Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

AUTUMN FESTIVAL (best price 15/2) was never likely to be a factor over six furlongs on decent ground at Hamilton last time out, and so it proved, but now back over a trip and conditions close to his optimum, David O’Meara’s inmate can spring back to life. 

A real cash cow last season, landing his last five races after getting the ball rolling in July, the son of Poet’s Verse hasn’t quite hit those heady heights so far this term but there have been one or two bright sparks along the way, including a decent effort in the Thirsk Hunt Cup here back in May. Returning to his favoured ground conditions that day, his record when the word soft in the going description now reads 12114 and with a slight drop down in class also seen as a welcome relief, he might have a better chance of capturing his best form than his morning odds suggest.

As is often the case, the Wokingham Handicap is likely to have a huge bearing on the outcome to this similar contest and with a large majority of today’s field locking horns again a month on, working out which one will come out on top is tricky exercise. Although the ground has continued to dry out during the week, the forecast – for heavy wind and rain - suggests there is a strong possibility conditions will deteriorate considerably during the morning, so it could well be quite testing again come halfway through the afternoon. 

With that in mind, horses who prefer soft ground and stay seven furlongs are likely to come to the fore and of those in that category, ALBASHEER (best price 20/1) and MUMS TIPPLE (best price 20/1) make the most appeal at the morning odds. 

The former hasn’t quite set the world alight since joining new connections (was sixth in the 2020 Dewhurst), but he has run with a good bit more promise than the bare result has suggested on his last two starts and he hails from a yard that pulled a similar rabbit out of the hat with St Lawrence in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. 

Although only 11 of 26 behind his stable mate at the Berkshire venue, he was noted putting in some sterling work in the closing stages after getting well behind early, so much so, that his final 3f sectional of 35.5 was only bettered by the winner and notably much quicker than the likes of Ozario, Apollo One, Juan Les Pins, Mums Tipple, and Summerghand, who he reopposes here this afternoon. 

Last time out at the Curragh, he was once again dropped right out the back – presumably by design – with a view to coming with a late rattle and even though those tactics worked to a degree, he ended challenging on the wrong part of the track for the second time in succession. That said, he did beat all those positioned on the far side easily enough and given the conditions that day are likely to be like what he will encounter here this afternoon, a big run is anticipated if he gets lucky with the (high) draw.

The latter also ran with great credit in the same race 42 days ago and given that he has plenty of soft ground, seven-furlong form tucked away for posterity, he must come into the equation over on the far side of the track. 

A top-class two-year-old, Richard Hannon’s flashy chestnut hasn’t quite hit the heights expected but there has been plenty of highlights along the way and on the evidence of his latest encounter, he remains a force in these sorts of races. Second of 17 out of his group at Ascot, with the tactical speed for six furlongs who stays seven well, any easing of the ground will be less of a hindrance to him that most. 

PISANELLO (best price 5/1) arrives here splendid form courtesy of a narrow margin victory at Hamiton last time out and with success taking his soft ground stats to 3242131, another big run looks on the cards with conditions very much in his favour. 

Not only does he enjoy plenty of give underfoot, but he also has a fair record at today’s venue and that fact was backed up with his excellent performance in the Thirsk Hunt Cup back in May when only just denied by the useful Northern Express. 

A strong stayer at the trip with a appetite for a battle when the chips are down, it would be disappointing if the reliable six-year-old doesn’t have a huge say in the final outcome.

As his name suggested, you would have to be a little whacky to consider backing HALF NUTZ (best price 14/1) on a regular basis, but such was his run here the other night, a venture away from the psychiatrist couch on this occasion might be the order day. 

A perennial slow starter, stall one four days ago was always going to be an even bigger problem than is usually the case but, to his great credit, he not only made up the lost ground to latch himself on to the leaders rounding the home turn, but he also stayed on strongly all the way to the line to finish a respectable fifth.

Amazingly, the time figure of the race won by Bells On Her Toes worked out furlong-per-furlong alongside the BMW Mile handicap on the same card and with the form upheld by the fourth, sixth and ninth two days later, it makes sense to have a crack at Ado McGuiness’ inmate to also put in a good shift on his return visit.