Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Quite a few exposed handicappers on show here who have been around the block more times than a tramp’s dog, but the same can’t be said about ANGELS DAWN (best price 3/1), and Sam Curling’s mare gains the confident vote to take this step up in class in her stride.

Steadily improving over fences, she’s come a long way since languishing out the back door against quality novice chasers to now mixing it with the older, more established handicappers. On her first attempt in open company, the daughter of Yeats left the impression she would have won but for making a mess of the last two fences, but she made up for that agonising loss with an altogether more polished display at Down Royal last time.

Noted travelling well in behind the pace throughout, she loomed up still going best on the run to the second last and even though she ultimately had to be shaken up quite vigorously to assert her superiority on the run-in, her half-a-length winning margin probably doesn’t do her justice.

On the evidence of both her performances in handicaps over fences, she looks to be crying out for a stiffer test and with today’s examination likely to provide her with all the assistance she needs on that front, the eight-year-old makes plenty of appeal down the foot of the handicap.

Probably not the classiest listed race ever run and on the evidence of her latest effort at Fairyhouse, it’s one well within the capabilities of WHATCOULDHAVEBEEN (best price 5/1).

Promising on her first two starts over hurdles, Jarlath Fahey’s mare eventually realised her potential with a gutsy success at the Co Meath venue last month and that breakthrough win was enough to initiate an attempt to gain black type in a warm Grade 3 back over the same C&D two weeks later.

Sent off one of the outsiders 22 days ago, the daughter of Battle Of Marengo just missed out on fulfilling her main objective for connections, but had she not suffered interference at each of the last two hurdles, there’s a strong case to be made for her finishing a good deal closer than she did.

On the evidence of that improved display, she looks for all the world as though a stiffer test will suit and with today’s extra yardage offering just the examination she requires, the five-year-old rates a decent each-way proposition at the morning odds.