Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FRANCISIAN ROCK (NAP) (best price 3/1) gained a thoroughly deserved success at the eighth time of asking at Thurles last time out and having proved conclusively that a stamina test is what he’s been requiring all along, Mouse Morris’ gelding can press home that theory again on handicap debut.

Placed on his first four starts over hurdles, the son of Fame And Glory lost little in defeat up against the likes of Arctic Bresil, Corbett’s Cross and Seabank Bistro, he just ultimately didn’t have enough tactical speed at the business end to cope with classier types over trips short of 2m4f.

Upped to three miles for the first time at the Co Tipperary venue, the six-year-old faced a really tough opponent in the shape of Sir Argus but, having served it up to his main market rival from over a mile out, he ultimately proved too strong in the latter stages to actually score with a bit up his sleeve.

The feature of that performance, along with several others, was his game attitude and with the combination of that trait and ability to handle today’s track seen as two very strong positives, this future chasing type rates a confident choice to make a big impression off his opening mark of 121.

LATTITUDE (best price 11/4) has left the impression on more than one occasion this season he’s a winner waiting to happen over fences and with today’s slightly easier test to the one he faced last time seen as a big help to his chances, Mel Rowley’s gelding Is taken to finally deliver the goods.

Shaping as though the run would do him good on his chase debut at Uttoxeter back in October, the son of Shirocco just found the tempo too strong over an inadequate trip back at the same venue next time, but it was still a decent effort all the same.

Off the track for 73 days in the interim, the seven-year-old returned to the action in a competitive affair at Kelso last time out and although he ultimately came up just short of the mark on the day, he came out of the contest with great credit.

Seemingly appreciating the three-mile journey, he only narrowly failed to catch the useful Ned Tanner on the run-in, but with the pair well clear and the time figure pretty useful, his effort has to go down as close to a career high.

Now establishing he wants a stiffer test, connections are obviously keen to keep him a distance more in keeping with his run style and having scored on his only start over today’s course in the past, a return to his local venue should see him go close to breaking his duck over fences.

IMPERIAL JOE (best price 5/1) posted a really useful set of numbers for the grade when scoring for the second time in six starts over fences at Taunton last time out and with today’s opposition seemingly no greater in terms of quality, Tim Dennis’ gelding is fancied to add to his tally.

Campaigned largely between 2m and 2m4f throughout his career, the son of Imperial Monarch was sent into uncharted territory at the West Country venue earlier in the month and on the evidence of his performance, it’s safe to say he improved markedly for the experiment.

Really strong when he needed to be in the last half a mile, the seven-year-old readily repelled several challenges down the straight and, in hitting the line nice and hard, his backend splits compared favourably with the 2m5f handicap won by the 112-rated Lady KK.

Based on the data from 21 days ago, he still appears well enough treated and having coped with similar conditions to what he faces today at Exeter three starts ago, this model of consistency is fancied to make the frame at the very least.

AMRONS SAGE (best price 11/4) ended up getting beaten 15 lengths at Sandown last time out, but for large portions of that competitive handicap 35 days ago he looked like winning and he’s given another chance to back up that impression over a track that will suit him much better than the demands of the Esher venue.

Sweating up badly beforehand, it was also noticeable that Nicky Henderson’s inmate was very keen throughout the 2m 4f contest, but despite expending all that energy in the early exchanges, he still held every chance approaching the last. Unfortunately, a bad blunder at the final flight cooked his goose but at least his pilot soon recognised the fact he wasn’t going to win and he duly looked after his mount on the long climb to the line.

Ultimately a good bit better than the bare facts suggested from his latest assignment, the son of Sageburg still, therefore, has the look of a very well handicapped horse, and having gone well over an inadequate trip against the smart Pembroke over today’s track the time before, a return to the Shropshire venue should see him competitive in a race of this nature.