Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GHOSTWRITER (best price 4/1) has showed a likeable attitude in both his two wins so far to date and with a run style that strongly suggests he will be well suited by today’s fast ground and galloping track; Clive Cox’s inmate might prove difficult to peg back once in full cry.

Impressing with the way he strode clear once hitting the rising ground over on the July Course on debut, the son of Invincible Spirit was a warm order in his bid to follow up at Ascot next time and, after looking under threat momentarily at the two-furlong pole, he once again found an extra gear when it mattered.

A nice physical with the distinct likelihood he will be suited by a mile, this long-term plan has every chance of being executed.

SOPRANO (best price 5/1) would have surely captured the Dick Poole at Salisbury last time out with anything like a clear getaway from the stalls and with George Boughey’s filly having the valuable knowledge of running over today’s track courtesy of her debut win, the decision to come here for this more prestigious race rather than tackle the potentially more suitable furlong in the Rockfel can be rewarded.

Winless since recording an impressive victory here back in May, the flashy chestnut has, however, dined at the very top table since and her latest effort went a long way to suggest there is still plenty more to come. Prior to her extremely unlucky experience at the Wiltshire venue, the daughter of Starspangledbanner was placed in three successive pattern races between six and seven furlongs and with the former distance arguably where her strongest form lies, another bold display looks on the cards under ideal conditions.

CAN’T BEAT HISTORY (NAP) (best price 10/3), through no fault of his own, got no further than the fourth at Uttoxeter last time out, but now returning to the scene of his previous impressive victory over today’s course, Henry Oliver’s inmate is strongly fancied to make amends.

Looking in need of the run on his chasing debut after a break at Worcester two starts ago, Henry Oliver’s inmate was always travelling much sweeter at the Lincolnshire venue a month ago and having picked up the running going well down the back straight, he maintained a relentless gallop all the way to the line.

Posting a useful speed figure into the bargain, it is also worth noting he clocked a quicker final circuit than the two-mile chase won by Pittsburg and with today’s step up in trip not seen as a negative towards his prospects, this former pointer makes plenty of appeal at the morning prices.

As ever, one of the trickiest handicap puzzles to solve of the entire season, but in the shape of GREEK ORDER (best price 7/2), punters might not have to do too much delving to find the winner of this year’s renewal.

A lightly raced three-year-old with loads of scope, Harry & Roger Charlton’s gelding appears to be coming to himself just at the right time and his latest victory at Newbury marked him down as a potential pattern race performer of the future.

Despite being a little keen in the early stages at the Berkshire venue, he still finished off his race with a tremendous burst of speed and with the runner-up going on to score at Doncaster next time, the form looks solid.

Avoiding the temptation to run again, connections have decided to stick rather than twist with his handicap mark of 95 and with the overall feeling that the son of Kingman will leave his current rating way behind in time, only lack of experience in this sort of race can be seen as a negative.

If for some reason the favourite and most likely winner fails to run his race, ZOZIMUS (best price 20/1) has some of the strongest credentials to take advantage and at the morning odds, he is worth a small each-way bet just for the insurance.

Although yet to win for new connections, his last two performances since the visor has been employed suggests his turn isn’t too far away and having finished a creditable fourth in this race last season (first in far side group), a patient ride from the rear of the field in a strongly run event seems just his bag.

CASTEL GANDOLFO (best price 13/2) has run well on all three visits to today’s track and following another solid effort at Perth last time, Fergal O’Brien’s grey can keep that record intact.

Holding every chance at the last at the Scottish venue, he couldn’t quite maintain strides with the rapidly improving Too Friendly on the run-in, but as the winner might be ready for a step up into class to tackle something like the Greatwood Hurdle later in the campaign, there was certainly no shame in only getting beaten two lengths by James Owen’s smart performer.

Runner-up in the last two renewals of the big summer hurdle here in July and fourth in this race last year, a repeat of any of those efforts should see him bang in the thick of the action once again.

New connections of KING’S CODE (best price 4/1) seemed to have eked some improvement from the lightly raced three-year-old and with his latest speed figure suggesting there could be even more to come, David Evans’ gelding can put a second win on the board for the season.

Having broke on terms at the Merseyside venue, a slight stumble after a furlong rather put the son of Saxon Warrior on the back foot and although he finished off his race with plenty of gusto, he couldn’t quite make up the lost deficit against two who obtained first run.

That said, it was a performance to suggest a mile looks to be his ideal trip for the time being and having gone well around today’s track on his only previous visit, another positive outcome should be forthcoming with any amount of luck in running.