Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MAN OF A’AN (best price 9/2) was never a factor on his debut at Kempton two months ago but, he did show more than enough in the closing stages to suggest he has the requisite ability to win races and, with today’s contest not regarded as one of the strongest maidens ever run, the son of Highland Reel can maintain the excellent recent run of his trainer (4/11). 

Already gelded prior to his opening gambit at the Sunbury venue, nothing much was expected of Harry Eustace’s inmate according to the market (20/1), and that was certainly the case in the early part of the contest. Languishing in the rear after a slow beginning, the son of Highland Reel still only had fresh air behind him as the field turned for the judge but in a final three-furlong surge, he managed to salvage something from a seemingly unpromising position to finish on the coat tails of the main players.

Considering that race 36 days ago was quite steadily run one, his performance inclosing down horses kicking off the front probably deserves more praise than it received at the time and with a pedigree which suggests he should prove more suitable to racing on the turf, a more prominent showing should be forthcoming from this stocky four-year-old.

POSITIVE THINKER (best price 8/1) found the significant step up in trip much more to his liking over fences here last time and with that overdue victory likely to initiate plenty of confidence going forward, Michael McDonagh’s gelding is fancied to go well again despite switching back to hurdles.
Just touched off by the useful Henning over two miles the time before, connections decided drastic measures were required if the son of Ocovango were to finally break his duck, but as it turned out, the extra mile he faced proved to be right up his alley.

Despite looking in a spot of bother as the aggressively-ridden Earth Furies kicked clear coming out of the back straight, the six-year-old impressed how he rolled up his sleeves in his bid to run down the front runner and with a good jump at the last, the momentum he gathered was enough to allow him to force his head in front close home. 

Not only has that deserved success cemented the belief that he requires a decent test of stamina, it’s also highlighted his immediate contention to today’s track and with a profile to suggest he’s likely to run his race more than most, he rates a decent each-way option at the morning odds. 

AFLOAT (best price 8/1) has improved in small increments with each run and with the latest of her three efforts by far and away her best, a chance is taken Rae Guest’s filly can make a bigger impact on handicap debut than her morning odds suggest. 

Knee deep in against some talented fillies on her opening bow over tonight’s C&D, she acquitted herself quite well considering the seismic task at hand, and it was similar story at Wolverhampton last time out. Sent off the 200/1 outsider in a seven-strong field, the daughter of Sea The Moon was seemingly not in any particular rush to chase plenty of highly-regarded sorts from powerful stables, but she did make up some notable late headway to finish just on the heels of the main players, which bodes well for her prospects going forward. 

Back to the scene of her opening gambit with a bit more valuable experience under her belt since, a mark of 66 seems a fair starting point from which to launch her assault in her new discipline.