Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

After being such a frustrating sort, INDIANA JONES (best price 5/2) looks to have turned the corner in a big way and following his breakthrough success at Graded level at Navan two weeks ago, Mouse Morris’ gelding can continue on his upward trajectory.

Following three falls in a row this time last year, his confidence must have been completely shot to pieces, but to his trainer’s great credit, not only has he got the son of Blue Bresil mentally sound again, his levels of performance have gone into uncharted territory.

A smooth victory over the useful Gallyhill prompted connections to think big at the Co Meath venue last time out and, after travelling well throughout, he showed sound battling qualities to get the better of two smart Willie Mullins-trained chasers in the shape of Ha D’or and Flame Bearer.

In posting his best ever speed figure that day, there didn’t appear to be any fluke about the result and having run well on his two visits to today’s venue despite being unsuited by the trip each time, the in-form seven-year-old can complete his hat trick.

COLLECTORS ITEM (best price 9/2) just lost out in a bobbing finish to a competitive Grade 2 at Haydock last time out and having come out of that contest with his reputation as a strong staying novice well intact, he looks more than capable of coming up with the goods off what appears a reasonable mark on handicap debut.

Seemingly relishing the soft conditions when getting the better of the smart Makin’yourmindup in a novice hurdle at Kempton two months ago, the son of Flemensfirth was pitched into a much higher level at the Merseyside venue a month later and although he narrowly failed to confirm the form with his old rival, his performance still has to go down as a big step in the right direction.

Very game from the last, the six-year-old impressed with how well he coped with supposedly much classier rivals, and with today’s ground seen as far more suitable for him that it would have been 28 days ago, he’s likely to make his presence off his opening 132 assessment.

FRENCH PARADOXE (best price 11/1) could conceivably have won his last five races but for mishap and, providing he avoids the odd costly mistake on this occasion, this upwardly-mobile young novice rates a strong choice to prove he very much belongs in this company.

Picking up from where he left off at Wetherby on his opening bow of the campaign, he appeared to have a similar contest at Ffos Las in the palm of his hand until falling at the last, but he soon made amends when jumping a clear round at Newcastle last time out, a victory that sets him up nicely for a tilt at today’s big prize.

Clearly a lover of soft ground, he will, at the same time, need to prove that he stays a distance beyond three miles, but given that he’s looked pretty strong in all his races he’s completed in the latter stages, there’s every chance he will still be bang there with every chance turning for home.

SUPER SURVIVOR (NAP) (best price 3/1) appears to have taken extremely well to fences based on his two performances so far to date and with connections seemingly having this race in mind for the son of Shantou since he ran well here back in November, he’s strongly fancied to execute the plan.

A useful novice hurdler, Jamie Snowdon’s gelding, however, was always regarded as a future chaser and he almost made the perfect start to his new vocation when runner-up in a hugely-competitive novices’ handicap over today’s course off the back of a 218-day break.

Well backed to make the expected improvement necessary when in a similar event at Chepstow when last seen, the seven-year-old duly made no mistake and with the form of that race back in December working out a treat since (Gustavian, Dalamoi and Oscar Elite all won subsequently), even his new rating might underestimate his progression.

A strong stayer at the trip based on that effort, today’s underfoot conditions should also suit and with both his trainer and jockey enjoying a week to remember at the Cheltenham Festival, another high-profile winner would be the icing on the cake.

REVOLUTIONISE (best price 11/4) has a pretty decent record over today’s C&D and following several near misses that suggest his turn is just around the corner, Stuart Williams’ grey can back up his latest victory here in November.

A little disappointing on his next two starts since that win off a break, the son of Lope De Vega has been much more consistent of late and of the three times he’s managed to fill out the frame, his best performance in terms of form and on the clock came when he chased home Perseverants in a competitive handicap a month ago.

Up to Class 2 company at Lingfield last time out, the seven-year-old couldn’t quite get to grips with the smart pair Tiger Crusade and Witch Hunter once they had obtained first run, but he was noted doing some sterling late work inside the final furlong which bodes well for his chances back down two grades at his favourite venue.