Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

BROOKIE (best price 11/4) ran out an impressive winner on his first start for new connections at Fontwell last time out and with the assessor seemingly not reacting in the manner anticipated, Anothony Honeyball’s inmate rates a strong choice to take advantage.

Nicely backed prior to his UK debut at the Sussex venue, the four-year-old always looked comfortable in behind the pace set by confirmed front runner Small Bad Bob and once joining his main market rival after the second last, he found a smart turn of foot to pull well clear.

Clocking a useful speed figure 34 days, the form already looks good considering what the runner-up achieved next time and with the strong possibility of even more to come now he has firmly established himself in his new environment, he can take this en route to a possible tilt at the Greatwood Hurdle in two weeks’ time.

DRAGONFRUIT (NAP) (best price 9/4) ran his rivals senseless at Uttoxeter last time out and with his time figure pointing towards his performance being a very good one for the grade, the son of Black Sam Bellamy can go one place better than on his only other previous visit to today’s track.

Having his first outing for 193 days, the eight-year-old raced with plenty of zest right from flag fall and by the time he had entered the home straight for the final time, he had most of his rivals flat to the boards. Momentarily challenged by Justshortofabubble on the run down to three out, he soon swatted him away and in remorseless fashion, he just kept pounding out the fractions on the run to the line.

Not only did he post exceptionally smart numbers at the Midland venue, highlighted by his very favoured final circuit time compared to the two mile handicap, the runner-up has since gone on to advertise the form in a major way and having only narrowly failed to land a similar race to today’s the last time he encountered this C&D, Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s gelding can maintain his stable’s excellent start to the campaign.

Castle Field Boy will clearly capture a lot of attention following his game victory over today’s C&D at the last meeting, but it was a bit of a nothing race run in a very slow time and the better value bet may turn out to be MISSIEE (best price 7/1) who ran well in a much stronger race on the figures at Galway last time out.

Returning to the fray after a 212-day break, Eion McCarthy’s mare was easy to back in what looked a very competitive handicap on paper beforehand but as it transpired, she ended up running way beyond expectations.

Still travelling well meeting the rising ground, she held every chance after jumping the last but once on the run-in, lack of a previous outing against race-fit rivals began to take hold and she ended up fading into fourth.

That said, considering she was in amongst horses such as Buddy One (rated 145), Gabbys Cross (rated 140 over fences) and Shadow Rider (125) who have all run in a Graded race at one point during their careers, it puts into perspective what she achieved at Ballybrit and with that all-important run under her belt, she can make an even bigger impact if seeing out today’s extra two furlongs.