Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

ZAPHOD (best price 6/1) is arguably one of the biggest unknown quantities in this fascinating Group 3, with just one piece of evidence to go on but, as his speed figure spoke very favourably of his performance at Tipperary, he should in no way be underestimated.

Nicely supported on debut despite hailing from a yard not renown for first time out juvenile winners, John O’Donoghue’s inmate didn’t fill his backers with too much hope during the early stages but after spending most of the race in the rear, he came storming through in the final two furlongs to ultimately win going away.

Already proven in a well-run contest on heavy ground over today’s trip and with the likelihood of more to come, the son of Zarak carriers a degree of confidence with him into this tougher assignment.

VIA SISTINA (best price 8/1) was agonisingly denied further Group 1 success at Deauville last time out but with conditions even more in her favour to what they were 62 days ago, George Boughey’s mare has every chance of making amends at a track that should play into her strengths.

Victorious on her first attempt at the very highest level at The Curragh earlier in the campaign, the daughter of Fastnet Rock found the combination of a mile on quick ground at Newmarket catching her out in the Falmouth Stakes two weeks later but that slightly below-par effort was a distant memory based on what was witnessed at the French track when last seen.

Sweeping to the front over a furlong out, she rather idled once establishing what looked a winning advantage and she was just run out of the argument close home by the fast-finishing Mqse De Sevigne, who went on to boost the form next time out at Newmarket.

Due to go to the Prix De L’Opera on Arc Day next, connections have decided to come here in hope that conditions would turn out suitable and with their prayers answered in no uncertain terms, the improving five-year-old can ride off into the sunset for the season in the best possible fashion.

THE WALLPARK (NAP) (best price 4/1) can be a bit of a clumsy so-and-so over his hurdles but his numbers so far to date suggest he has a fair engine, and a chance is taken on Gordon Elliott’s gelding putting in a decent enough round of jumping to make him competitive against what looks a strong field for this time of year.

Workmanlike rather than spectacular on his first start over hurdles at Killarney, the five-year-old faced two above-average rivals in the shape of Bialystok and Broomfield Bijou in a tightly knit novice hurdle on his latest encounter at Listowel and despite making a few notable errors and favouring to edge to his right over the obstacles, he still had enough quality to lower the colours of his two main rivals.

When interviewed straight after the race, his handler strongly hinted his charge would be seen to even better advantage over further and with connections wasting no time in following that viewpoint through, this scopey chasing type can further enhance his reputation over hurdles (brush rather than timber) that should aid his slightly suspect technique.

RAADOBARG (best price 16/1) has yet to win this season, but he has run many creditable races in defeat and following another sterling effort in Group company at Newmarket last week, George Boughey’s gelding deserves more than a second look back in a handicap on ground that will suit him more than most.

Setting out to make all the running at HQ, the five-year-old took the field along at a good pace until joined by the smooth-travelling Highland Avenue at the two furlongs pole and although he couldn’t match the finishing kick Charlie Appleby’s grey produced from that juncture, he kept on well enough to finish a respectable third.

Filling out the same position behind the smart Chindit on his only previous visit to today’s C&D back in May, he returns to the Berkshire venue under more suitable conditions and having landed the Irish Lincolnshire the last time he ran in handicap company back in 2022, the son of Night Of Thunder has reasonable claims of repeating the dose from what should turn out to be a favourable draw (eight of the last nine winners of this race all drawn 11 or less).

RUNNING STAR (best price 7/1) created a favourable impression on his debut at Southwell a month ago and with tonight’s step up in trip expected to bring about further improvement, Hugo Palmer’s colt can justify the view he remains one to keep on side going forward.

Not particularly fancied on his opening gambit at the Midland venue, the son of Zoustar did well to get himself involved early from his high draw and despite using up plenty of energy in doing so, he kept on strongly all the way down the straight.

Although no match for the front pair, who both had the benefit of previous experience, he hit the line nicely to finish a not-knocked-about third and with the tenderness afforded to him unlikely to be lost on his second time around, he rates an attractive each-way proposition at the morning odds.