Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

EL MUCHACHO (best price 9/2) stayed on well enough in the closing stages at Bangor last time out to suggest he has a future beyond two miles and with today’s test providing a decent opportunity to back up that view, Milton Harris’ grey can reward solid each-way support.

A dual winner earlier in the season over the minimum trip, the son of Walk In The Park faced the prospect of a whole half a mile further at the Welsh venue last time out and in what turned out to be a reasonably-run affair, he kept on well from two out to finish a creditable third to the useful Jungle jack (ran well at Aintree this week).

Although both his two victories came on soft ground, he’s more than capable of performing to a decent level under quicker conditions and with a cruising speed to suggest he’s likely to be going as well as anything turning for home, it’ll be just a case of whether he can finish the job off in the latter stages.

Time Tells All was always likely to be a popular choice second time around following his promising debut effort at Navan on his debut, but whether the overall level of form of that maiden at the Co Meath venue entitles him to be quite so short in the betting is open to debate (very slow time figure). 
Both Cape Bridgewater and Deakin will also have their supporters, but the one they all might have to be all wary of is BRIGHT LEGEND (best price 6/1) who shaped with an equal amount of encouragement on his opening bow over today’s track. 

Not expected to cut much ice judged on the market here 22 days ago, his starting price of 25-1 must have quadrupled when he fell out of the stalls and lost at least five lengths on the field, but to fair to the son of Zoustar, he didn’t make a bad job of the latter part of the race and it’s those closing stages that offer up plenty of hope for the future. 

Despite not obtaining the clearest of runs inside the final two furlongs, Fozzy Stack’s inmate finished off his race with enough purpose to suggest he has a decent amount of ability and with the likes of Something Nice and Broadhurst already advertising the form of the race in a positive vein subsequently, a chance is taken he can follow suit over a trip that should play into his strengths.

WICK GREEN (NAP) (best price 3/1) has clearly been revitalised since joining his current yard and following a brave effort up against subsequent winner Imperial Joe at Taunton last time out, there’s a decent chance Ben Pauling’s gelding can regain the wining theme. 

A multiple winner in the point-to-point field, the 10-year-old never really translated that sort of form under rules for old connections, but since switching to his new Naunton Downs base, he looks back in the zone. 
A convincing winner at Ffos Las on his first start for 277 days, he followed that up by an even better effort on the figures at the West Country venue last time out and under similar conditions here today, he can come out on top against many opponents either out of form or just badly treated.

LAUGH A MINUTE (best price 11/2) is certainly no spring chicken, but he still proved he retains all his enthusiasm when making a winning return to the turf here last time out and, in the hope he can run to a similar standard over a furlong further on his return visit, Ado McGuinness’ gelding gains the vote at the morning odds. 

Bumped up to a mark of 101 following a victory at the Co Kildare venue the previous year, the eight-year-old was presented with the sort of chance by the handicapper he found to good resist on his return to the scene of that convincing success. The way he went through the race here 22 days ago suggested he’s a horse right on top of his game and not for the first time, he exhibited a preference for genuinely testing ground. 

Although he does stay seven furlongs, he’s probably better over shorter trips and with fitness on his side and conditions once again in his favour, the veteran can more than hold his own in this sort of company.