Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DESIGNER (best price 5/1) shaped as though the run would do her the world of good in a quality filles listed contest at Bath last time out and safe in the knowledge that she has already proven her liking for today’s track, she gains a confident vote in her bid to repeat last season’s success here.

The daughter of Pearl Secret ran a series of solid races last term once connections settled on the idea of racing her exclusively over the minimum trip and based on her effort at the Somerset venue 27 days ago, she looks like she is going to carry on where she left off.

Racing prominently early from her unfavourable draw, she managed to keep up with the main players until just getting a bit tired in the soft ground late on, but when you consider the speed figure and subsequent form shown by some of the beaten horses in behind – mainly Nymphadora – her effort must go down as close to a career high.

Really good both on the eye and the clock when she romped to victory on her only start on the Knavesmire, she looks to have been handed a decent draw given what happened here yesterday and a good break should see her play a prominent role throughout.

This season’s renewal of The Thirsk Hunt Cup looks a solid piece of form and NORTHERN EXPRESS (best price 7/1) and EILEAN DUBH (best price 10/1) are fancied to fly the flag for that quality handicap with distinction.

The former came out on top at the Yorkshire venue, and it was a victory he had been threatening for quite some time. The way he travelled before sealing the deal with a smart turn of foot signified a horse right on top of his game at present and you would expect him to have some sort of involvement here if in anywhere near the same form. Moreover, he has strong track form and ground to suit so he rates one of the logical starting points.

The latter has also enjoyed quite a bit of success on the Knavesmire and, having shape well in the same race 12 days ago, Karl Burke’s inmate is a must for the shortlist.

Although he could not go with the main players late on, he did more than enough to suggest he is edging towards something like his best and on today’s better ground, he holds every chance of winning at this meeting for the second time in succession.

WALBANK (best price 9/2) was one of the preeminent sprinters of his generation until injury intervened midway through last season, but with his preparation for today’s race going according to plan based on the vibes from his connections, David Loughnane’s colt can begin the slow process to get his name back in the limelight.

Finding one too good in the shape of the top-class Noble Style on his debut at Ascot, the son of Kodiac looked to have w golden opportunity to go one place better over today’s C&D a month later and as his odds suggested, he made light work of the opposition.

Sent to Royal Ascot a warm order to land the Norfolk Stakes off the back of that victory, he could not quite contain the late burst of shock winner, The Ridler, but his performance at least proved he belonged at the very highest level.

Third behind the smart pair Trillium and Rocket Rodney on his final start of the campaign, he now returns to the Knavesmire with a clean bill of health with every chance of making his presence felt from what appears a decent draw.

MAID IN LONDON (best price 11/2) created a favourable impression when landing a useful fillies’ contest at Wolverhampton last time out and providing she can translate the same level of form to grass, Hugo Palmer’s inmate has a decent chance of being competitive on handicap debut.

Fourth on her only start as a two-year-old, the chestnut filly returned to action after a 164-day break to contest what looked a strong race on paper, but despite being up against many well-regarded types, she came through with flying colours. Impressing with the way she stayed on in the latter stages, the daughter of Roaring Lion won with more up her sleeve than the bare result suggested and, having been handed what appears a workable mark of 76, today’s opposition should be well within her compass.