Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

OSCAR DOODLE (best price 5/2) ran out a cosy winner on his only previous visit to today’s track and following two useful placed efforts at Newcastle recently to suggest he remains in decent shape; Brian Ellison’s gelding can reward the trip down south for the second time.

Having kept on well from the rear of the field to finish a never-nearer second at the Gosforth Park venue two starts ago, connections were clearly keen to make more use of him when returning to the same C&D last time out and although those tactics ultimately didn’t quite come off, he still ran perfectly well in defeat.

In conclusion, the four-year-old is probably at his best when ridden just off the pace, so in the hope a slightly more conservative ride takes place here this afternoon, the son of Outstrip has bright prospects of staking a claim to success over a track that suits.

EYE OF THE WATER (best price 3/1) lost little in defeat when beaten by his old rival Ciotog over today’s C&D last time out and with that effort taking his stats at the Wiltshire venue to 43153312, it’s hard to see Ronald Harris’s gelding not adding to that tally on his return visit.

To be fair, he was probably a bit fortunate to beat Mark Loughnane’s gelding on their previous clash, and it came as little surprise to see the form turned around four days later. That said, it was still another solid effort from a horse who always seems to run his race here come rain or shine and without any obvious improving in today’s line-up, the seven-year-old rates a strong choice to do himself justice once again.

BAGHEERA GINGE (NAP) (best price 13/8) gave it a good lash in his bid to finally get off the mark over fences at Newton Abbot last time out only to bump into Investment Manager right on top of his game, but with today’s contest offering him another fine opportunity so soon after that spirited effort, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate is strongly fancied to gain compensation.

Picking up the running from an early stage at the west country venue, the five-year-old set strong fractions that had most of his rivals in trouble leaving the abck straight and although he couldn’t quite see off the attentions of the eventual winner, his ultimate defeat was rewarded by a very good speed figure.

Prior to that excellent display, he had also given valiant chase to the massively improved Courtland in a useful contest at Worcester back in June and a repeat of either performance makes him the one to beat off the same mark.