Andy Holding is back with three tips from today's action, with runners at Kempton & Fontwell.
15:05 Kempton
GORAK (best price 5/1) has put in two decent shifts recently for new connections and with both performances strongly hinting a return to further would suit, Charlie Fellows’ gelding rates solid each-way material against the short-priced favourite.
Well-backed to make a successful start from his new base at Wolverhampton back in January, the son of Goken didn’t quite get home over the extended 1m1f after chasing a strong pace set by eventual winner War In Heaven, but since that disappointment, he’s been seen to much better effect over seven-furlongs.
Runner-up to the useful Chola Empire at Southwell in the first-time cheekpieces, the feature of that effort was the fast time figure he achieved in defeat and the four-year-old backed up that run with another solid display at Chelmsford last time out.
Keeping the winner, Full Intention, honest all the way to the line, he left the impression a return to a mile could be the key to him next time and having handled the relatively slow surface at the Essex track, hope is high he can repeat the dose under tonight’s similar conditions.
15:10 Fontwell
PEARLY ISLAND (best price 7/1) did about as well as expected against two horses rating in the 120’s at Market Rasen last time (winner favourite for the EBF Final at Sandown this coming Saturday), and now back at a more realistic level around a track where he has performed well in the past, Lucy Wadham’s gelding makes plenty of appeal at his morning odds.
Unsuited by genuine soft ground on his first two starts of the season, his next run at Huntingdon is also best overlooked due to his saddle slipping over half a mile from home.
Since then, the son of Trans Island has fared much better and his victory back at the Cambridgeshire venue was followed up by an equally useful effort a month later. Still in with a shout as the field turned for home, it was only on the run-in when he failed to go with the front two but, as the time, the speed figure of the race in question proved to be the best on the card, his display deserves plenty of praise.
A narrow runner-up to the smart Gamarat on his only visit to today’s venue this time last year, the seven-year-old has more going for him than it appears at first glance.
16:05 Kempton
ARCTICIAN (best price 6/1) almost overcame a terrible draw when runner-up here last time and despite not being too many favours in the ballot on his return visit, Simon Dow’s grey still receives a vote of confidence to hit the frame at the very least.
Ridden more forward than usually 28 days ago, the son of Dark Angel worked himself into a decent position rounding the home turn and despite having expended plenty of energy in doing so, he kept on extremely willingly all the way to the line.
Clearly in decent shape based on that upgradeable effort, a similar ride back over the same C&D can hopefully reap maximum rewards.
