Tuesday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

IMPERIAL BEDE (best price 12/1) does have questions to ask following a poor display on his final start last season but prior to that bump in the road he had looked a very promising prospect and with his best speed figure achieved when last encountering today’s C&D, a chance is taken on Jonjo O’Neill’s inmate being rekindled on his return visit.

Having made an encouraging start to his life over hurdles at Leicester last December, the five-year-old arrived here a month later in a bid to get off the mark in what looked a wide-open affair and having travelled well throughout off strong fractions, he showed a nice turn of foot to dispose of the useful Arqoob on the run-in.

Raised in class because of that impressive display, things didn’t quite pan out in his favour behind Rubaud and Co at Kempton next time out but at the same time, he wasn’t totally disgraced either. Whether it was the tacky ground, or he was over the top at Sandown on his final start of the season, is hard to know, but either way, he ran like there was something amiss at the Esher track and today starts something of a recovery mission.

Considering some of the names he has faced in his short career, he should be good enough to be competitive against today’s opposition if close to being on-song and with his morning odds being on the insulting side, he deserves to be played accordingly.

Master of Combat arrives here in excellent form and is sure to be a popular choice with many seeking his hat trick, but he may not have things all his own way up against TIGER BEETLE (best price 6/1) who impressed in all departments when scoring over the C&D last time out.

Arriving at the Midland venue following a 64-day break, Mark Rimell’s gelding was extremely well supported to take advantage of a slight drop in grade and having travelled like the best throughout, he duly had all the answers in the closing stages, ultimately pulling well clear without too much fuss.

What looked like a mandatory victory on paper, the numbers revealed he ran way beyond a horse of his rating (63) and even though the assessor has done his best to try and not make him look a fool for the second time in succession, there’s a decent chance he might have the last laugh again.

LOOKLIKEWEMADEIT (best price 11/1) shaped with a good deal more promise than the bare result suggested here last time out and working on the theory that she could end up being well treated on handicap debut, Daniel & Clare Kubler’s filly is worth a small interest at the morning prices.

Having her third outing for a mandatory mark, the daughter of Gleneagles understandably had nothing to do with the early skirmishes involving many of the main players at the Dunstall Park venue 24 days ago, but it was noticeable she made some pleasing late headway without being unduly knocked about and it’s that encouraging work in the final two furlongs that holds out hope for tonight.

The way she hit the line suggests she might be seen to better advantage over further and with an extra half a mile to cover her this evening, the lightly raced three-year-old rates one of the most interesting contenders.