Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MOONLIT CLOUD (best price 9/2) posted some tasty numbers for the grade when winning at Nottingham last time out and although she faces a totally different test in terms of underfoot conditions in her bid to follow up, she has enough credit in the bank – including one over today’s C&D – to still make her a viable betting proposition at the morning odds. 

Returning to action after a patchy record during the winter all-weather campaign, Dean Ivory’s mare faced two rivals who went into the contest with solid form next to their names, but as it turned out, she readily put them in their place with a dominant display. 

Extremely strong in the latter stages of a well-run affair at the Midland circuit, it is worth noting she ran the last three furlongs quicker than the impressive novice stakes winner, Perfuse, over the same C&D, and having already proven herself over today’s course with a fine effort on her final outing last season, the daughter of Sea The Moon should give another solid account.

WAY OUT (best price 7/2) seemed to have matters in hand when nearest challenger Copshill lad fell at the last at Fakenham last time out a with that breakthrough success likely to provide a source of confidence he can carry forward through the summer jumping period, Syd Hosie’s gelding is fancied to follow up.

Although he ran some fine races in defeat during the winter, he sometimes did not appear to get home on soft ground, but that was not the case at the Suffolk venue 15 days ago. Having set a decent gallop from the start he was still pounding out the fractions right to the bitter end and his winning performance was highlighted by a useful speed figure and final lap sectionals. 

A gelding with plenty and size and scope, no doubt fences will become an option at some stage, but for now, the son of Getaway can carve a decent career for himself over hurdles, and he should prove dangerous off his current mark of 110 back in handicap company if left alone to row his own boat. 

TWO TEMPTING (best price 6/1) is not a prolific winner by any means, but he does have a particularly good record over today’s course and, following another solid effort another over the C&D two starts ago, Johnathan Portman’s gelding can enhance his stats here that read 22142.

Returning to the Sunbury track following a 226-day break, the four-year-old chestnut was up against some smart an in-form all-weather performers in a competitive field, but that did not stop him from running usual solid race, chasing home the highly regarded Assessment at the end of a well-run affair. 

Unable to run anywhere near the same level back on turf at Ascot subsequently after racing too freely in front, a return to his favourite patch should hopefully see him in a much better light having been gifted a handy inside draw.

Bridget Andrews must be credited for the fine job she has been doing since stable jockey Harry Skelton has been side-lined and CALLISTO’S KING (best price 3/1) looks to have a decent chance of providing her with another winner for the family. 

Still winless after eight starts, the six-year-old, however, produced his best performance at Exeter last time out, finishing a close-up fourth in what turned out to be a fair race of its kind. Keeping on at the one paced in the closing stages after holding every chance all the way down the straight, he left the impression a step up in trip might prove the answer further down the line and with connections seemingly coming to the same conclusion, his first attempt over three miles will hopefully yield a healthy return.

HAVING A BARNEY (best price 5/2) did not quite get home over a stiff 2m7f affair at Hexham last time out, but now back over a more suitable trip and flatter track, Mark Walford’s inmate is taken to continue the fine recent work of his stable (7-23 in last 14 days at 30%). 

Off the mark with a game victory at Ayr three starts ago, the son of Getaway just found one too good at Market Rasen next time and although his latest display may have suggested it was a backward step, a delve into the reasons why that may have seemed the case become clearer.

Firstly, the race in question 18 days ago was extremely well-run for the grade and secondly, he simply ran out of stamina after chasing the pace all the way down the back straight. With the third home from that race at the Borders venue nearly going on to boost the form back at the same track last night, confidence is high this six-year-old can do his own bit in a contest that does not appear to be full of too many obvious candidates.