Andy Holding is back with four tips from today's action, with runners at Chepstow and Fairyhouse.
15:10 Chepstow
NOT AVAILABLE (best price 4/1) got rather sunk in the mud at Newbury last time out, but with conditions this afternoon set to ride a good deal more favourably for Matt Sheppard’s gelding, he’s fancied to rebound back in the right direction.
A cosy winner at Wincanton three starts ago, the eight-year-old was well-supported in his bid to follow up over today’s C&D next time out and even though he faced the heady heights of Class 2 company, he proved more than equal to the task with a career-high performance.
Never in the same sort of rhythm on a miserable day the Berkshire venue last time out, the son of Milan at least kept on well in determined fashion when he could have easily completely throw in the towel and with visor on today replacing his usual blinkers, the change of headgear might just be the catalyst he requires.
15:15 Fairyhouse
WAITTILLITELLYOU (best price 16/1) ran out a really impressive winner of a competitive Cork handicap on testing ground last time out and with conditions set to be pretty demanding again given the forecast for more rain, Ed Cawley’s gelding can make a bigger impact than his odds suggest.
Very lightly-raced, the nine-year-old has, in only five handicaps, proved that he can handle the rough and tumble of a big field and with his victory at Navan last February a precursor to future events, it came as no surprise to see him repeat the dose in a similar contest at the Mallow venue 18 days ago.
Spotted travelling strongly from a good way from home, he was still on the bridle on the run down to the second last and even though his only main threat at the time, West Breeze, made his job a little easier when capsizing at that juncture, he still left the impression he had loads in the tank had there been another challenger.
Runner-up over today’s course previously, he could ideally do with a smidge further, but with his high cruising speed and ability to stay well seen as two positive attributes, career win number three isn’t totally out of the question.
17:00 Fairyhouse
The overriding impression left by the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival was it was probably one of the best versions of the big amateur rider race run in recent times and with ANGELS DAWN (best price 10/1) and STUMPSTOWN (best price 8/1) set to renew rivalry 25 days on from their epic battle up the famous hill, the pair are taken against the field.
The former was a popular choice for many – especially in the ante-post markets – after universally been excepted as an unlucky loser at Punchestown the time before and she duly delivered the goods by staying on strongly to defeat her fellow compatriot in a driving finish.
The feature of her display was how well she travelled throughout and providing she can avoid the odd mistake here and there which sometimes does creep into her game, Sam Curling’s mare has the ability to be another winner of this prize in recent times for a smaller stable.
The latter was also a warm order to land his second prize on UK soil but despite posting a career-high effort, he ultimately came up just a little short on the day for legion of supporters. In the same way as the winner, he went through the race like a well-handicapped horse and there was certainly no shame to be edged out of the argument close home by a rival who clearly is right on the top of her game.
Although he handles soft ground well enough, slightly better conditions does seem to help his jumping and with his latest display proving he can handle a big-field chase run at a proper gallop, Gavin Cromwell’s inmate has plenty in his favour down the foot of the weights.
