Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

LION WAIT (best price 7/1) left the impression he was a winner waiting to happen when fourth in a decent maiden here last time out and in a race that contains few secrets, Andrew Oliver’s gelding can play a pivotal role in the outcome.

Not particularly well fancied on his opening gambit, the son of Roaring Lion looked like justifying that role until he picked up nicely in the closing stages to the extent if he would have started his run sooner, he may have had more say in the finish.

That said, his effort still must go down as one of huge encouragement and now returning to the Co Kildare venue over an extra two furlongs that should suit and with a more favourable draw (stall 17 last time), a positive outcome rates a strong possibility.

WALMIX (best price 7/1) hasn’t quite gone on the way anticipated since landing a bumper at Wexford back in June, but it hasn’t all been doom and gloom and a repeat of his performance here three starts ago makes him an interesting contender back at the Waterford venue.

Although beaten on merit into fourth that day back in August, the time figure and subsequent form of those around him suggested he had run to a decent standard and although there must be a certain amount of finger wagging in his direction since, the ground conditions at both Galway and Clonmel have been valid excuses.

Back over a more suitable trip and with no more rain forecast for today, Anthony Mullins’ gelding should give a good account on his first handicap attempt.

NOSTRINGSATTACHED (best price 5/1) proved the ultimate party pooper when running down strongly fancied favourite Strawberry Road here last time out and with the data from that race 19 days suggesting its form we should be taking seriously, Andrew Kinirons’ filly makes plenty of appeal at the morning odds.

Heading into that competitive contest on the back of two solid placed efforts against similar opposition, she was one of many with strong claims and, after making up a decent amount of ground to race on the heels of the leaders turning for home, she came home strongest of all down the outside to capture the prize close home.

Exhibiting a likeable and willing attitude in success, she steps into her first handicap off what appears a workable mark and with trip, track and ground holding few fears, the daughter of Markaz rates a confident choice to hit the frame at the very least.

IKARAK (best price 10/3) arguably brings the best form into the party thanks to his sterling effort in the final of the brush hurdles series here last time out and a performance of a similar level might be good enough to go one place better and turn around the form with his old foe, Doughmore Bay.

Runner-up on his two previous starts since joining new connections, Milon Harris’ inmate was targeted at the 36k prize 13 days ago and although he couldn’t quite cope with the improving Ike Sport in the closing stages, he did manage to beat 14 others in a race which was run at a strong gallop.

Coping well with the rain-softened ground at the Midland venue, he now returns to familiar surroundings safe with the knowledge that if conditions deteriorate during the day – which is forecast – he will be one of the few least inconvenienced and with today’s step up in trip also likely to suit, anything other that another solid effort must go down as a disappointment.

LAURA’S BREEZE (best price 7/1) produced a promising effort on her first all-weather outing here last time out and in a race no greater in magnitude, Ed Dunlop’s filly has a reasonable chance of shedding the maiden tag.

Disappointing on her two previous starts in a variety of headgear, the daughter of Ribchester ran here aid free seven days ago and on the evidence of her display, there seemed to be a big improvement in her performance levels.

The way she finished off her race from the rear of the field left the impression she could be a fun project for the winter on this sort of surface and with a more positive ride this time around, connections might need a rethink on putting her in the HIT sale at Newmarket in a few weeks’ time.