Andy Holding is back with six tips from today's action and Newmarket, Doncaster & Leopardstown.
15:00 Newmarket
TOUGH ENOUGH (best price 9/1) proved good enough to overcome a potentially tricky draw at Windsor last time out and, despite being one of the most inexperienced members of today’s party, he has sufficient raw ability to offset that slight negative.
Having his first run for 205 days and stuck out in the cheap seats drawn 11 of 11 at the Berkshire track, you would have forgiven James Tate’s charge if he had not made any impact in what appeared a tough assignment on paper, but to his great credit, he managed to defy logic by running out a decisive winner. Weaving his way through the pack, he delivered a killer blow inside the final furlong and with the time figure good and those in behind him all respected in that sphere, he strongly suggested he is heading in the right direction.
Only up slightly in the ratings despite the laws of physics suggesting he achieved a good deal more 38 days ago, this promising sprinter by Showcasing can go a long way to prove he belongs on the big stage.
16:45 Newmarket
A fascinating race on paper with some many imponderables but there is a decent chance one of Roger Varian’s pair, EMBESTO (best price 9/2) or NEW ENDEAVOUR (best price 7/1) will prove equal to the task, and they are worth playing against the field at the morning odds.
The former is one of the least exposed members of the sextet but on the evidence of his two starts so far to date, he already looks a potentially top-class prospect. Exhibiting a bright turn of foot to get the job done on debut at Yarmouth, the son of Roaring Lion had to overcome a pronounced draw bias at Doncaster last time out and in doing so, he ended up clocking a very smart speed figure.
No doubt connections would have been tempted by several of pattern races for him at Royal Ascot but with the gap between his latest encounter 41 days ago providing him the perfect breathing space to rekindle his energy levels, the flashy chestnut can prove he is not totally out of place in arguably one of the races of the day.
17:30 Doncaster
MOBASHR (best price 3/1) finally delivered the goods for new connections with a convincing display over today’s C&D last time out and, with a similarly patient ride to the one he received 12 days ago; Michael Appleby’s gelding is most likely to repeat the dose.
Other than one decent effort at Wolverhampton back in December, the five-year-old had been largely disappointing since leaving Marco Botti but given a straight track and a strong pace that helped him switch off, he turned out to be a reformed character. Picking up well in the closing stages, the son of Mshawish eased passed his five rivals with plenty to spare and in doing so, he posted a career high on the numbers.
Now they have found the key to him, one would like to think the same tactics will be employed on his return to Town Moor and with the pace likely to be honest courtesy of Surprise Picture being in the line-up, everything should set up nicely for him to come through strong at the business end.
19:25 Leopardstown
As you would expect for a 60k handicap, an array of quality handicappers out to play and, of those who arrive here in top form, COEUR D’OR (best price 11/2) and LAN CINNTE (best price 7/1) make the most appeal.
The former made an immediate impact on his first visit to today’s track with an impressive performance from the front a month ago and even though the handicapper wasn’t happy with what he saw, Dermot Weld’s inmate might have enough in hand to respond accordingly.
The way he quickened to leave his toiling rivals for dead was in the style of highly progressive horse and it came as no surprise to find he had run a similar set of numbers to the smart listed winner Moon De Vega over the same C&D.
The latter did well to finish as close as she did when you consider how the race panned out at The Curragh last time out and she warrants an interest now stepped back up in trip. On a day when those racing up with the speed over on the favoured far side rail had a distinct advantage, Jessica Harrington’s filly was one of only a handful to make any noticeable headway down the centre of the track from a high draw and with the overriding feeling of her having the potential to nick some black type at some stage, the powerfully-built three-year-old has plenty of scope to do some damage in handicaps off her current mark.
