Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

LILKIAN (best price 5/1) has a body of work at today’s track to strongly suggest he’s almost certain to run his race and this three-time C&D winner looks to have every chance of adding to that tally in a race well within his range.

A convincing three-length winner here four starts ago, the combination of trip and different tracks have contributed to him only adding place money to his profit column but they were all efforts to suggest he still remains in decent form.

Not built for hugging 11st in an amateur rider contest at Chelmsford last time out, Darryl Holland’s gelding eventually succumbed to two stronger types close home but now heading back to a venue where the quicker surface compliments his action and run style, he stands out as a rock-solid each-way play at his morning odds.

The further HALONDO (NAP) (best price 7/4) went the better he looked over today’s course last time out and with the extra yardage he faces on his return visit expected to bring about more improvement, Olly Murphy’s gelding rates a strong choice to provide his in-form stable with another winner.

Slightly frustrating on his three previous starts, the son of Cokoriko was finally given a more realistic chance in handicap company for the first time and having received what appeared a reasonable mark of 109, he didn’t need any second invitation to seize the opportunity.

Relishing the underfoot conditions and stiffer test, the six-year-old took charge on the run down to two out and from that point he gradually worked himself well clear of the field. Scoring with any amount in hand, this future chasing type has been treated accordingly, but even so, he looks more than capable of defying the rise, especially as today’s 2m7f journey threatens to play even more into his strengths.

SAVE YOUR LOVE (best price 10/1) shaped with a conspicuous amount of promise on his debut at the Curragh towards the backend of last season and in the hope that he will find the necessary improvement to feature more prominently in a similar maiden this term, today provides Johnny Murtagh’s gelding ample opportunity to showcase his talents.

Modestly drawn in stall 17 of 20 at the Co Kildare venue, the son of Invincible Spirit’s task was further heightened due to a fairly slow beginning and by halfway, he still had plenty left on his plate. From that point, however, he really began to make inroads towards those kicking off the front and if it wasn’t for meeting notable trouble over on the far rail, there’s a good chance he might have finished a good deal closer than he did.

As fair as debuts go, his effort 167 days ago has to go down as a pretty decent beginning and, having proven that he can handle a big field on soft ground, only lack of fitness can prevent him from making an impact second time up.

VAZIR (best price 16/1) never featured in a quality Class 3 handicap run over tonight’s C&D last time out but, with the numbers from that race 35 days ago point to him actually running better than the bare result suggests, he’s well worth a punt at his morning odds to prove the surprise package on his return to the Sunbury venue.

Up against the likes of improving stayers Aztec Empire and Aced It, it was easy to see why Alan King’s gelding was sent off a 33-1 chance, but as it turned out, he more than held his own despite finishing eighth of the 10-strong field.

Held up towards the rear early, he kept on willingly from the back of the field inside the final half a mile and it’s worth noting his final three furlong split of 37.4 was only 0.4 slower than the winner and comparable with most of the other runners in the line-up. Moreover, his overall circuit time of 2.06.0 was pretty decent when you consider the average is usually around the 2.08.0 mark for two mile races of that grade, which is another reason why there’s more than a shred of hope for him here this evening.

Adding to the positives, he hails from a yard in decent form with their runners under both codes and with the blinkers on for the first time a tool that could easily induce a bit of improvement, it’s not impossible to see the son of Siyouni going well at a big price.