Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MILLER SPIRIT (best price 10/1) has done more than enough on both his two starts to date to suggest there are races to be won with him and, while many will naturally presume those victories might come once he steps into handicap company further down the road, Gary Moore’s gelding can write his own script.

A promising fourth of nine at Goodwood last season, a gap of 236 days ensued until we saw him again at Chepstow recently and although he didn’t manage to better that finishing position, the opposition he faced and numbers he posted suggested he had taken a huge step forward.

Finishing off his race best of all from the rear of the field, the son of Australia was gaining ground hand over fist against horses who are expected to take high rank this season and considering he did so while still running green, his effort deserves extra merit.

Whatever his fate tonight, he is definitely going to improving with more experience but at the morning odds, he is well worth a small interest to see whether he is streetwise enough to flick on all the necessary switches in a race not too dissimilar to the one he faced 10 days ago.

FAST LOVE (best price 9/1) shaped with a huge amount of promise on her debut at Ripon 11 days ago and with just normal improvement, she is fancied to make an even bigger impact second time around.

In rear at halfway having run green throughout the early stages, Tim Easterby’s filly started to get the hang of things inside the final two furlongs and by the time she had hit the line, she was bearing down on the main players.

Having been slow away at the Yorkshire venue, hopefully she can break more alertly with that all-important experience under her belt and with today’s extra furlong and stiffer track also likely to aid her cause, a small each-way interest looks the order of the day.

CARRIGILLIHY (best price 7/1) is usually pretty reliable when running over tonight’s C&D and following another victory at his beloved Yorkshire venue last time, it is not beyond the realms of possibility he can go in again.

Carrying an unbeaten record of 3-3 heading into his latest encounter, Tim Easterby’s grey was well supported to keep his scorecard clean and although he put his supporters through the mixer in doing so, he left the impression he was always doing enough.

Time-wise, the race here 17 days ago was noted for its solid numbers and with the runner-up going on to boost the form at Haydock last week, hope is high this likeable five-year-old will follow suit.

LUCID DREAMS (NAP) (best price 5/2) probably didn’t beat much at Ballinrobe last time out, but he couldn’t have won any easier and with the strong possibility that John Ryan’s gelding may turn out to be more than just a summer jumping type, he can continue his progression in this useful-looking rated event.

Having shown useful form in his two previous outings, both in a bumper and over hurdles, the son of Arcadio was a warm order to make it third time lucky in a maiden at the Co Mayo venue and at no stage did he ever provide his supporters with an anxious moment.

Still on the bridle turning for home, he really began to open up his stride once facing the judge and in a short space of time, he pulled readily clear of his nearest pursuers. Clocking a smart time figure without being fully tested, the eight-year-old clearly harbours plenty of talent and although tonight’s test will provide him with plenty more to think about, confidence is high he will prove equal to the task.