Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

NONSUCH LAD (best price 9/2) has been consistent of late without managed to get his head in front but with forecast rain due to arrive during the day and returning to a C&D where he was successful last season, Jim Boyle’s inmate has a decent chance of readdressing the balance.

Placed on all four starts this term, the four-year-old chestnut did best of the runners who were held up off the pace at Epsom last time out and it was another performance to back up the view that 1m2f with some ease underfoot is when he is at his best.

That was certainly the case when he fought hard for victory at the Esher track last September and with another solid run ensuing on his return to the track back In May, a deterioration in the conditions in the build up to the first race see him in the mix again.

CARRYTHEONE (NAP) (best price 9/4) did well under the circumstances in a strong listed race at The Curragh last time out and with today’s assignment nowhere near as demanding in terms of opposition, Johnny Murtagh’s gelding cam emerge victorious on ground that will also suit.

On a day when it paid to be handy at the Kildare venue, being held up towards the rear wasn’t ideal but to his great credit he managed to get himself onto the podium being a strong finishing third and given the strength of opposition he faced that day, it is easy to suggest he had run one of his best races for quite some time.

Although that useful effort was achieved on quick ground over a mile, the six-year-old is just as effective over shorter and with the rain around likely to make it a proper test at the trip, his extra stamina is one of the main reasons why he makes plenty of appeal in a race of this nature.

If the forecast is correct, the weather is due to get a little spicy almost everywhere during the day and that news comes as a welcome relief to connections of COINS CROSS (best price 11/4), who would be in his element more than most if the ground deteriorated any further.

Back to form at Leopardstown following a disappointing effort on his seasonal bow at The Curragh, the son of Dragon Pulse returned to the Dublin venue 13 days ago in a bid to go two places better and if it wasn’t for the late thrust of Emeric, he would have completed the task.

Still, his performance had to be regarded as another step in the right direction and now heading back to a track where he has performed well in all three previous visits, he has a fine opportunity of copy and pasting the display the last time he won over seven furlongs on soft/heavy ground.