Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

SWEETEST ROSE (best price 5/2), frustratingly, has yet to win a race after six attempts, but she has shown more than enough each time to suggest it will not be too long before everything clicks into place and with today’s trip seen as a strong positive in her direction, a good clean break from stall two will make her hard to catch.

Headed towards the finish after cutting out strong fractions on her seasonal bow at Limerick two months ago, Ger Lyons’ filly attempted similar tactics at Naas last time out, but as it turned out, she was unable to keep up the gallop over a stiff mile and she ended up getting picked off by two stronger stayers in the closing stages. 

Although her handler is still not hitting the ball out of the mark by any manner of means, he has shown in the last week or so, his team are beginning to stop the rot, and with his runner here having a run style that strongly points towards her early speed being a big asset around today’s tight circuit, the daughter of Dark Angel can further ease his woes. 

ARRYCAN (best price 12/1) was fully entitled to need the run after a 213-day layoff over today’s C&D last time out and with that all-important spin likely to have a significant impact on his fitness on his return visit, Liam Cusack’s gelding can uphold his decent overall record at the Co Westmeath venue. 

Although never nearer than at the finish 23 days ago, the nine-year-old did more than enough to suggest he could be in for another productive campaign to the one he enjoyed last summer, and it is worth pointing out two of his best previous performances – including a victory – were over today’s C&D. 

Dropping down in class and with the ground more in his favour, the son of Arakan looks to have been underestimated in the market and, he deserves to be played accordingly. 

LIPA K (NAP) (best price 2/1) came from an uncompromising position to land a competitive affair at Ludlow last time out and a repeat of a similar level of form should see Evan Williams’ gelding go close to completing his hat trick. 

Revitalised since coming out of the depths of winter, the five-year-old got the ball rolling with a convincing victory at Warwick in March and following a two-month break, he proved equally effective in a better-quality race at the Shropshire venue. In what turned out to be a strongly run affair 26 days ago, he was left alone to do his own thing in the rear until being brought through with a well-timed challenge at the second last and from that juncture, he stayed on best of all to win going away with a little bit more up his sleeve than the bare result suggests.

Already, the form has begun to take shape with the fourth home, Galata Bridge, scoring at Uttoxeter last weekend and with a decent pace likely to be set courtesy of Glimpse Of Gold being today’s line-up, the son of Mamool should have the race set up to a nicety.