Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A wide open and tricky-to-solve mares’ only handicap hurdle facing punters, but there is a strong case to be made for FRUIT BLOSSOM (best price 10/1) having some of the strongest form lines to call on and for that reason, she looks seriously underestimated in the early morning exchanges.

A comfortable winner of a similar contest to the one she faces today at Wexford two starts ago, the fitting of the first-time cheekpieces seen as the catalyst to her improvement, she went on to run a decent race in a strong handicap at Ballinrobe last time out, finishing a close fourth against the boys.

Keeping on well in the closing stages despite racing on the slowest part of the track up the inside, Gordon Elliott’s mare maintained her consistent run of fine efforts of late and with the speed figure she posted that day suggesting she had posted a career high; she can hopefully carry a similar kind of performance back to a track where she has gone well in the past.

CHARLIE LUCIANO (best price 5/1) was a shade disappointing at Leopardstown on the Flat the other night but, in the hope a return to hurdles sparks him back into life, Noel Meade’s gelding is worth another chance to continue his progression in this sphere.

Placed in two of his first three attempts in juvenile hurdles, the son of Bobby’s Kitten struggle on genuine winter ground against the likes of Zarak The Brave at Fairyhouse back in November, but after a break and presented with more favourable conditions at Kilbeggan five months later, he was able to get off the mark for the first time over timber.

Only nudged up slightly in the ratings despite that easy success, the four-year-old gets to race off what looks a workable mark of 109 and with conditions hopefully not too testing here this afternoon, he should be capable of making his presence felt.

VELVET AND VINE (best price 10/1) shaped with a good deal more promise than the bare result suggested on her debut at Naas a month ago and with the strong possibility she will take a huge leap forward from that initial experience, Ger Lyon’s filly can make a bigger impact this time around.

Slow away from a wide draw at the Co Kildare venue, she still found herself in last position as the field turned for home, but she did catch the eye with the way she finished off her race in the final three furlongs and it is that backend work that can be used as a strong platform from which to build here today.

With both the second and third winning recently, the form looks decent in the context of today’s race and with the extra yardage she faces expected to aid her cause, it would be slightly disappointing if she was not in the mix despite her morning odds suggesting otherwise.

TRUSTYOURINSTINCT (NAP) (best price 2/1) overcame a significant amount of greenness to make a winning debut at The Curragh on his debut and even though he faces a totally different type of opponent in terms of overall nous, Joseph O’Brien’s colt has enough pure ability to counteract that slight worry.

Well-backed to make a winning debut at the Co Kildare track, the son of Churchill not only fluffed the start to put himself on the back foot, but he also raced with his head a little awkwardly when his pilot was trying to get him organised.

However, despite not making life easy for himself, he managed to conjure up a smart turn of foot to justify his position in the market and with the backend splits comparing favourable with some of the sprinters earlier on the card, it is clear he has a decent engine.

Entitled to come on a bundle for that initial display, he simply may prove too good for today’s opponents if he ends up being half as good as connections believe.