Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

OVERRULE (best price 2/1) did have the benefit of jumping on to the best part of the track when scoring in decisive fashion at Redcar towards the backend of last season, but either way, he was still quite impressive in the scheme of things and hopefully today will prove to be another step in the right direction for Karl Burke’s colt.

Shaping as though the run would do him good the world of good both mentally and physically over today’s C&D on debut (just got tired late on after being keen in the early stages), he was extremely well supported to back up that view at the Yorkshire venue a few weeks later and, after breaking alertly to lead over on the favoured far rail through the early stages, he never looked like relinquishing the advantage.

How fit he will be on his return to action after 152 days off the track remains to be seen, but he does have proven form on testing conditions and over today’s course on his side, so a chance is taken he can overcome his hiatus and cope with Striking Star, who has a poor draw and hated heavy ground when last seen.

FIRST OFFICER (best price 3/1) hasn’t taken to the all-weather during the winter as well as connections would have liked, but his three runs will have at least served the purpose of keeping him fit and, now back on a surface he prefers, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s inmate is fancied to resurrect his profile.

Wildly impressive both visually and on the clock when making all the running on stable debut at Nottingham last October, the four-year-old was extremely well backed to supplement those gains over today’s C&D next time but, after not quite getting the race run to suit, he failed to land the gamble to the tune of a nose.

Back on Town Moor to contest the November Handicap on his final run of the campaign, he arguably put up a career-best performance in finishing a creditable fourth behind Metier and with conditions likely to be pretty similar for his return visit based on the action on the first day of the meeting, his proven stamina and track from should hopefully stand him in good stead.