Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A tricky one to solve with quite a few unknown quantities in the field, but with the likelihood of a significant going change due to heavy rain overnight and through the morning, CHIC COLOMBINE (best price 11/4) might be able to put her valuable experience under such conditions to good use.

Progressive since landing a maiden at Newcastle back in June, George Boughey’s filly completed a nap hand of victories by taking care of many in-form fillies in a valuable contest at Goodwood last time out and with the speed figure speaking very favourably of her performance, she is fully entitled to have a crack at something more substantial.

A strong traveller and hardy battler in equal measures, the combination of those traits along with the ability to handle easy ground make her a tempting proposition at the morning odds.

MATILDA PICOTTE (NAP) (best price 5/2) finally gained her due reward for many sterling efforts previously this season with victory at Doncaster last time out and with this seven-furlong trip with plenty of ease underfoot very much optimum conditions, she makes plenty of appeal over a track she knows well.

Setting off on Town Moor with her usual intent, the daughter of Sioux Nation soon had most of her rivals on the back foot, and in maintaining a relentless gallop all the way to the line, she posted one of her fastest ever speed figures.

Third in this season’s 1000 Guineas despite a mile of soft ground testing her every sinew, the three-year-old confirmed her suitability to today’s track following last year’s success over six-furlongs and even though the sight of Pogo in the line-up poses one or issues tactically for Oisin Murphy, she has the versatility to cope with whatever comes her way.

CANDONOMORE (best price 15/2) has really caught the eye on both his two starts to date and with the strong possibility connections have had this race in mind for the son of Almanzor, he is fancied to execute the plan.

Just touched off in a protracted dual with the useful Loose cannon over today’s C&D on debut, Tim Easterby’s colt was well backed to go one place better at Thirsk last time out and although he couldn’t quite justify his position in the market, he still came out of the race with his reputation unblemished.

Looming up to hold every chance two furlongs out at the Yorkshire venue, it seemed like he had all bases covered at that juncture but still looking a bit green and inexperienced, he didn’t quite see his race out as well as the smart Zabriskie Point and he ended up settling for a minor role.

Likely to have learnt plenty from both encounters, he holds valuable experience of today’s track over many of his rivals and with the ease underfoot not seen as any inconvenience, the strapping son of Almanzor makes plenty of appeal with the firms who are offering each-way bet on four and even five places.

A really strong-looking novices’ handicap chase for this time of year and of those who have the potential to do well in this sphere, a chance is taken on INCH HOUSE (best price 4/1) being good enough first time off the shelf.

Taking a while to get his act together over hurdles, the six-year-old finally delivered the goods at today’s track on his final start of the campaign and with connections taking the decision to pull the plug from that point onwards, he begins life over fences off what appears a workable mark.

A former point winner who has the physique to do well over the larger obstacles, it’s easy to see him plying his trade in some quality events throughout the early part of the campaign and with today’s race offering up the perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling and test his mettle, anything other than a bold attempt would have to go down as a major blow to all concerned.

It’s easy to see why Shuwari is a warm order to make amends for her slightly unlucky defeat here last time out and she should confirm the form with old rival Ylang Ylang, but she might have tough battle on her hands containing fellow Irish raider CAUGHT U LOOKING (best price 7/1).

Beaten nine lengths by Ylang Ylang at The Curragh on debut, since then Noel Meade’s inmate has shown dramatic improvement – coinciding with soft ground – and her latest victory back at the Co Kildare venue came at the expense of many useful fillies at Group 3 level.

Despite receiving no cover stuck out on the wing throughout the strongly run seven-furlong contest, she kept on powerful down the middle of the course to get the better of the front-running Brilliant (likely to set the pace again) in the shadows of the post and with the time figure good, the daughter of Harzand took a huge step forward from anything she’d achieved previously.

Considering how well she hit the line 19 days ago and her page suggesting she is going to be even better over middle distances next season, today’s test over a stiff mile should suit and with the overnight rain coming to her rescue, she looks the one the bookmakers have underestimated the most.