Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Quaresome is likely to take some beating from the all-conquering McCain/Hughes combination, but if there is to be a shock, FIVE DOLLAR FINE (best price 6/1) might be the one to provide it.

A long way off the pace in the early stages of a competitive handicap at Hexham last time out, Ann Hamilton’s gelding worked himself into a position where he held every chance going down to the last, but unfortunately the exertions to get there finally took its toll late on and he ended up finishing just outside the money.

Prior to that decent effort, its worth noting that two of his best performances on form and based on the clock came over today’s course against the likes of useful novices’ Passing Well and Snake Roll and a repeat of something similar should see him hit the frame at the very least.

JAZZ SAMBA (best price 5/1) scored in the style of a horse who showed a fair bit of improvement from three to four over today’s course last time out and, with an extra furlong to travel seen as a positive step, Michael & David Easterby’s filly can follow up on her return visit.

Arriving at the Yorkshire venue off a 268-day break and with a profile which suggested she had taken a few backward steps since finishing a good second over the C&D on her second career outing, it was hard to imagine she would win in the manner she did 15 days ago, but with the data suggesting everything about the performance was genuine, it is easy to make a strong case for her to repeat the dose.

A decent over time figure was complemented by the quickest last three-furlong sectionals on the seven-race card and with the handicapper seeing fit to only slightly adjust her rating, it will go down as an opportunity missed if she fails to capitalise.

STICKYOURNECKOUT (best price 5/1) came home in eye-catching fashion at Sligo last time out and with connections willing to send the son of Estidhkaar all the way over the Irish Sea to contest this low-grade race worth just 3k to the winner, the hint deserves to be heeded.

After a series of poor performances in handicaps on home soil last season, he did, however, hint of better times ahead with his final start at the Curragh last season and on the evidence of his display at the Cleveragh Road venue on his first outing for 189 days, he still appears to be heading in the right direction.

Last with three furlongs to run 16 days ago, Johnny Levins’ gelding gradually picked off his rivals one by one on the climb up the hill and in the home straight and by the time he had hit the line, he was breathing down the neck of the main players.

On the evidence of that display, he looks to be crying out for further than the five-and-a-half furlongs he encountered that day and with today’s contest a far cry from some of the horses he has been taking on in Ireland, the 16-race maiden can go close to shedding that unwanted tag.

Two improving three-year-olds in the shape of WHISKEY ON THE HILL (best price 2/1) and Tea Olive lock horns and because of his proven track form, the former receives the slight vote.

Ado McGuinness’ gelding hinted of better times ahead with his eye-catching effort at Cork the time before and he duly backed up that view with his success over today’s C&D last time out.

Coming through strongly at the end of a well-run affair, the son of Ribchester seemed to appreciate the stiffer examination he encountered and even though he looks like he will do even better over further in time, he is more than capable of doing further damage at this distance for the time being.