Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

THE DARA MAN (best price 11/4) was painfully run out of the argument by the patiently ridden Pakens Rock at Kilbeggan last time out but, with the numbers suggesting he ran close to his career best, another chance is afforded John Ryan’s gelding to make amends.

Setting off in typically purposeful fashion at the Leinster venue, the eight-year-old led the field a merry dance until the dying embers of the contest but the fact that himself and the winner pulled well clear of the in-form and previously impressive C&D scorer, Too Bright, gives us some idea about the quality of the form.

Unlikely to letting his foot off the gas again here this afternoon, the son of Stowaway can gain his due rewards for recent endeavours.

THE EYE OF TULLA (best price 9/2) has showed his talents at a variety of trips in recent times and with today’s 2m4f journey arguably his optimum, the seven-year-old can maintain his fine levels of consistency.

A winner at Limerick over the minimum trip two starts ago, the seven-year-old was rather surprisingly asked to race over three miles at Punchestown last time out, but to his great credit he only found one to good in the shape of the strong-finishing Outside The Door.

A sound jumper with an attitude to match, there seems no obvious reason why Brian McMahon’s gelding won’t give another solid account with plenty seemingly in his favour.

PICTURE OF A CITY (best price 7/2) was in a particularly tenacious mood at Down Royal last time out and with the sporting of first-time cheekpieces seemingly the catalyst for his improved state of mind, Andrew Oliver’s inmate rates a strong choice to keep the bandwagon rolling.

Placed on all four of his previous starts this season, the three-year-old was very well supported to finally get his lucky break and, in what turned out to be a strongly run affair at the Co Down venue, he showed a smart turn of foot to assume command over a furlong point before going well clear in the closing stages.

Always well regarded by connections, he is now starting to live up to his early reputation based on the most recent evidence and over a track that should play into his strengths (stiff uphill climb for last three furlongs), he should be a danger to all if he obtains a nice early position from stall 2.

KINGSWOOD (best price 9/2) has twice given the impression this season he is a horse of some potential and over a trip that threatens to suit him right down to the ground, the three-year-old grey is fancied to back up that viewpoint.

Off the mark at the third time of asking on his seasonal bow at Cork back in April, John O’Donoghue’s colt impressed with the way he strode out to the line to pull nicely clear of some useful types and it was a platform from which a tilt at Group 3 was built next time out at The Curragh.

Tracking the steady pace turning for home at the Co Kildare venue, the son of Roaring Lion still had at least five lengths to make up in the relatively short straight but, putting in a power-packed finish, he managed to whittle the deficit down to half a length at the line.

Leaving the distinct impression 37 days ago he was probably pound-for-pound the best horse in the race, he now gets another chance at a similar level and, with a pedigree and way of going that suggests he should eat up another two furlongs, this promising three-year-old can more than hold his own against some more established performers.

LINE OF DESCENT (best price 5/2) arrives here in a rich vein of form, only defeated once in his last four starts, and with the latest of his successes arguably one of his most stylish, there seems no obvious reason to oppose Warren Greatrex’s in-form chaser.

A defeat at the hands of the in-form Do It For Thy Sen at Uttoxeter two starts ago could have easily derailed the five-year-old’s confidence but it seemingly had the opposite effect based on what he did to his five rivals at Southwell eight days ago.

Picking up the running at the ninth, he always looked in full command from that juncture and even allowing for the fact he was eased down close home, he still scored by double digits. Clocking another smart time for the grade in the process, the son of Nathaniel is sent out to bat again at a track where he has already proven winning form over the C&D, and with another decent pace looking likely, he can continue his good recent work.