Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

There was literally a fag end between SIR TIVO (NAP) (best price 15/8) and Al Zaraqaan when they last met at Uttoxeter a month ago but, with the former having home advantage courtesy of a C&D record over fences that reads 212, the locally trained gelding has a decent chance of following up his recent Stratford success.

Just outrun in the dying strides by his old rival at the Midland venue, Gary Hanmer’s gelding was well backed in his bid to atone for that heartache three weeks later and, after travelling well throughout, he found the necessary requirements to see off his nearest challenger in the latter stages.

Seemingly quite happy to except a lead nowadays, the sight of Mercian Prince in the field should make the decision by his pilot an easy one to track the pace rather than get involved with an unnecessary early skirmish and with just the man on board to execute those tactics, the nine-year-old rates a decent bet at the morning odds to score for the tenth time over fences.

FAUSTAS (best price 3/1) has seemingly taken well to the visor since returning to the fray after a mid-summer break and with his latest success at Brighton coming as a career high on the figures, Robert Cowell’s gelding can strike again for the second time at this level.

Not quite up to the standard of a useful Class 3 event at Yarmouth previously, the son of Mayson was dropped in grade for his latest encounter and, in what turned out to be a very generously run affair, he came storming through late on to claim the prize.

What was noticeable about that victory 12 days ago was how much he found for pressure considering he raced rather exuberantly during the first half of the race and with the strong possibility of another well-run contest on the cards with Girl Magic and Recon Mission both confirmed pace setters, the five-year-old shouldn’t have too many excuses if he fails to deliver the goods.

GETAWAY TOM (best price 3/1) has really sprung to prominence during the summer period and with his latest effort at Newton Abbot going a long way to suggest Tom Lacey’s gelding is still capable of further improvement, he is fancied to back up that opinion in a race that should set up nicely for him.

Well supported to supplement his previous Uttoxeter gains, the five-year-old hit the same flat spot as he did two months before but, on this occasion, the sharper nature of the West Country venue just found him out and despite keeping on bravely from two out, he couldn’t quite peg back his old rival Sassified.

Much better served by the galloping circuit and stronger pace throughout his breakthrough victory back in May, he should get all the assistance he needs today with Gifted Angel in the field, and it would come as a bit of a surprise if he doesn’t make a bold bid to regain the winning theme.