Sunday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

PARK THE GIANT (best price 33/1), as his name suggests, is a proper unit and this future chasing type did more than enough on his rules debut at Cork to warrant a small each-way interest in this wide-open maiden hurdle.

Previously a winner in the point field for old connections, the son of Walk In The Park was pitched into quite a warm little contest on his first run for his new yard at the Mallow venue but despite being up against several genuine 130-rated horses, he went toe to toe with them for majority of the three mile journey.

Still moving well off the home turn, it was from that point when his stamina/lack of a run for 189 days began to take its toll and once accepting the situation after the third last, it was noticeable that his pilot eased him down accordingly – this extenuating his 28-length losing margin.

Since that performance 28 days ago, the form of the race in question has worked out well with the runner-up, Solitary Man, going on to triumph at listed level back at the same track and with the likelihood that today’s trip of an extended 2m2f will help put less pressure on Brian Hayes trying to nurse him through the early exchanges, a fairly aggressive ride could easily see him outrunning his crazy-looking morning odds.

THECOMPANYSERGEANT (best price 6/1) posted a career high on the figures when a gallant fourth in an extremely hot handicap at the Listowel festival last time out and with today’s step up in trip seen as a positive move based on his overall profile, the six-year-old can make a winning start on his first run for his new trainer.

Well fancied in many quarters at the Co Kerry venue (sent off 6-1 second favourite in a 17-strong field), the son of Kayf Tara impressed with the way he travelled until the point where he hit a bit of a flat spot coming out of the back straight, but to his great credit, he didn’t drop his guard for one second and he kept on strongly to finish on the coat tails of the main players.

As mentioned, the speed figure was very good 51 days and with the likes of Magic Trick (won yesterday), Horantzou D’Airy (second at Sligo), Icare Allan (third at Aintree yesterday), Cash Back (runner-up to Beacon Edge), Filey Bay (fourth in the November Handicap), Fils D’Oudairies (won at Tipperary), Aime Desjy (third at Sligo) and The Big Chap (won twice) all advertising the strength of the form since, it’s easy to make a case out for Shauna Larkin’s inmate having the strongest credentials over a track where he has gone well in the past (runner-up in a novice hurdle).

ARQOOB (best price 7/2) is still a work in progress with regards to his hurdling technique, but despite not being totally proficient in that department his results bare up to the closest inspection and having shaped as though he would be all the better for the run on his seasonal bow at Plumpton recently, Lucy Wadham’s gelding can build sufficiently enough on that effort to be a danger to all here today.

Having his first outing since switching from William Jarvis, the five-year-old faced many fit after successful summer jumping campaigns at the Sussex venue but despite that disadvantage, he ran well until lack of match sharpness kicked in on the approach to the final hurdle. Visibly getting tired on the run-in, he ended up getting caught for second close home, but it still had to go down as a thoroughly satisfactory start to his campaign and one that indicates his should more than pay his way at the same level.

To add to the list of positives, it’s worth pointing out he ran well in the final of the novices’ championship over today’s C&D back in the spring and with conditions for his return visit similar to what he faced that day, the son of Estidhkaar should easily be capable of going close to recording his second victory over hurdles.