Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Both the front two in the betting have slight questions to ask after their reputations dented for one reason or another in recent times, so with that in mind, PACHACUTI (best price 6/1) makes far more appeal as an each-way alternative at the morning odds.

Shaping as though badly in need of his first back after wind surgery, David Pipe’s backed up that view with an altogether more positive outcome at Hereford next time and he duly improved again to finally get his head in front at Fakenham last time out.

Setting his stall out right from the start, the son of Walk In The Park maintained strong fractions throughout the 2m4f journey and when asked for more when his only serious challenger looked dangerous turning for home, he answered every call to pull clear again late on.

Clearly relishing both trip and the ground at the Norfolk venue, he might just the necessary qualities under similar conditions to cause an upset.

KING GOLD (best price 11/2) ran his face off here last week despite getting a brutal trip out wide and now racing in a lot less competitive environment over a trip that should suit, the son of Anodin can prove his endeavours weren’t entirely in vain.

A shade unlucky when short of room at a crucial juncture on his UAE debut last month, the six-year-old was handed the coffin box draw in stall 15 on his return visit three weeks on, but that impost didn’t stop him from running a career high behind two confirmed dirt specialists in the shape of Golden Goal and Royal Mews.

While the former of that pair had the luxury of a ground-saving trip around the inner, King Gold was using up valuable energy trying to get across from his outside pitch and although he eventually worked himself into a position where he held every chance turning for home, the effort to do so finally caught up with him late on and he ended up having to settle for an honourable third.

That said, the time of the race was very good for the grade and considering the all-round speed he showed for nine tenths of the seven-furlong journey, it’s easy to see him being fully effective over shorter.

A competitive and tightly-knit handicap as you will find, but it looks a race well within the capabilities of the ever-reliable PRECIOUS ELEANOR (best price 3/1), and she gains the vote on multiple grounds.

Firstly, both her two efforts this season have been right up to scratch, secondly, she has a liking for today’s track and thirdly, the underfoot conditions which may blight many of her rivals, won’t be any kind of issue for Henry Daly’s mare.

Best of the rest behind two improving 2m4f handicappers at Cheltenham last time, surprisingly she has been dropped in the ratings following that decent performance and with most of her better career performances coming in the Spring, it would be a shock if the eight-year-old grey wasn’t involved in the final outcome in some way shape or form.

MUSE OF FIRE (best price 5/1) was slightly flattered to finish so close in the end to impressive winner Snowy Clouds at Catterick last time out, but nonetheless, it was still another positive step in the right direction and now in much calmer waters, Gary Hanmer’s gelding can finally break his duck under rules.

Runner-up to the progressive Unit Sixtyfour after a 365-day break over today’s C&D on his first outing for new connections, the son of Getaway was sent off favourite to go one place better at the Yorkshire venue two months later.

Held up in midfield as the pace upfront developed its own lifeform, it soon became apparent from along way out he was never likely to land a blow at the eventual winner and although his supporters probably weren’t best pleased how he was handled at the time, in the long run, the understanding of the situation shown by his pilot will prove beneficial for the horse going forward.

On the evidence of that display, it’s fair to say a return to a more galloping track and stiffer all-round test will suit and with the strong possibility of today’s race being more conventionally run than it was 21 days ago, the nine-year-old rates a reasonable each-way proposition at the morning odds.