Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

AFLOAT (NAP) (best price 9/4) really appreciated the good gallop set when scoring with some authority over today’s C&D last time out and with the strong possibility of similar set up again on her return visit, Rae Guest’s filly could prove hard to beat while still in this grade.

Held up towards the rear while Corporate Raider knocked out useful fractions up front, the daughter of Sea The Moon was asked to engage in the race proper as the field huddled up at the four pole and from that point onwards, she took total control in pulling nicely clear of her rivals.

Time-wise, her performance for the grade was particularly noteworthy and with the potential of more to come now connections have found her sweet spot, she deserves to be played accordingly back at a track that clearly played into her strengths.

EXECUTIVE DECISION (best price 4/1) was seemingly more at home on an easy surface when beating a useful field of handicappers at Goodwood last week and with conditions still likely to be on the easy side despite a notable change in weather, Jamie Osbourne’s filly can make hay while in excellent heart.

Twice on the fringes of the action in two big-field, premier handicaps, she did more than enough on each occasion to suggest a decent contest would come her way and with another strongly run race to contend with at the Sussex venue, she delivered the goods at the third time of asking in no uncertain terms.

Super strong when many around her were floundering late on, she hit the line with a good deal of purpose and with the time figure she posted coming out extremely favourable compared to some of the better ones on the seven-race card, another similar well-run affair here tonight should see her flourish if stall 11 doesn’t end up being a negative.

PEARLE D’OR (best price 9/1) arrives here off the back of a career high success at Ascot last time out and with conditions almost identical to what they were 13 days ago, David O’Meara’s gelding looks primed to give another solid account.

Picked off in the latter stages of a similar contest over the same C&D previously, the four-year-old returned to the Berkshire venue in a bid to go one place better and, having travelled strongly throughout, he stayed on well to repel the late challenge of the in-form Mobaashr.

Only up marginally in the ratings when his speed figure suggests he deserves more of a hike, the son of Starspangledbanner should receive the strongly run race he requires to be at his best and he rates a better proposition than his morning odds indicate.