Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

COASTGUARD STATION (NAP) (best price 13/8) just found the smart Haddex Des Obeaux too hot to handle in the latter stages of his latest encounter at Doncaster but, with the pair well clear of the rest, including the likes of subsequent winners Dargiannini and Herbiers, it’s form that carries plenty of weight into today’s lesser contest.

Useful, without being anything flash over hurdles, Henry Oliver’s gelding already seems a much better prospect over fences based on just two starts and even though he suffered his first taste of defeat on Town Moor 81 days ago, the speed figure of the race suggested he’d run way behind his previous career high.

Prior to that excellent display, the son of Dylan Thomas had beaten the subsequent dual scorer Fusian in pretty tidy fashion on chase debut and having already proven himself over today’s course with victory over hurdles just shy of a year ago, he can continue the good recent work of his stable providing the ground doesn’t get any worse than what’s forecast.

Not a race to have the crown jewels on due to too many unknown quantities in the line-up, but even so, there was a lot to like about the way LIGHT SENTENCE (best price 14/1) went about his work on his debut over today’s C&D 18 days ago and at the prices, he’s worth a small each-way interest to see whether he can build on that initial display.

Not a total forlorn hope judged on his position in the market, Oliver Signy’s gelding always travelled like his was going to justify the reasonable amount of confidence behind him and although he couldn’t quite go with the main two players that day, he kept on well enough to finish a respectable third.

Despite being beaten 11 lengths at the West Country venue, the post-race data suggests it was a fair bumper by the track standards and with that solid platform sure to have done him the world of good both mentally and physically, the son of Lawman can more than hold his own against several with big reputations.