not massively well fancied on her opening bow at the West Country venue, hence the 18/1 starting price, the daughter of Golden Horn, however, was always moving like she was going to defy that ease in the market and as it turned out, she proved good enough to pull off the mini-shock with a thoroughly likeable game display.

Sweeping up to the leaders approaching the wings of two out, it soon became apparent it was a straight fight between herself and the well-fancied Beat The Bat, and in what turn out to be a ding-dong dual in the latter stages, she just about gained the verdict close home.

The feature of the performance was not only the solid time figure, but the fact the front pair pulled 10 lengths clear of some highly-regarded mares with big reputations and with that test likely not to have been lost of the five-year-old going forward, she can go well again for a stable who often punch above their weight in races of this nature.