Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

ABAYA DU MATHAN (best price 4/1) was always likely to struggle over a trip short of his best here last time out – even more so with the fences in the home straight omitted – but now reverting to the same C&D that saw him run out a convincing winner three starts ago, David Pipe’s inmate can continue his consistent run of form.

Adopting his usual front running duties at the Welsh venue, the 11-year-old took the field along at a decent pace until turning for home and with the race then developing into a test of speed down the straight, there was no great shock to see him lack the necessary requirements in what basically turned into a foot race.

Runner-up to the in-form and improving Jigginstown Boy at Fakenham previously, the form of that race has been boosted by the winner and the fifth since and with the son of Al Namix likely to make it a decent test if nothing else is prepared to go forward, he should have every chance of winning at the track for the third time under conditions he loves.

KERKIYRA (best price 2/1) has yet to put in a bad shift in ten career starts and with her most recent effort at The Curragh likely to have brought Johnny Murtagh’s filly a ton in terms of fitness, she is fancied to finally get her head in front for the first time (in three previous attempts) over today’s course.

Having proven herself fully effective over distances up to 1m4f last season, a mile on her first start for 161 days was always likely to prove in insufficient test and that turned out to be the case at the Co Kildare venue, as she could only keep on at the one pace in the closing stages.

That said, it was still an encouraging enough run from the daughter of Siyouni and now back at a more realistic level over a trip and ground she prefers (runner-up in a similar contest here last season), a more productive outcome is anticipated. The improving Moon De Vega, who exhibited a smart turn of foot to score on her seasonal bow, looks the obvious threat.

INDEPENDENT EXPERT (best price 5/1) failed to get the breaks at the crucial moments at Naas last time out but at least it was another run to suggest she is heading in the right direction this season, and she looks primed to go well again over a trip which is threatening to be her optimum.

Settled nicely on the rails in midfield as the runners turned for home at the Co Kildare track, Andrew Slattery’s filly unfortunately found herself trapped in a pocket until well inside the final furlong and by then, the front two had flown.

The way she finished off her race, however, indicated it may well have been a different story had she gained a clear run sooner and with conditions almost identical to what they were 18 days ago, she should give another honest account.