Tuesday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

ALPHERATZ (best price 11/4) was very much the one to take out of the race on her debut at Thurles 12 days ago and even just a modicum of improvement should see Joseph Murphy’s inmate a tricky opponent for all.

Held up towards the rear of the field after running green early, the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain was in an uncompromising position turning for home and by the time the eventual winner, Je Zous, had built up a head of stem and went clear, she hadn’t enough real estate to land a blow.

She did, however, finish off her race with plenty of pep in her step and providing she can hit the lids with a bit more intent this time around, she has enough ability to go one place better.

CLASSIC CONCORDE (NAP) (best price 11/4) is on a bit of a roll at present and with his latest victory coming courtesy of a career high performance on the figures, David Brace’s veteran can continue his merry way up the ranks.

A deserved winner of a competitive handicap at Worcester three starts ago after several near misses, the 10-year-old returned to the Midland venue a month later a well-backed favourite to follow up and after setting a decent pace from the outset, he maintained the gallop all the way to the line to justify his position in the market.

Sent to Bangor last time in a bid to complete his hat trick, the son of Shantou once again set his stall out right from the start and despite being headed on the home turn, he rallied to find the necessary requirements from two out.

Good on both sets of numbers 13 days ago – overall and final circuit splits – he looks almost certain to lead again and with his diminutive size usurped by a big heart, his battling qualities can once again gain the day.

Andy Holding British Champions Sprint Stakes Ante-Post

Looking at the long-range weather forecast, it’s almost inevitable Saturday’s glittering Champions Day card is due to be run on heavy ground and of all the horses set to do battle at the Berkshire venue, VADREAM (best price 14/1) is one of a handful who will simply relish the conditions.

Wildly impressive both visually and on the clock on heavy ground at Doncaster back in April, Charlie Fellows’ mare went on to prove that form was no fluke by capturing the Palace House Stakes over a furlong shorter at Newmarket a month later and if it wasn’t for the rain which fell immediately before the race, she probably would have little chance of success.

Since then, the weather has continued to frustrate connections as each target she has had on her agenda has been scuppered by dry conditions, but their patience looks set to be rewarded in no uncertain terms this weekend. Already soft, anything up to 20ml is due in the area in the build up to the race and while the likes of Kinross and Shaquille will handle heavy ground well enough, they probably can’t claim they enjoy it.

A creditable sixth in this Group 1 sprint last year when the ground was nowhere near soft enough, the daughter of Brazen Beau put the finishing touches to her repeat bid over today’s course two weeks ago despite the conditions being way too quick and now returning to the scene of that fine effort, she has a golden opportunity to capture her biggest prize so far to date with everything in her favour.