Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A tricky start to the card, but there is a decent chance the two previous course winners, LOCAL DYNASTY (best price 9/2) and SEENDID (best price 8/1) will have some sort of say in the final outcome and they are taken against the field.

The former brings a touch of quality pattern race form to the table courtesy of his third in the Dee Stakes at Chester on his seasonal bow and he went on to fill out the same position in the hugely competitive Golden Gates handicap off top weight at Royal Ascot last time out.

Towards the rear and some way off the pace turning for home at the Berkshire venue, Charlie Appleby’s inmate came home best of all with a powerful run down the outside to finish a never-nearer third and considering his draw and how he had to avoid the stricken Canute at halfway, his performance deserves extra merit.

A winner on his only previous start at today’s track and just as good, if not better, with some ease underfoot, the rain which is predicted will further enhance his credentials.

The latter is more difficult to assess having only had three starts, but there was a lot to like about the way he scored over today’s C&D on his latest encounter and he could well be one of the better treated horses in the field.

Third in a quality novice event at Chepstow at Chepstow previously (form working out well), a switch up of tactics brought about the desired effect 21 days ago and with the experience of that breakthrough success unlikely to be lost on him, William Haggas’ colt can make a bold bid to emulate stable companion Dubai Honour, who captured this prize two years ago.

CANOODLED (best price 9/1) kept on well from the back of the field to finish a never-nearer third over on the Rowley Mile last time out and with that display indicating Ed Walker’s inmate is trending back in the right direction, she looks to be seriously underestimated in the market.

Slowly away 43 days ago, the five-year-old was still languishing in the rear with two furlongs to run but with a strong surge in the closing stages, she managed to salvage something from the wreckage, in turn, running a speed figure not too far off her best.

Returning to a track where she performed with great distinction last season and hailing from a yard who are currently ticking along at a healthy rate, she can do her own bit for those stats, especially if the rain arrives in time.

FINAL WATCH (best price 6/1) took a huge step back in the right direction with a solid effort over today’s C&D last time out and with similar conditions likely to be in place if the forecast is correct, William Stone’s gelding can add to his course stats which now read 122.

A convincing winner at Ascot last September, the five-year-old failed to get anywhere near the same level of form in four subsequent outings, but in chasing home the front-running Able Kane here 15 days ago, he went a long way to remind everyone what he can do when on song.

Victorious on his first visit to the July Course back in 2021, the son of Mukhadram followed up that effort by keeping tabs on the classy Modern Games on his return to the Cambridgeshire venue and with most of his better performances coming when there has been a bit of ease underfoot, any rain in the build up to today’s contest will suit him more than most.

RANGER BILLY (best price 11/2) has taken really nicely to today’s C&D based on his last two performances and with the most recent display his first victory in 13 starts, the confidence he gained from that breakthrough moment can be carried forward into this similar contest.

Fourth on his previous outing at the Westmeath track, Eoin Doyle’s inmate was well-supported on his return visit two weeks later and, after travelling sweetly throughout, he showed good battling qualities to get the better of previous winner, True Destiny, in a titanic tussle from the last. Posting useful final circuit sectionals in the process, the fact the front pair went miles clear of the rest suggests it is reliable form and with there likely to be a similar surface in place based on the forecast, there seems no obvious reason why he wouldn’t be in the mix again.