Cheltenham Tips: Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

Willie Mullins looks to have a particularly strong hand in what appears to be a very classy renewal of the traditional opener on day two and if you are prepared to listen to all the gossip coming out of Closutton, Impaire Et Passe has only got to turn up to win. Because of all the hype, the son of Diamond Boy, however, is now trading at a price way shorter than his overall form and time figures suggest he should be and for that reason, the percentage call is to go with the stable’s other two big players, CHAMP KIELY (best price 8/1) and GAELIC WARRIOR (best price 7/1).

The former needs plenty of respect having landed one of the key trials for this race at Naas last time out and considering he had to do it the hard way, his performance deserves extra merit. A shade disappointing when sent off a red-hot favourite to win the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse previously, his demise can be put down to the fact he was way too keen in the early stages, thus blunting his finishing effort.

That said, the form of the race doesn’t look too bad given the exploits of the winner, Marine Nationale, in the context of today’s race and with his time figures reading as well as anything in the line-up, the son of Ocovango can prove he’s no bit-part player.

The latter has arguably had more column inches written about him throughout the season, to the point where the only event bookmakers hadn’t chalked him up was for the Grand National. To be fair to Willie Mullins’ inmate, he has walked the walk in his three starts so far this term and his victory under a big weight in a competitive handicap at the DRF was a real coming-of-age moment.

After much toing and froing connections have settled on a step up in trip for the son of Maxios and based on his overall profile, it’s a decision which is hard to knock.

A fiendishly difficult renewal of traditionally one of the most competitive handicaps of the meeting, but there’s a decent chance that either RUN FOR OSCAR (best price 9/1) or GOOD RISK AT ALL (best price 12/1) can prove the answer to the puzzle.

The former looks to have been targeted especially at this prize from a yard renown for pulling big betting coups on these shores. Well-backed to land the Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket last year, Charles Byrnes’ gelding never gave his supporters too many anxious moments and when you look at today’s field, there’s isn’t many who can boast the speed that he possesses.

An excellent third in a hot handicap over three miles at Haydock on his next start, the son of Oscar hasn’t been seen out since disappointing slightly on very heavy ground at Punchestown back in December, but that should mean he comes here fresh and raring to go similar to how he was campaigned before running away with the 100k purse at the Cambridgeshire venue.

The latter was disappointing in the same race at Haydock three months ago, but the combination of pulling too hard in the early stages over a trip he was trying for the first time counting against him in the final analysis.

Prior to that demise, Sam Thomas’ gelding was good both visually and on the clock in a competitive handicap on heavy ground at Carlisle and a repeat of a similar level of form definitely brings him into the argument. Moreover, the son of No Risk At All is a previous course winner and, with that positive allied to the fact he goes particularly well fresh (form figures of 21221 when off the track for more than 58 days), he makes quite a bit of appeal with the ground coming in his favour.

THIRD TIME LUCKI (best price 10/1) bounced back to something like his best form at Sandown last time out and with fears of very soft ground quashed by the drying conditions throughout the first day, Dan Skelton’s gelding might end up being a bigger player than at first anticipated.

A dual C&D winner as a novice and good enough to finish third to Edwardstone in a Grade 1, the son of Arcadia had rather lost his way in the interim, but following surgery to correct his wind, his victory at the Esher venue was a timely reminder how good he is now he can breathe again.

A good 10 lengths at least behind the powerful galloper Fast Buck, to make up that sort ground let alone go past the front runner in the closing stages was no mean feat and with the confidence he would have gained from that effort immeasurable, the eight-year-old makes plenty each-way appeal with some firms paying down to six places. 

Don't forget you can still secure early access to Andy's tips for the Cheltenham Festival. His tips for each day will be live for early access at 7pm and free to all users from 11am the following morning up until Friday.

Click HERE to find out more.