Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

An informative contest to kick off the card and despite the presence of well-touted pair, Welcom To Carties and Ideal Des Bordes, BEAT THE BAT (NAP) (best price 7/4) is fancied to put his valuable experience gained a hot affair at Chepstow to good use.

For a horse though good enough to contest the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, Harry Fry’s inmate was naturally expected to go well on his hurdling debut at the Welsh venue and despite just coming up a little short on the day, his performance in defeat carried forward plenty of positives for the future.

In a race truly run, the five-year-old only found one to too good in the shape of Masaccio but with the pair well clear of some promising sorts and the speed figure useful, it’s safe to say he couldn’t have done much more. Moreover, it’s worth pointing out that his division was a good deal quicker than the one won by Minella Missile – 6.6 seconds quicker to be precise – and considering what Evan Williams’ horse has gone on to achieve since (won Grade 2), it puts into perspective what sort of level the son of Walk In The Park ran to first time off the shelf.

Not short of pace but seemingly a strong stayer at 2m4f at the very least, he sets a decent standard the rest will do well to match.

Livin On Locco is sure to be a warm order having run a highly promising race on hurdling debut over today’s track last time out but as his comes from a yard that can’t buy a winner at present (29 runners and 24 days), he is readily passed over at the morning odds in favour of ASK BREWSTER (best price 13/2).

Looking a bit threat to the main protagonists on the run down to the third last at the Welsh venue, it was from that point when the taps were really turned on and although he was still in with a squeak a hurdle later, it soon became apparent he ran out of steam.

The way he was handled thereafter by his pilot strongly hinted the son of Ask was having a good blow after a 227-day absence and in the hope that he tightens up in all departments (did jump a little big on occasions), he rates decent each-way material on his return visit providing all eight runners go to post.

PINKERTON (best price 4/1) couldn’t hold a candle to Imagine over today’s C&D on chase debut, but it was still a fair effort in defeat by Noel Meade’s inmate, and he looks one of only a handful capable providing Mister Policeman with something to think about.

Setting off just behind the strong pace set by Gordon Elliott’s inmate, the seven-year-old was still going as well as anything turning for home but even though he ran hard all the way to the line, he just couldn’t muster up the necessary pace to claw back the deficit.

That said, the speed figure of the race suggested he had run to a high standard on his first outing for 235 days and even though he clearly faces a horse of some potential on his return to the Co Meath venue, hopefully the experience he garnered in that baptism of fire will stand him in good stead second time around.

CATWALK COUTURE (best price 25/1) failed to trouble the judge over tonight’s course last week but given how strong the race was for the grade, she might have a chance of going closer on her return visit than her morning odds suggest.

A shade tardy away, Eddie & Patrick Harty’s inmate was automatically dropped out from her wide draw and by the time the field headed out onto the far side, she found herself plumb last. Still in that position on the home turn, she did, however, begin to make some in roads to those ahead of her down the straight and by the time she’d hit the line, she managed to salvage a bit of pride.

Looking at the data from the race in question seven days ago reveals it was one of the best on the card and when you put the daughter of Tamayuz on the clock from passing the winner post first time for one complete circuit, she comes out well not only with the main players, but those who took part in all the other round track races that night (Catwalk Couture 2.07.0 compared to Pittsford 2.06.6, Fairytale Princess 2.06.2, Limestone Red 2.06.0).

Clearly not totally devoid of ability based on those numbers, she now tries 1m4f for the first time and with the blinkers on presumably to sharpen her game up in the early part of the race, a decent break from her favourable draw will hopefully lead to a positive outcome.