Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

VOLANTIS (NAP) (best price 6/1) had to be considered a bit of an unlucky loser at Galway last time out and with an overall profile to suggest he should give himself every chance of making amends, Ross O’Sullivan’s unexposed gelding can prove that he remains on a good mark.

Lightly raced with just four starts over hurdles, his lack of experience certainly didn’t count against him at Ballybrit a month ago, it was more to do with the fact he didn’t receive a clear run at a crucial stage. Once out in the open after the last, the son of Workforce stayed on in such a fashion he left the impression he would have surely won with a smoother passage, and with the race already beginning to take shape subsequently, his performance deserves even more praise.

Although he has form over 2m4f, he seems best suited by a well-run two miles, and with conditions to suit and solid course run under his belt seen as two major pluses, this smooth-travelling five-year-old deserves maximum respect.

PINK CRYSTAL (best price 7/1) has been a consistent performer at this level for the last two seasons and with both her two runs so far this term suggesting she remains as good as ever, William Haggas’ inmate is fancied to go one place better than she did in this race last year.

A creditable third in a competitive fillies’ handicap at York on her first outing for 251 days back in June, the daughter of Shamardal returned to the same C&D a month later to put up another sterling effort against Group 3 opposition.

Forced to race away from where the main action took place due to her poor draw, the four-year-old impressed with the way she stuck to the task at hand inside the final two furlongs and with her time figure working out on par with some of her career best efforts, her performance deserves extra merit.

A strong-finishing runner-up here twelve months ago, it’s safe to say she arrives here in slightly better form than her conqueror Gale Force Mayo, and providing she can handle today’s ease underfoot (yet to race on ground slower than good), the consistent chestnut should be there or thereabouts when they are dishing out the medals.

LUKE SHORT (best price 7/2) never landed a blow at the main players at Roscommon last time out but he is probably better judged on his previous effort at the Curragh and a repeat of something close to that level of form gives Noel Meade’s gelding every chance of getting his head back in front.

Shuffled back through the field at the Lenebane venue after breaking cleanly, the six-year-old found himself in a poor position as the field exited the back straight and things never really improved thereafter as he constantly kept being denied a clear run inside the final two furlongs.

Prior to that total no show, he had only narrowly failed to land a similar contest at the Co Kildare venue and with the likes of Eastern Legend, Deakin, Out On Friday, and God Knows all winning subsequently, it is that form line which suggests he is the one to beat here this evening.