Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

The first of many ultra-competitive handicaps at the six-day festival and it’s one that should see BRAZIL (best price 5/1) have a big say in the final outcome based on his overall level of form.

Winer of the Boodles Handicap at the Cheltenham festival two years ago, Padraig Roche’s gelding has enjoyed a fairly productive, if rather light, campaign over hurdles since and of those three subsequent outings, his biggest and most notable performance came when he beat the smart Fil D’Or in a Grade 3 at Gowran back in November.

Although beaten by his sole opponent, No Looking Back, at a higher level at Limerick on his most recent start over hurdles, trying to make the running in a tactical affair wouldn’t have played into his strengths, so a return to a big-field handicap where they should go a more generous gallop will aid his cause.

Catching the eye with the way he finished off his prep-race for this contest on the Flat at Leopardstown 20 days ago, the son of Galileo should be just about cherry-ripe for a crack at this valuable prize at a track where he’s gone well on both visits in the past and with most firms paying down to fifth place at the very least, he makes plenty of each-way appeal.

JOURNEY WITH ME (best price 11/4) has come a long way since falling on his chase debut at Gowran earlier in the campaign and with the prospect of even more to come now racing over three miles for the first time over fences, Henry De Bromhead’s gelding rates the percentage call in what has to go down as an intriguing contest.

Back on the bike after than fall with a victory at Naas, the seven-year-old chestnut was pitched into a competitive-looking Grade 3 over today’s track and although he ultimately found one too good in the shape of the top-class mare, Impervious, his effort in defeat still worked out as a career high.

Tempting though it may have been, the decision by connections to avoid both Cheltenham and Fairyhouse and come here fresh and well can only be viewed as the right one and with his preparation for his biggest test teed up nicely with a confidence-boosting victory over the smart Limerick Lace, everything looks set fair for a big effort from this progressive chaser.