Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Surely one of the most fascinating and wide-open Derby’s of recent times with cases to be made for so many on various lines of form. Based on the clock, though, the two best trials were The Dante Stakes at York and The Lingfield Derby Trial run five days earlier and with the former seemingly the stronger contest of the pair in terms of depth, a chance is taken on WHITE BIRCH (best price 12/1) being the pick of the trio who rock up from the Knavesmire. 

A shock 22/1 winner of the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown previously, connections were clearly out to see whether the son of Ulysses was a bona fide Derby contender by sending him over the Irish Sea to chance his arm against some of the best the British could offer and, as it turned out, he totally justified his boat fare. 

Like how he was ridden at the Dublin venue after a slow start, John Murphy’s grey bided his time in the rear through the early stages and then when asked to go and engage with the main players, he passed all but The Foxes inside the final three furlongs. Coming out best on the closing sectionals, he proved that he is well suited to finishing strongly off a sound pace and with the likelihood that he will improve even more for a step up in trip, he rates a confident choice to hit the frame at the very least.

Passenger is another who must come into the equation based on his performance in the Dante, it is just a question of whether his lack of experience catches him out. That said, if Sir Michael Stoute’s thinks he is ready who are we to argue, and there is no doubt the ability is there. 

Military Order impressed both with the manner of his victory at Lingfield – finding plenty for pressure - and on the clock and he has drifted out to a price whereby he is now becoming a really tempting each-way proposition. 

STUMPS OR SLIPS (NAP) (best price 3/1) needed every yard of the two miles he raced over at Warwick last time out and with today’s extra half a mile almost certain to bring about further improvement from Tom Weston’s gelding, he can continue to back up the view that he remains a well-treated horse for the summer jumping period. 

Extremely well supported at the Midland venue considering he was pulled up on his previous outing, the six-year-old chestnut was not necessarily looking like he was going to land the gamble coming out of the back straight 37 days ago, but he managed to turned things around with a devastating late burst and in the end, he ultimately won a shade cosily.

Clearly a horse who appreciates fast ground at this time of year, this unexposed chaser has a profile which is hard to escape from in a race of this nature. 

PROSPER LEGEND (best price 7/2) took advantage of a decent opportunity presented at his feet at Catterick last time out and with every stride he took in the latter stages the better he looked, a further step up in trip should see James Ferguson’s grey go close on handicap debut. 

A beaten favourite on soft ground at Nottingham previously, the son of Australia was out to avenge that defeat upped in trip and on a totally different surface at the Yorkshire venue and even though his odds suggested it would have been a surprise if he failed to deliver the goods, he still won in the style of a horse who looked to have a bright future.

Good on the clock to boot, he has been handed the sort of mark which he could easily leave well behind as the season progresses and over today’s galloping track, he is expected to start that journey through the ranks.

DERRACRIN (best price 9/4) demonstrated a real appreciation for a step back up in trip over today’s C&D last time out and with seemingly plenty in his favour on his return to the Borders venue, Barry Murtagh’s gelding looks to have all bases covered in his repeat bid. 

A little underwhelming on soft ground at Perth the time before, connections decided to scrap the idea of two miles over hurdles in the short term and on the evidence of what occurred 11 days ago, the move turned out to be an inspired one. 

Despite one or two novicey jumps in the early stages, the six-year-old still arrived at the last fence going best of all and although he had to be pushed out to assert his superiority on the run-in, he was always comfortably holding his rivals at bay. 

Likely to improve significantly now he knows more about jumping fences, the ex-Willie Mullins-trained chestnut can once again come out on top. 

CHANCER DANCER (best price 13/2), fitted with the first-time tongue-tie, ran her best race over hurdles so far to date at Down Royal last time out and representing a yard that does quite well with the runners they have sent to today’s track in the past, she can keep up that useful record for her Co Derry handler.
Having only shown a modicum of ability in a handful maidens and handicaps alike, it was hard to argue with her 66-1 starting price in a competitive arena at the Co Down venue, but despite her unconvincing profile, she managed to perform way beyond expectations. 

Staying on well from the back of the field, she kept on strongly all the way to the line to finish a never-nearer fourth and as two of the three head of her that day have both gone on to score since, a repeat of something similar should see her competitive in this sort of environment here today.