Andy Holding is back with three tips for today's action, with runners at Cork, Nottingham & Lingfield.
13:50 Lingfield
TYGER BAY (best price 7/2) ran as well as could be expected given how slowly away he was at Southwell last time out and with the assessor seemingly providing him with the biggest opportunity he has had for some time, Conrad Allen’s gelding can stake his claim at Class 5 level.
Having just his second out since rejoining the fray in August, the six-year-old blew any chance he may have had of landing a competitive racing league affair by being tardy away from the gates, but to his great credit, he did make a bold fist of working himself back into the argument and to end up finishing a respectable sixth wasn’t a bad effort in the circumstances.
Dropped further to a mark which now sees him at a level he hasn’t visited for the thick end of 18 months, he also returns to the scene of some of his best performances on the clock in recent times and with a decent exit from the stalls this time around, he should easily be good enough to take a hand in the finish.
15:50 Nottingham
FANTASY MASTER (best price 8/1) loves it here and having run better than his finishing position suggested at Newbury last time out, Daryll Holland’s gelding has a better chance of landing this race for the second year running than his morning odds imply.
On a retrieval mission after disappointing at York previously, the five-year-old chestnut soon put himself behind the eight ball at the Berkshire venue with a tardy start and over a trip that has seen him struggle in recent times, he never looked likely to recover. That said, he did finish off his race with plenty of purpose inside the final furlong and it was an effort that should set him up nicely for a return to his optimum distance.
Moreover, his record over today’s track of 1144231336 suggests he should turn out to be one of the main players come what may and with the ground also likely to suit him better than most, the case for him hitting the frame at the very least is crystal clear.
16:50 Cork
The fillies’ handicap won by Gypsy Woman here at the last meeting was noted for its strong speed figure and having caught the eye with the way she finished off her race, SHEYYA (best price 9/1) deserves more than a second look over an extra furlong.
Not good enough for listed company in two attempts last season, connections have lowered their sights in as many starts so far this term and following a run when she was far too keen for her own good at The Curragh, she turned in a more productive effort at today’s course 27 days ago.
Held up towards the rear after still being a little fresh early, the daughter of Starspangledbanner found herself outpaced as the eventual winner kicked off the front turning for home, but once she found her stride inside the final furlong, the sterling work she did in the closing stages allowed her to finish on the coattails of the main players.
On the evidence of that effort, she looks to be crying out for further and providing her excellent young pilot can settle her early on, she certainly has enough ability to play some sort of role.
