Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

With the false rail and cutaway removed for the last two days of the meeting, it’s no surprise to find the last ten runnings of this competitive mile handicap have been won by horses drawn no higher than 13, so with that in mind, it makes sense to concentrate on the dozen who can win according to the stats. Obviously, there is also a certain amount of luck in running to be factored into the equation but providing both TACARIB BAY (best price 15/2) and BOPEDRO (best price 20/1) get a reasonable rub of the green, they have the right credentials to have an impact in the final analysis.

The former has been knocking at the door in these big handicaps for a while now and his performance in last Saturday’s International Stakes at Ascot was a strong indication, he is not a million miles away from gaining his due reward for his consistency. Although only sixth in the final reckoning, Richard Hannon’s inmate came out best of the 14 horses who were positioned on the wrong part of the track over on the far side and considering that was his first run for 102 days, his effort deserved plenty of credit. 

Although he solid form over seven furlongs, there is little doubt he is better over a mile and having run well over today’s course in the past, the son of Night Of Thunder is a must for any shortlist.

The latter is a little harder to explain but he was noted doing some good work in the latter stages of that seven-furlong handicap at Ascot six days ago and that is not the first time when he hasn’t quite had the best of luck in races of that nature.

An eye-catching sixth in the Buckingham Palace Handicap over the same C&D at the Royal meeting, he now heads back up to atrip that saw him finish his race off very strongly at Newmarket previously and hailing from a yard who have captured this prize twice in the last three years, it would come as no surprise if he were to prove the surprise package of the race and take home stable bragging rights. 

There can be no denying Highfield Princess sets a tall standard in this Group 2 affair, but because she takes out a huge chunk in the market there is some value to be had elsewhere and both NYMPHDORA (best price 14/1) and MAKAROVA (best price 12/1) makes plenty of appeal as each-way alternatives. 

The former is gradually working her way through the ranks and once again her favoured soft ground allowed her to take her game to another level at York last time out. The way she travelled through that strongly run five-furlong listed race before quickening away from her rivals left the impression she deserves a crack at something more substantial and hailing from a yard who have enjoyed plenty of success here this week, a good draw right next to the favourite should give her every chance of hitting the frame at the very least.

The latter could probably do with the ground drying out even further but with not much rain forecast until latter on in the day, that may turn out to be the case. Although she was rated inferior at the time, she managed to account for the likes of Nymphadora and Co in a strongly run listed contest at Ayr two starts ago and she backed up that performance with another career high effort at Sandown last time out.

Although not match for Equality in the closing stages, she easily did best of those who raced down the middle of the track and with her recent time figures suggested she is very much heading in the right direction, she is fully entitled to have a crack at this Group 2 prize. 

TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS (best price 9/1) rather left his chin hanging out to a rival who was more patiently ridden at Worcester last time out, but it was another performance to suggest he is verging on gaining a deserved breakthrough and with a little bit more of a conservative ride, he might just get his day in the sun. 

Picking up the running after the eighth at the Midland venue, he showed his hand probably sooner than Sam Twiston Davies would have wanted and, as a result, he didn’t quite have the necessary reserves to fend off Lermoos legend on the run to the line. That said, the pair pulled miles clear of the rest and with the time figure speaking favourably of the performance, he deserves another chance under ideal conditions.

As we’ve witnessed here already this week, tried and trusted course form is irresistible as far as Galway is concerned, so with that in mind, the two that stand out in this 1m4f handicap are TEED UP (best price 9/2) and CHALLY CHUTE (best price 11/1).

The former could almost walk himself to the course and with a cv that now reads, 11211 thanks to his latest success here on the opening day of the meeting, it makes perfect sense to stay loyal to Emmet Mullins’ inmate. The way he travelled his way through the two-mile event on Monday hinted he is right on top of his game and with a drop back in trip not seen as any threat to his chances, a fifth win at Ballybrit could well be forthcoming. 

The latter has only stepped foot here once but on the evidence of that display last October, the unique nature of the track holds no fears. An easy five-length winner that day, proved his wellbeing and versatility in one fell swoop when scoring over two miles with plenty in hand at Killarney last time out and with all his form coming over today’s trip previously, it’s hard to see him not going well from a favourable draw. 

TRUE DESTINY’s (best price 25/1) Flat form figures don’t look too clever, but it is worth noting he has been in decent nick over hurdles of late so a chance is taken he can translate his last two performances back to the level. 

A smooth winner at Sligo after a 52-day break, James Lambe’s inmate looked like he might repeat the dose at Kilbeggan last time out given the way he travelled but, on this occasion, he was just outstayed in the latter stages by a rival went around on the better ground out wide. 

Although he has yet to set foot here at Galway, it is worth noting two of his better winning efforts have come at Sligo, which is similar in many ways, and with the forecast rain during the day seen as a bonus, the eight-year-old is likely to prove he is seriously underestimated in the market.