Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

RISKINTHEGROUND (best price 4-1) left the impression he may have had a larger say in the outcome but for crucial blunders at the last two fences at Kempton last time out and with today’s contest looking well within his capabilities based on that effort, a smoother execution should see Dan Skelton’s inmate making amends on his third chase start. 

Brought down at the third fence on chase debut at Worcester, the son of Presenting was well fancied on his recovery mission at the Sunbury venue later last month and although he came up just a little short in the final analysis, at the same time there was much to like about his performance. Overall, his jumping was assured but through no fault of his own, he was unsighted at the second last, which caused him to make an untimely blunder and probably still gathering his thoughts, he went and met the final fence on the wrong stride. 

Given what happened at the Midland venue the time before, that was technically his first outing since April and with the likelihood of him tightening up in many areas of his game with that initial run under his belt, the six-year-old looks sure to be one of the main players here this afternoon. 
Picks Lad, having his first run for Harry Derham since leaving Kim Bailey, looks the most obvious threat given how well his new handler does with other trainer’s cast-offs. 

Both HORN CAPE (best price 5-2) and Special Rate ran out impressive winners for similar reasons in their respective races here last week but as there might be more substance attached to the former’s victory in relation to today’s assignment, Ben Haslam’s grey rates the percentage call at the morning odds. 

Well beaten on his chase debut the time before, connections decided to park that career to one side and come back over hurdles for his latest assignment and as things panned out at the Durham venue, that choice worked wonders. 

In a race where he faced many well-fancied opponents, the six-year-old gelding was brought through with a strong challenge after the second last and despite looking as though he might have to play second fiddle to the gambled-on For Three at the last, he battled on strongest of all up the hill to record a game victory. 

Posting a decent time for the grade in the process (best on the card), he is now 3-3 under today’s pilot and although he must prove himself over a slightly longer trip, hope is high he has the necessary requirements to be equally effective.