Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Connections of SKINFLINT (best price 4-1) had to wait quite a while for the son of Scorpion to deliver the goods under rules but such was the manner of his victory over today’s course last time out, they might not have to suffer too much longer for number two to come along.

Shaping as though in need of the run after a 322-day break at Hereford back in January, Henry Oliver’s inmate had the return of the cheekpieces on for his return visit a month later and, having picked up the running travelling best after the seventh, he soon built up an advantage he was in no mood to relinquish.

Eased down late on, the 11-year-old ended up scoring with any amount in hand and even though he has to go and prove himself over an extra half a mile, confidence is high he can prove equal to the task.

WIDEEYEDANDLEGLESS (best price 8-1) finished off his race in the manner of a horse who would appreciate a stiffer test at Wincanton last time out and having run well on his only outing at today’s track, Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding is fancied to do a good bit better than the market suggests.

Heading to the West Country venue off a 127-day break, the son of El Salvador was understandingly a little fresh and keen in the early stages but he soon settled down into a nice rhythm heading down the back for the final time. Outpaced as the field crackled up the tempo turning for home, he looked as though he was struggling on the run down to the last, but in a late rally, he stayed on really eye-catchingly to finish on the heels of the main players.

Likely to be all the better for that outing, it’s also worth pointing out the winner, Outlaw Peter, has subsequently gone on to land a decent handicap at Kempton yesterday and with the form of his previous contest won by Makin’yourmindup not too shabby either, the six-year-old makes quite a bit of each-way appeal at the morning odds.

DISCKO DES PLAGES (best price 10/3) must be a source of frustration for connections having hit the deck on his last two starts when going well, but he’s definitely worth another try to prove that he remains a well handicapped horse if he stays on his feet.

Leading and going well on the run down to the third last at Uttoxeter on his seasonal bow back in November, Richard Hobson’s gelding ended up getting it all round and depositing his pilot on the ground and although it was a little further from home back at the same venue last time out, he left the impression he would have taken a hand in the finish but for his untimely exit.

A big, tall, strapping type with a decent cruising speed for a horse of his grade, the son of Balko is likely to bang there with every chance turning for home at a track he’s gone well in the past, it’s just a question of whether he can hold it all together this time.