Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GRANNY BUDGIE (best price 7-1) has been one of many off the George Scott two-year-old production line this season and with her two latest successes having both taken place of soft ground, she should be more at home on today’s surface than most. 

A smooth winner at Nottingham on debut, the daughter of Massaat came unstuck on a fast surface when strongly fancied to follow up at Lingfield next time but since then she hasn’t looked back. A convincing winner back on an easy surface at Ripon was supplemented by another game display under similar conditions at Hamilton last month and on each occasion, she has hit the line with plenty of purpose. 

On the evidence of her recent exploits, today’s extra yardage with plenty of cut underfoot should be right up her alley and with connections coming here instead of tackling the listed Flying Scotsman Stakes later at the meeting, the decision the play the percentages can reap maximum rewards.
 

CITT STREAK (best price 6-1) gained his second success of the campaign with a gutsy display at Ascot last time out and with his form figures on a soft surface reading 3211, it makes sense to play Andrew Balding’s inmate accordingly.

A winner at Chester back in May under his favoured conditions, the four-year-old was once again presented with a golden opportunity to shine at the Berkshire venue two months later and off the back of strong fractions, he came through powerfully late on to scoop the prize. 

Up to a career high of 91, he will obviously have to improve again, especially against several progressive three-year-olds, but over a track that he has gone well in the past and a surface that suits best, there is every chance he will. 
 

JUSTCALLMEPETE (NAP) (best price 4-1) arrives here having posted a set of career high figures over tonight’s C&D last time out and with there being no obvious reason why James Evans’ gelding wouldn’t be capable of repeating the dose, he looks the obvious solution to this similar prize.

Held up off the pace on his first visit to the Essex venue, a gap opened nicely for the son of Bated Breath on the inside up the home straight and without any second invitation, he quickened up smartly to capture the opportunity handed to him.

Pulling readily clear inside the final furlong, he took his tally on the all-weather to 6-17 and on the evidence of that display, there is a strong possibility those useful stats aren’t done quite yet.