Andy Holding is back with two tips for today's action, with runners at Lingfield and Carlisle.
13:30 Lingfield
HOURVARI (best price 4/1) wasn’t unduly punished to finish a never-nearer third over today’s course last time out and with that effort seen as a big step forward from his previous start at Newbury, Olly Murphy’s gelding can keep the momentum going in the same direction.
Unable to make a meaningful impact in a hot novices’ event at the Berkshire venue on his first outing over hurdles, the son of My Risk had the formidable presence of Teddy Blue to cope with here a month later and although he never looked like winning, he did keep on nicely in the latter stages to suggest brighter times were ahead.
Based on that performance 20 days ago, the step up in trip should suit this lightly-raced six-year-old and if he can just tidy himself up a bit in the jumping department, he’s fancied to make some sort of impact at this level.
15:50 Carlisle
UP FOR PAROL (best price 4/1) ran exceptionally well for a horse who had been off the track for so long in the hugely-competitive Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last month and providing that strenuous workout hasn’t left too much of a mark, Jamie Snowden’s gelding is fancied to take advantage of today’s slight ease in grade.
A respectable sixth in the previous year’s renewal. Connection were obviously keen to have another crack at the valuable prize at the Sunbury venue and their policy of going there without a previous run almost paid off.
Racing alertly from the start, the son of Flemensfirth was always on the sharp end and when the field turned for home, he was still travelling like he was going to play a huge role in the final outcome. Unfortunately, however, he faded after the last as West Balboa and Red Risk found extra reserves, but the fact he was one of only four finishers in what turned out to be a brutal test at the trip, says a good deal for his qualities.
Whether he goes forwards ort backwards for that excellent effort, only time will tell, but it’s pretty safe to say none of today’s rivals would have been capable of running to such a high level, so a chance is worth taking he doesn’t ‘bounce’ in the wrong direction.
