Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

It can’t be any coincidence that locally-trained HAURAKI GULF (best price 7/2) has saved two of his best performances so far to date for today’s Midland venue and with conditions also set to suit Deborah Cole’s gelding better than most, he’s taken to outrun his morning odds.

The mere fact he was able to pull off a 50/1 shock when winning a bumper over today’s course on debut was a clear indication the son of Kayf Tara enjoyed just popping down his local for pint, and he almost made it 2-2 on his second start over hurdles back at the same venue two months later.

Just narrowly denied in making successful return to action after a 339-day break at Hereford back in January, the eight-year-old went on to fill out the same position at Uttoxeter last time out and with both races having plenty of strength in depth throughout its core, there’s fair deal of solid form attached to each performance.

Although he clearly stays further, he’s also not short of boot and with conditions set to ride fairly testing here this afternoon, this consistent and likeable sort looks booked to put in another decent shift.

RICHMOND LAKE (NAP) (best price 7/4) had to be considered a shade unlucky to bump into a thoroughly progressive young chaser in the shape of One Fine Man at Ayr last time out, but with the numbers backing up the view it was by no means a step in the wrong direction for Donald McCain’s gelding, he’s strongly fancied to resume winnings ways back over a track that saw him finish a creditable second to Jonbon over hurdles last season.

In-keeping with his owners, he was always expected to make the grade as a chaser rather than a hurdler and true to form, that appears to be the direction the son of Westerner is heading. A bit disappointing on his first start over fences, the seven-year-old soon cast that run aside with a smooth success at Wetherby next time and he was well-supported to keep the momentum going in the same direction at the Scottish venue a month later.

Despite coming up a little short 23 days ago, he still posted a smart speed figure to match his previous career-high effort, and with conditions seen as very much in his favour in this similar event, the lightly-raced sort can flourish over a trip that threatens to suit (won by 27 lengths on his only start over 2m4f as a hurdler).

Dan Skelton rarely leaves his local track without a winner and regardless of what has gone on during the rest of the card, there’s a good chance the day will end well for the Alcester handler with FANCY STUFF (best price 9/4) in the concluding contest.

Winner of a point and a bumper, the daughter of Presenting, however, has yet to score over hurdles, but on the evidence of her two most recent outings, there’s every chance that unwanted stat will change sooner rather than later.

A creditable runner-up to the useful Queens Rock at Southwell two starts ago, the six-year-old mare made a brave attempt to make all the running at Hereford last time out but in the end, she was ultimately run out of things in the closing stages by two horses who are rated 119 and 123 respectively.

Handed an opening mark of 103 for her handicap debut, she now returns back against her own sex and over a trip that is likely to see her to best advantage, do she deserves to be play accordingly at her morning odds.

It’s not often the best race on the card is saved until the last, but this contest is the exception to the rule, and of the sextet due to head to post, ONE FINE MAN (best price 5/2) makes the most appeal at the morning prices.

Sent chasing since the turn of the year, Jimmy Moffatt’s gelding has gone from strength to strength and his latest victory over the smart Richmond Lake at Ayr (runs in the 2.15), highlights the level of improvement his undergone.

Impressing with the way he jumped and travelled at the Scottish venue, the son of Jeremy got the better of a protracted dual with his main market rival over the final half a mile and when he hit the line, he left the impression there was plenty more under the bonnet if required.

A fine, big strapping type with loads of scope, the lightly-raced eight-year-old still appears to be on the sort of mark he’s well capable of exploiting and even though he faces his toughest task to date up against the likes of Grey Diamond (unlucky last time out) and Dreams of Home, there’s every chance he will prove equal to the task.