Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

TOTNES (best price 7/2) just did not quite have the basic speed to go with the main players in the final furlong of a well-contested affair over a mile at Newmarket but with connections soon recognising that a step up in trip may prove the order of the day, Andrew Balding’s filly is fancied to return to winnings ways.

A dual winner on the all-weather since returning to action in March, the daughter of Kingman was pitched in to what looked a viciously competitive handicap against the males at HQ 24 day ago and even though she could only finish fourth of the 11-strong field, the figure she posted in defeat suggested she had managed to produce a career high.

To labour the point, the second, third and fifth (won) have all gone on to boost the form since and from a dam who should impart plenty of stamina into her game, she rates reasonable value at the morning odds.

Mark McNiff’s runners are always worth a second look at his local track (13 winners since 2019), and STAGING POST (best price 5/1) appears to have a decent chance of adding to that tall for the Strandhill handler.

Extremely well backed to defy a 62-day break in a competitive handicap at Wexford recently, the seven-year-old made a brave attempt to justify his position in the market but unfortunately, he came up a little short and had to contend with a place finish behind the cosy winner, Away To Milan.

That said, the data from the Battyville Park track showed the first three home ran a time figure on-par with the opening novice event won by the 123-rated As Tears Go By, so with that in mind, the seven-year-old should have every chance of adding to his course bumper victory if running to a similar level.

FLOREY SPUD (best price 4/1) shaped better than the bare result suggested at Tipperary last time out and with the distinct likelihood of improvement to come after his first outing for 236 days, the eight-year-old may finally record his first career success.

Still last with a circuit to run at the Limerick Junction track, he picked off fading rivals one by one in the final mile and although he couldn’t quite maintain his effort to gain some reward for endeavours, his sterling performance given the circumstances needed upgrading.

Although likely to be given a patient ride again this evening, hopefully he won’t be set the mountain he had to climb 26 days ago and if so, he has the ability to definitely land a race of this nature.