Wednesday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A question mark hangs over quite a few of these on account of their long absences, including HASANKEY (best price 11-2), but as Laura Mongan’s gelding has a decent record of going well fresh, he’s worth risking at the morning odds. 

The seven-year-old dined at the top table for most of last season and his performance when a creditable fourth in the viciously competitive Red Rum Chase at Aintree’s Garnd National meeting encapsulates the sort of opposition he was facing on a regular basis. 

Other notable efforts were when he finished runner-up to the smart pair Mackenberg at Ayr and Red Rookie at Warwick and with the display at the former venue coming on his seasonal bow following an absence of 227 days, confidence is high he can raise his game to a similar level on his first outing of this campaign. 

COLLECTIVE POWER (best price 11-2) is a reliable sort at this level and following another solid performance over today’s course last time out, Edward Lynam’s gelding looks booked to go well again on his return visit. 

Facing a bunch of classy handicap sprinters at the Co Meath venue, the chestnut raced with his usual verve throughout and although he stayed on strongly all the way to the line, he couldn’t quite get to grips with his stable mate Heavenly Power, who benefitted from racing over towards the far side of the track.

Prior to that sterling effort, the five-year-old had scored in convincing fashion at Cork and with his body of work timewise suggesting he is in the form of his life at present, there looks no obvious reason why his performance levels will dip here today.

DUBAI SOUQ (best price 4-1) readily disposed of a competitive field over today’s C&D last time out from the front and with conditions set fair for him to take another positive approach, Saeed Bin Suroor’s gelding is fancied to repeat the dose at the expense of slightly better opposition. 

Soon in control at the Midland venue, the son of Dubawi was sent for home over three furlongs out and at no stage did he ever look like relinquishing the lead. Such was his dominance, he could be afforded to be eased down in the closing stages but even allowing for that fact, he still managed to clock a very smart speed figure in the conditions. 

A lover of soft/heavy ground, as form figures of 11231 under such conditions testify, the six-year-old can prove a tough nut to crack if gaining an uncontested lead.

The ratings say Mimikyu should toy with today’s opposition on her step back down from tackling Group 1 company but as is often the case in these listed fillies contests, it’s never that straightforward and in any case, there looks to be a far more tempting proposition at the prices in the shape of MISTRESSOFILLUSION (best price 7-1). 

Racing on a soft surface for the first time and fitted with cheekpieces, Ralph Beckett’s filly was set out to make it a proper test on Town Moor and as it turned out, she proved equal to the task by making all the running to score in a fast time. 

Only raised 4lb for that career-high effort, there must have been plenty of temptation by connections to exploit that apparent leniency but with the lure of black too irresistible to pass up, she comes here with all guns blazing to bolster her career at the breeding sheds.