Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MUTUAL RESPECT (NAP) (best price 6/4) was unlucky to bump into the well-treated Lustinian over today’s C&D last time out but as there doesn’t appear to be anything of similar nature lurking in among this field, the seven-year-old receives a confident vote to go one place better on his return visit.

An authoritative winner of a three-runner affair at Uttoxeter previously, Billy Aprahamian’s gelding was fancied to go well again in a weaker race on paper two months later but even though he did very little wrong, the concession of two stone to a horse making his debut for new connections proved a bridge too far.

That said, the way he hit the line with plenty of purpose indicated he remains in top shape and having been surprisingly kept on the same mark, he has an obvious chance of taking advantage of that slight oversight by the assessor.

The two standard bearers, Magical Zoe, and Anna Bunina have seemingly quite a bit to spare on ratings, but as they both arrive here following long layoffs, a chance is taken on AIR DROP (best price 10/1) putting her vital fitness edge to good use.

A promising second on her previous start at Sligo, Gordon Elliott’s inmate was one of the main players in the market of a similar contest at Down Royal last time out and, in what turned out to be an extremely well-run affair, she came through strongly at the finish to account for several with solid form lines.

Good on the clock 28 days ago, the form of the race in question has boosted subsequently by the runner-up, Dame Rapide, and although there must be some element of doubt regarding today’s heavy ground, his morning odds are sufficiently big enough to warrant the risk being taken.

FLOWER OF DUBAI (best price 7/2) strongly hinted at Doncaster last time out that a step back up in trip would suit and with connections wasting no time in applying that theory to the test, the daughter of New Approach looks set to have her consistency rewarded.

Having not quite seen out two miles at Goodwood the time before, it was easy to see why she was dropped back in trip on Town Moor two weeks ago, but as it turned out, the 1m4f journey ended up being in insufficient test.

Outpaced three out before staying on eye-catchingly inside the final furlong, Simon & Ed Crisford’s filly at least ended up posting a very smart speed figure in defeat and with the strong possibility of an extra two furlongs coming to her rescue, she rates a strong choice to better her finishing position of her previous outing over today’s C&D.

CANDLEFORD (best price 7/2) proved match for Arc-bound Bay Bridge last time out but as time may tell there was certainly no shame in that effort, William Haggas’ inmate can fly the flag for the older generation.

A game winner of a listed contest at Windsor previously, the five-year-old was thoroughly entitled to have a crack at a tougher heat at the Sunbury venue on his next start and although he couldn’t lay a glove on the eventual winner, his time figure in defeat still worked out close to a career high.

A creditable fourth in this race last year, there’s no denying the son of Kingman is a better, stronger model now than what he was then, and having had a light campaign, he should be just about at peak fitness in his bid to better his finishing position.

SEA THE CASPER’s (best price 8/1) last two performances have left a lot to be desired but now he revisits a surface that allowed him to hit a career high at Lingfield back in June, a chance is taken on Simon & Ed Crisford’s chestnut justifying the trip over the Irish Sea.

Although only six runners faced the starter at the Surrey venue, there was no lack of pace and having travelled well throughout, he soon put the race to bed with a smart chance of gear inside the final two furlongs.

Sent off favourite to back up that smooth success in the John Smith’s Cup at York next time, the son of Sea The Stars ended only beating one horse home on rain-softened ground and even under better conditions at Windsor last time, he still struggled to anywhere near a level of respectability.

121 on an artificial surface, his only defeat coming at the hands of Kempton specialist Belloccio, this standard of opposition should prove to be well within his range.