Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

CRYSTAL DELIGHT (best price 11/1) has long left the impression a big pot is well within his compass and with today’s galloping track likely to play into his strengths, William Jarvis’ chestnut has an ideal opportunity to make the breakthrough he deserves.

Runner up on his last three starts, the imposing four-year-old has rather ruined his chances by racing a little too freely in the early stages at Lingfield and Newmarket more recently but it’s to his great credit that he has still managed to obtain the positions he has despite shooting himself in the foot.

Clearly trying to get as much cover through the first half a mile at HQ last time, his jockey, Jim Crowley, gave up the unequal struggle and sent his mount over to the far side of the track in the hope the son of New Approach would switch off and although that manoeuvre worked in part, it still meant he did not have enough left in the locker to repel the late challenge of the more conservatively ridden Teumessias Fox.

Drawn stall 13 today, hopefully he will be dropped in from his outside peg in order to give him a better chance of settling and preserving his energy and if those tactics work the oracle in the early exchanges, there is every chance he will prove a big player at the business end.

CREATIVE FORCE (best price 3/1) looked on good terms with himself at Haydock last weekend and with fitness on his side, Charlie Appleby’s inmate is fancied to improve his profile as one of the best sprinters in the land.

Looking badly in need of the run in what turned out to be a tactically run affair on his return to action at Newmarket back in April, the five-year-old was given an altogether more aggressive ride at the Merseyside venue four days ago and, as it transpired, those tactics worked in his favour.

Quickening well off the front, he ran the last three furlongs in an eye-popping 33.8 and with his overall time figure also speaking favourably of his performance, the evidence of that run suggests he is clearly back to something like his best.

Unlucky not to land the Breeder’s Cup Sprint in Keeneland last season, he had one of today’s main fancies, Highfield Princess, well beaten off that day, and providing he takes to the Knavesmire at the first time of asking, this ever-reliable character is fancied to confirm the form with his old rival.

COCO JACK (best price 8/1) ran better than his finishing position suggested at Haydock last time out and having gone well on his only previous visit on the Knavesmire, George Scott’s likeable three-year-old can make a bigger impact than his morning odds imply.

Slowly away from his wide draw at the Merseyside track, the four-year-old was soon on the back foot and, as the race developed, it was apparent he wasn’t in the best position to strike when the tempo increased towards the backend of the contest. Despite finishing off his race with plenty of purpose down the outside, he could not get on terms with the four who kicked off the front, but he did still manage to beat five others who were ahead of him as the field turned for home, which is a definite feather in his cap.

Since then, the winner, Racingbreaks Ryder and Conservationist have both gone on to advertise the form and having finished a creditable third over today’s C&D in a valuable sales last season, it will be a little disappointing if he is not involved back to the scene of that effort.

Both BREEZY ZOFF (best price 14/1) and LADY ARWEN (best price 12/1) ran a good deal better than the bare result suggests at The Curragh last time out with each likely to be seen in an even better light now stepping up a furlong, they are taken against the field.

The former had won over seven furlongs on heavy ground towards the backend of the previous season, so it was always likely she would find the drop back in trip catching her out. She did, however, finish off her race with some purpose inside the final furlong and with that all-important run under her belt, hope is high Gavin Cromwell’s filly can take the required step forward.

The latter is also known for her exploits over further, so it was no surprise either to see her flashing home from an unpromising position at halfway. Considering it was also her first outing for over a year she did remarkably well in the circumstances and having dropped down to what appears a favourable mark, the daughter of Postponed can make her presence felt at the business end.