Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A tricky opening staying handicap but both WOOTTON’SUN (best price 9/2) and PARADAIS (best price 12/1) arrive here on top of their games courtesy of strong form in well-run similar contests of late and they are fancied to make their presence felt despite having their fair share of weight.

The former will have the spotlight shone on him due to it being Paul Hanagan’s last ride but that pressure aside, he has a cast iron chance based on his most recent effort at Ascot. Picking the running up after the front running Youthful Son faded at the two pole, he was joined by his old rival Scampi inside the final furlong and although he just lost out in a titanic dual to the line, it was noticeable the pair pulled 12 lengths clear of the rest (fast speed figure).

A game winner of the Old Newton Cup on his previous start at Haydock, a return to a similar surface he encountered that day should see the son of Wootton Bassett provide his pilot a memorable final spin in the saddle.

The latter also has top quality handicap form to call on, albeit over 1m2f, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be equally over today’s extra two furlongs. Indeed, he ran extremely well in last season’s Old Rowley Cup over 1m4f at Newmarket and he also stayed well over a similar trip at Glorious Goodwood.

Additionally, his latest effort at the Sussex venue suggested he remains in top form and with today’s conditions a good deal more suitable than what they were 24 days ago, the four-year-old looks overpriced based on his body of work.

Highfield Princess will no doubt be one of the most popular winners of the four-day festival, but if there is to be a shock of sorts, fellow Yorkshire-trainer REGIONAL (best price 9/1) might turn out to be the pantomime villain.

Seemingly just an above-average handicapper last season, Ed Bethell’s inmate has totally flipped that theory on its head on his two appearances this term and he thoroughly deserves a crack at a top sprint prize based on the figures he has produced. Good on the numbers when accounting for many track specialists in a handicap over today’s C&D back in May (worth noting his 32.9 closing sectionals was 1.3 seconds quicker than Highfield Princess), the son of Territories was transported into pattern company for the first time at Haydock a month later and, in what turned out to be an extremely strongly run affair, he took his game to a whole new level in defeating subsequent winners Equilateral and Makarova.

Posting an extremely fast speed figure that day, he also impressed with the way he dipped his shoulder and quickened away from his rivals in the closing stages and, when you consider the horses he beat at the Merseyside track were similar to those Highfield Princess accounted for at Goodwood last time, he might not have as much to find as the current ratings suggest.

Kept specifically fresh for this race ever since, his favourable draw smack down the middle of the track should give him ample opportunity to cover the pace set by the main players and with most firms offering four places, it would be slightly disappointing if he fails to fill one of those places.

LAN CINNTE (best price 12/1) shapes like she still has plenty more improvement left to come and on a surface that should help her big frame glide over, Jessica Harrington’s inmate can make the trip over the Irish Sea a worthwhile one.

Backed as if defeat was out of the question at Galway last time out, she had to survive several scary moments to prevail but the fact she managed to overcome those adversities says a good deal for her current wellbeing.

A creditable fifth in a hot handicap at Leopardstown previously, it’s worth pointing out she finished just behind subsequent BMW Mile winner Coeur D’Or that day and with her opening gambit behind the smart Unless also reading well in the context of today’s task, a prominent display should be forthcoming over a track that should suit.

GRANNY BUDGIE (NAP) (best price 5/2) represents a yard who have a 27% strike rate with their two-year-olds so far this season and with the daughter of Massaat responsible for two of the ten winners in that category, she looks to have a great chance of keeping those excellent stats intact.

Good on the eye and on the clock when scoring with a degree of authority at Nottingham on debut, she was a warm order to follow up at Lingfield next time out, but unfortunately the combination of very fast ground and the sharp track just caught her out and she had to settle for a minor role.

Back on a surface with a bit more cushion at Ripon last time, she travelled with the swagger she had displayed on her opening gambit and once asked to put the race to bed inside the final furlong, she did so with the minimum of fuss.

Only up 4lb in the ratings despite her manner of victory suggesting she should have been given a sterner sentence, George Scott’s decent record at today’s venue can be extended if she runs to a similar level.

QUANTUM REALM (best price 7/2) arrives here holding a clear edge on form thanks to his sparkling effort in the Galway Blazers last time out and a repeat of something similar makes Gordon Elliott’s inmate an irresistible force in this weaker event.

Aimed specifically at one of Ballybrit’s feature races earlier in the month, the seven-year-old held every chance of lifting the prize after jumping the last but despite trying valiantly to overhaul the front-running Toss Again, he ultimately just came up a little short.

That said, the time figure of the race in question was a seriously good one for the grade and now stepping up to a trip and track he has won over before, the son of Notnowcato makes quite a bit of appeal to confirm a previous victory over one of today’s main opponents, Mica Malpic.