Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

PARADIAS (best price 16/1) failed to run anywhere near his best at Sandown last time out, but as there were mitigating circumstances surrounding his uncharacteristically below-par effort, Alan King’s inmate is afforded another chance.

Impressing in many departments at the Esher venue previously – mainly the speed figure he posted – the son of Kodiac was fancied to repeat the dose in a similar contest over the same C&D on his return visit, but after racing far too keenly for his own good in a much more sedately run affair, he simply failed to get home up the hill once Holly Doyle lost patience with him coming out of the back straight.

Clearly much better than what he offered up 24 days ago, the chances of there being a more suitable gallop courtesy of Pride Of America being in the field rate very high and having gone well with some ease underfoot in the past, everything looks set fair for him to remind everyone he still remains a progressive handicapper in the making.

COLTRANE (best price 10/3) got beaten fair and square on the day by Courage Mon Ami in the Ascot Gold Cup, but under proven conditions as far as he is concerned, Andrew Balding’s gelding rates a sporting choice to turn around the form.

Having worked his way through the ranks to find himself dining at the top table in this division, the son of Mastercraftsman was strongly fancied to be crowned champion stayer in the blue riband at the Berkshire venue a month ago and having picked up the baton to lead at the two-furlong pole, it looked like he was about to be anointed. Unfortunately, though, he was eventually pegged back in the closing stages by a rival who just had a better turn of foot under the conditions but even so, it was still another solid effort from a horse who rarely lets his supporters down.

A creditable fourth in this race last year, there is little doubt he is a better horse twelve months on, and having run to a very high standard on the two times he has run on soft ground, the ever-reliable six-year-old looks set to give it another good lash.

Willie Mullins has an incredibly strong hand in this novices’ hurdle but despite Absurde looking the obvious one based on his profile and jockey arrangements, it would probably be unwise to dismiss WILLIAMSTOWNDANCER (best price 6/1) totally out of hand.

2-2 since switching her attentions to hurdles, she left the impression she won with more in hand than the bare result suggested at Roscommon last time out and with the speed figure backing up the view it was a decent race of its kind, she is clearly continuing an upward curve.

Having already gained black type thanks to a fine third in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree’s Grand National fixture, the daughter of Beat Hollow can add to her collection of accolades in this listed affair.

KITAI (NAP) (best price 9/4) won in the manner of an extremely progressive filly at Pontefract last time out and with connections soon to nominate today’s contest as her next target, the well-orchestrated plan can be executed.

Useful as a two-year-old just short of pattern class, it took the daughter of No Nay Never two runs to get back on track this term and following an impressive victory at Carlisle in June, she duly repeated the dose at Pontefract on his her most recent start.

Despite dropping back to six furlongs, Charlie Johnston’s filly impressed with the way she travelled at the Yorkshire venue and once asked to go about her business inside the final furlong, she readily pulled clear of her rivals that included many in-form older sprinters such as It Just Takes Time and Earls.

Clocking a career high speed figure 21 days ago, she arrives her right at the peak of her powers and with a strongly run race highly likely given the competitive nature of the field and track she encounters, the progressive three-year-old can prove she is ready for something substantial beyond today.

Ado McGuiness has made a habit of winning big field handicaps at this meeting in recent times and with this valuable prize being one he likes to specifically target, all six of his representatives are worthy of respect. As ever, the draw and rub of the green during the race itself will has a significant bearing as to which of the sextet comes out on top, but providing he receives a relatively trouble-free passage, CURRENT OPTION (best price 12/1) has a decent chance of owning the yard bragging rights.

Whether or not this race will be used as a springboard towards further success in the Ahonoora handicap in the final day of the meeting remains to be seen, but there was no denying he was an eye-catcher at The Curragh last time out. Noted going well from the halfway point, the seven-year-old ran into the sort of traffic you would be hard pressed to find on the M25 even on a bad Friday night and, as a result, he ultimately could make little impression on the main players.

As good as ever on the evidence of that display, he arrives here off a lower mark than the one allowed him to finish fourth in this race last year and a good break from a favourable draw should see another positive result from the son of Camelot.

One who will have this race as his main objective is JOE MASSEIRA (best price 9/1) and he is worth interest to go well at a track that suits his eye.

A winner at this meeting last year, albeit at a slightly lower level. Noel Meade’s inmate has subsequently improved sufficiently enough to stand tall against today’s opposition and with the final touches to his preparation going smoothly courtesy of an encouraging effort at Killarney recently, he should be at fever pitch on his return to Ballybrit.

A lover of soft-to-heavy ground who stays a stiff mile well, a clear run through should see the son of Fast Company in the mix in some way shape or form.

BELLS ON HER TOES (best price 13/2) arrives here in excellent shape thanks to a recent victory at Killarney and with tonight’s conditions considered her optimum, there is a strong possibility she can put up a bold bid to going one place better than she did here last year.

Fairly busy so far this season, Andrew Slattery’s filly has gradually worked herself into peak fitness and following a couple of solid runner-up spots at Roscommon and Naas, she finally got her persistence rewarded on her return to the latter venue.

Held up in behind the pace at the Kildare track, she was produced with her customary late run inside the final furlong and despite making a little bit of a meal of going by her two main rivals late on, she consented to put her head in front where it mattered most.

Proven at today’s unique venue and a strong stayer at seven-furlongs under the conditions, it would be disappointing to all concerned if she didn’t make her presence felt.