Monday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (best price 7-2) is better known for his exploits over fences so the fact he ran so well over hurdles at Newton Abbot last time out makes him an automatic choice returning to his favoured discipline. 

A little out of sorts by his own standards during the summer months, Peter Bowen’s inmate sprung could have easily been forgiven for not rolling his sleeves up at the west country pitched in against several in-form hurdlers, but instead he managed a career high over the smaller obstacles by chasing home the useful Sebastopol. 

Well clear of the rest, he also clocked a useful speed figure into the bargain and providing today’s ground doesn’t deteriorate too much, there is every chance he will carry the same level of form back over to fences at a track where he has gone well in the past. 

BOHER ROAD (best price 8-1) took apart his 10 rivals in a maiden hurdle at Wexford last time out and with the speed figure speaking favourably in the direction of his performance, Jarlath Fahey’s inmate could prove a tough nut to crack around this similarly sharp circuit. 

The four-year-old went into the contest 17 days ago on a bit of a recovery mission having disappointed on the Flat at Down Royal but he ended casting that poor run to one side in exemplary fashion, leading all the way to record a facile victory.

Clearly back to the sort of form that allowed him to perform so well on his hurdling debut at Punchestown, this lightly-raced sort – who tended to edge to his right last time – can make a mark on his handicap debut.

GOLD SPEED (best price 5-1) was unlucky to bump in to handicap blot Teed Up at the Galway Festival last time out and although today’s contest offers another stern test, Adrian Murray’s individual can prove equal to the task.

Just outside the money to two extremely hot handicaps at Punchestown and Ballinrobe in the spring respectively, the 10-year-old was aimed at another useful contest at Ballybrit same with the knowledge he had already gone well there in the past, but unfortunately connections hadn’t accounted for the fact they were up against a horse who had already won and finished second in two other races earlier at the meeting. 

Despite putting in a decent shift, he could only manage an honourable second, but at least it proves he remains in good shape and, having run well in a bumper here before, a return to the Kerry venue should prove to be a fruitful visit.

SPANISH ROSE (NAP) (best price 9-4) shaped with a huge amount of promise on her debut at Navan last time out and with the likelihood of more to come, Natalia Lupini’s filly receives the confidence vote to get off the mark at the second time of asking. 

Green and outpaced in the early exchanges of a well-contested affair at the Co Meath venue, the daughter of Estidhkaar still had plenty to do as the field turned for home, but such was the extent of her work in the closing stages, she ended up finishing just on the heels of the leaders as she hit the line. 
Likely to know more this time around, she is fancied to prove Billy Lee has made the wrong choice. 

EDISON KENT (best price 11-2) ran extremely promisingly in a much tougher contest than he faces at Newton Abbot last time out today and in the hope he builds on that first run for his new stable, James Owen’s inmate rates the percentage call at the morning prices. 

Having shown nothing in two starts for Paul Webber, connections decided to turn to a trainer who seemingly can turn base metal into gold and although the son of leading Light didn’t manage to make a massive impact first time out at the west country track, its fair to say there was a good deal more encouragement attached to his performance.

Staying out well in the latter stages of a strongly run affair, that effort gives him a platform from which to build and having handled easy ground conditions in his native Ireland many times in the past, any rain that falls here this afternoon will inconvenience him less than most.