Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A slightly disappointing turnout for this Group 3 prize – which can also be said for several other races on day one of the Ebor meeting – but it should provide BALLYMOUNT BOY (NAP) (best price 2/1) with ample opportunity to get back to winning ways following his excellent effort at Goodwood last time out.

Although it looked a weak looking renewal of the Richmond on paper beforehand, the pace set by Toca Madera ensured the winning speed figure was by some way the fastest juvenile contest run during the five-day fixture and with the winner, Vandeek, going on to advertise the purity of the form at Group 1 level next time, it puts into context what Adrian Keatley’s colt achieved in defeat.

A big, strapping son of Camacho, he shapes like he will really appreciate an extra furlong, or even further in future, and providing he handles the track/different ground combination (trainer very hopeful), he will surely take all the beating.

The staying handicap won by Temporize at Goodwood could well hold the key to this contest (strong time figure) and having performed with great credit to finish second and third respectively, ROBERT JOHNSON (best price 11/2) and TRONADOR (best price 7/1) look poised to go well again.

The former has been nothing short of a revelation so far this term and from humble beginnings of landing a Class 6 handicap at Catterick off a mark of 54, he now finds himself on this bigger stage with a decent chance. A winner over today’s C&D along the way, Philip Kirby’s gelding faired best of those held up off the pace at the Sussex venue and with no obvious signs of his form deteriorating, he remains one to keep on side.

The latter too, came from an impossible position in the same race 19 days ago but, while Robert Johnson enjoyed a much smoother passage down the straight, Gordon Elliott’s inmate got slam-dunked several times.

Going back to his previous effort on the Flat, his victory over subsequent dual scorer Youcrackmeup (won twice since) reads better than it did at the time and with a mark of 79 still workable compared to his jumps rating of 127, the chestnut can go close to providing his handler with a rare winner in this sphere on these shores.

RED ZONE HERO (best price 15/2) has come across as being a thoroughly likeable two-year-old so far to date and with a profile to suggest he doesn’t appear to be too badly treated off his opening mark; Michael Bell’s colt can make his presence felt on his first attempt in this sphere.

Not knocked about when shaping well on his debut (third and fourth won since), the son of Starspangledbanner was well-backed to fare a good deal better at Yarmouth next time and although his supporters proved to be spot on, he had the misfortune to bump into the progressive Seven Questions.

Taking advantage of good opportunity presented his way at Ayr last time out, as is often the case, the handicapper hasn’t gone mad when assessing a northern maiden win and with his conqueror at Yarmouth now on a perch of 96, it would be something of a surprise if he didn’t go well off 80 here.