Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MALAKAHNA (best price 4/1) has found it increasing difficult to run a bad race in recent times and because of her overall levels of consistency, she rates a solid each-way proposition at a track where she has enjoyed a bit of success in the past.

Since following up her victory over today’s C&D at Newmarket last October, Ian Williams’ mare has hit the frame on her three subsequent outings on the Flat and with her latest effort coming courtesy of another solid performance in a competitive two-mile contest at York, it is clear she is continuing to run to a decent standard.

Although ultimately no match for the rapidly improving Robert Johnson on the Knavesmire, it is worth noting she pulled six lengths clear of the nearest pursuer and with the speed figure suggesting it was a fair race of its kind, she is one of the more likely candidates to give King Eagle most to think about.

ALTIMARA (best price 16/1) shaped with significant promise on her debut at Naas 20 days ago and with today’s extra furlong seen as a likely springboard to further improvement, Ross O’Sullivan’s filly should be capable of making more of an impact than her morning odds suggest.

In keeping with her trainer’s record with first time out two-year-olds, the daughter of Starspangledbanner was sent off at 50-1 at the Kildare venue and although after a tardy start from the outside gate she never looked likely to upset those odds, she did more than enough in the closing stages to offer up plenty of hope for the future.

Coming home strongest of all from two out, she hit the line with plenty of conviction and with the winner going on to do the form no harm at pattern level next time, it was a performance that needs more scrutiny than it did at the time.

Whether she ends up being drawn on the right side of the track here tonight remains to be seen, but she does have horses with plenty of experience and natural early pace to give her a tow into the business end if good enough and she deserves to be played accordingly.

The classic generation looks set to dominate this mile handicap and of the quintet from that category, PASTICHE (NAP) (best price 7/4) arrives here with the strongest credentials.

Unable to fend off the highly progressive Nine Tenths at Windsor on her seasonal bow (form worked out well since), George Boughey’s filly was then pitched into her first handicap off what appeared a workable mark and, having been held up off solid early fractions, she came storming through in the final furlong to win going away.

The way she hit the line over tonight’s course suggested she shouldn’t face too many fears going up in trip and with the second, third and fourth that day all going on to boost the form since, the daughter of Zoustar receives a vote of confidence to handle different conditions on her return visit.