Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

PEARL ISLAND (best price 4-1) shaped nicely on both his two starts in bumpers last season and being the type to do well once stepping up in trip, today’s contest looks the perfect platform from which to build on his first term over hurdles. 

All at sea due to greenness and lack of tactical speed on his debut in a strongly run affair at Warwick, he did keep on well in the latter stages to suggest he had a reasonable future and the same comments applied on his next start at Ludlow.

Around a track that was never likely to play into his strengths, he once again did all his best work inside the final half a mile and even based on those two small sample sizes, he looks a horse for whom stamina will be his key forte further down the line. 

In the hands of a trainer who does well with this type, Henry Daly’s inmate will hopefully be at a certain level on his first run for 206 days whereby he can perform in conjunction to his morning odds. 

A classy-looking renewal of one the most sought-after handicaps of the season and providing NOTLONGTILLMAY (best price 13-2) can perform to the level he’s achieved on his two previous visits to Prestbury Park, Laura Mongan’s gelding has a decent chance of capturing the biggest prize in his trainer’s career. 

Impressive in his first three victories over fences, the seven-year-old was pitched into the deep end of Grade 1 company at the Festival in March and despite being sent off a 40-1 outsider in a strong field, he ran the race of his life to finish runner-up to all-the-way winner Stage Star. 

Roughed off for the season, he returned to the fray at the Showcase meeting here a month ago and even though he was always likely to find a drop back to the minimum trip against seasonal handicappers a potential stumbling block, he ran well enough to suggest brighter days lay ahead.

Form-wise, the race in question was given an instant boost with runner-up, Triple Trade, winning here yesterday, and with enough solid performances on soft ground under his belt, he looks to have plenty of bases covered back at a track that clearly suits his eye.

BUDDY ONE (best price 6-1) gained his just rewards for a series of fine placed efforts at Galway last time out and with a profile that suggests Paul Gilligan’s charge is likely to run his race more than most, this progressive hurdler can continue his way up the ranks. 

Ticked along on the Flat with a view to coming back in the autumn, the six-year-old resumed back over hurdles with a fine effort over an inadequate trip at the Galway festival and following another solid display at Listowel, he returned to Ballybrit last time to run out a resounding winner of a competitive handicap, in the process, clocking a very smart time figure. 

Runner up and third respectively when tackling handicaps at the two big festivals in the spring this side of the Irish Sea last season, his performance behind Iroko in the Martin Pipe Conditional handicap reads best on paper based on the subsequent form shown by many in behind him that day and with today’s pilot a happy addition when it comes to easing his burden here this afternoon, a decent test under ideal conditions should suit. 

PERCY WILLIS (NAP) (best price 4-1) got stopped more times than Margot Robbie on the red carpet walk on Oscars’ night at Newcastle the other day and working on the basis he only had the gentlest of workouts given what happened to him, Jedd O’Keeffe’s inmate has a cast-iron opportunity to make amends back at a track where he has shone many times in the past. 

A creditable runner-up to Met Office in a strongly run affair over tonight’s C&D earlier in the month, the five-year-old was one of many with sound each-way credentials in a wide-open affair at Gosforth Park 11 days later but as things panned out, the modest tempo throughout meant there was a stampede for the line off the home turn.

Positioned towards the rear, the son of Sir Percy was brought over to the favoured nearside rail in a bid to thrown down a challenge but unfortunately every time he tried to obtain a clear run, the door got slammed in his face.

Finishing full of running, he left the impression he might have had a say in the outcome with a better rub of the green and with today’s contest representing a significant drop down in class, it would go down as a major surprise if he doesn’t end up one of the chief players.