Cheltenham Tips: Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

One of the tried and trusted formulas to find the winner of the final of this Pertemps series is to concentrate on the qualifier run at Leopardstown at their Christmas meeting and having laughed at his opposition to score that day, MAXXUM (best price 6/1) gets a confident vote to repeat the dose.

Heading into that competitive contest following an easy success at Navan, Gordon Elliott’s gelding was a warm order to beat 26 rivals at the Dublin venue and, having travelled well throughout, he pulled readily clear in the closing stages to justify the cash in his direction.

Not only good on the eye that day, his overall time figure and final circuit sectionals were better than the Grade 1 won over the same C&D won by Home By The Lee, so with that in mind, it was easy to see why he was well-supported to back up that victory on his return visit.

Unfortunately for his supporters, he never got a chance to shine after being badly hampered by fading rivals dropping back into his lap on the home turn and in the end, he was left to finish in his own time halfway down the field.

On the back of that display, you could argue the handicapper has done him few favours, but when you consider there was talk of him being entered for the Stayers Hurdle such was class he showed in victory back in December, the extra hike in the ratings probably doesn’t matter. The fact that Davy Russell has been booked and not a top conditional taking off weight backs up that view.

With Constitution Hill doing his bit for team Henderson here on day one, it’s a case of ‘over to you’ to see whether Shishkin can justify his star status and while he’s fully expected to prove he’s the best in this division on the evidence of his most recent victory at Ascot, there’s just nagging doubt as to whether he can repeat the same level of form after only 26 days off.

It all boils down to personal choice as whether to take the risk at a short price, so for those of a more pessimistic nature seeking a value alternative, JANADIL (best price 15/2) is as good a choice as any.

First and foremost, a repeat of his performance when a creditable runner-up to the mighty Allaho in this race last year gives him every chance of hitting the frame at the very least and when you add into the mix he’s much more lightly raced than he was coming here 12 months ago, there’s a decent chance he will have a bit more lead in his pencil.

According to all the respected paddock judges at the Co Kenny venue 26 days ago, he looked in need of the run, so the fact he managed to come from last to first in a tactically run affair says a lot for his current wellbeing and class.

Having run well on both his previous visits to Cheltenham and flexible under all conditions, the son of Indian Daffodil is likely to run his race more than most.

The two big handicaps run over today’s C&D on trials day have often had a bearing on the result to this similar event in recent times and having fought out the finish of the race for the older horses back in January, IL RIDOTO (best price 8/1) and FUGITIF (best price 10/1)are fancied to fly the fag for that well-run affair with distinction.

The former just got the better of a protracted dual in the final mile, and with the pair well clear in a fast time, the form looks watertight. Seemingly appreciative of the first-time pieces, Paul Nicholls’ gelding was able to turn around several near misses over the track and with a body of work to suggest he’s likely to run his race more than most, he makes plenty of appeal.

The latter proved that he was just as comfortable on the big stage two months ago and no doubt connections will be fancying their chances of gaining revenge on his old rival. The way he jumped and travelled in what turned out to be a very strongly run race bodes well for this similar assignment and with the rain falling in the last 24 hours very much in his favour, he’s a must for any shortlist.

The Solerina Novices’ Hurdle has often been a fair guide to the outcome of this prize and with Ashroe Diamond’s absence, JETARA (best price 25/1) is expected to fly the flag for that smart Grade 3 affair.

A creditable runner-up to the useful High Definition in a good contest at Leopardstown at Christmas, Jessica Harrington’s mare was stepped up significantly in grade 47 days ago and despite being sent of as one of the outsiders, she thoroughly vindicated her place in the line-up.

Bang there with every chance at the last, it was only in the dying strides she succumbed to the better quality of the winner, but with the time figure speaking very favourable of the form, there’s every chance she will outrun her odds on ground that should suit.