Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

RAASEL (best price 5/1), like so many others, ended up being pretty ineffective due to the draw in the Temple Stakes over today’s C&D last time out but, with the strong possibility of this race offering more of a level playing field on that front (middle to far side seemed okay here last night), Michael Appleby’s inmate has a decent chance of repeating last year’s win.

One of the most improved sprinters in training over the last two seasons, the son of Showcasing indicated he still has plenty to offer at a high level with his fine comeback effort in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket but due to circumstances out of his control, he was unable to run anywhere the same standard at the Merseyside venue two weeks ago.

On a day when those housed on the stands side rail dominated, the six-year-old ended up caught out on a limb on the other side of the track and, as a result, he only had three behind him at the finish.

Better judged on his decisive victory here twelve months ago and many other top-quality performances in classier events than the one he faces today; it would come as no surprise if he bounces back to his best form under ideal conditions.

ALFA MOONSTONE (best price 11/1) proved to be a totally different proposition at Catterick last time out to the one we saw on debut and with the most significant factor to that performance seemingly the fast ground, similar conditions today’s can see Craig Lidster’s filly easily outrun her odds.

Never a factor on soft ground at Chester after totally missed the kick, the daughter of Havana Grey went on a recovery mission at the Yorkshire venue two weeks later and, after being extremely well backed in the pre-race market, she duly landed some tidy bets with a performance of some merit. Unlike on the Roodee, she was alertly away and soon into her stride and having set a strong gallop from the outset, she maintained those solid fractions all the way to the line.

Clocking a smart speed figure in the process, she now deserves to take in something more substantial and with today’s fast ground seen as a massive positive to her chance given the way she flicks out her toe, this pacey juvenile should give some of those with a bigger reputation something to think about.

AZAHARA PALACE (NAP) (best price 2/1) shaped with a good deal more promise than the bare result suggested on debut at Windsor 19 days ago and with today’s race seen as a fairly weak affair in comparison, Hughie Morrison’s filly can make the long trek up north a worthwhile exercise.

Sent off 50/1 at the Berkshire venue, the daughter of Adaay was soon in a position where she was unlikely to prove her starting price a false one, but she was noted making some sterling late headway from the back of the field to finish just in behind some of the main players and it is that ability she exhibited which makes her an interesting proposition this afternoon.

Even in finishing a never-nearer eighth of 13, her time figure still comes out extremely favourably against the majority of today’s field and with the strong possibility of improvement to come, a decent break this time around should see her much more competitive at the business end.

A strange race in many respects with several of the competitors hard to quantify at present, so it might well be that BOARDMAN (best price 8/1) is capable of causing a surprise with conditions and track knowledge in his favour.  

The seven-year-old has taken a while to find his feet this season, but he looked better than ever when landing the same seven-furlong handicap at Chester for the third consecutive year last time out and on the evidence of that display, he is definitely worth a crack at pattern level.

Best when held up and allowed to come through late off a strong gallop, today’s contest should provide him with the perfect platform to execute those tactics with The Wizard Of Eye in the line-up and at the morning prices, he is well worth a small interest.

MIDNIGHT JEWEL (best price 4/1) was fully entitled to need the run after a 196-day break at Southwell last time out and with that all-important outing likely to have brought Charlie Longsdon’s gelding’s fitness levels back up to scratch, he should turn out to be more competitive now reverting back to fences.

Holding every chance leaving the back straight at the Midland venue, it soon became apparent he was struggling to keep tabs on the pace setters and that fact was also recognised by pilot Lily Pinchin as she eased her mount down on the run-in once out of contention for a podium finish.

Hopefully much straighter this afternoon, the seven-year-old returns to the scene of his last success over today’s C&D back in September and with conditions to suit, a big run should be forthcoming.