Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

As highlighted by Beat The Bat here yesterday, the novices’ hurdle won by Masaccio was an extremely good one of its kind and having shown up prominently until just getting a little tired late on, SALADINS SON (best price 13/2) can keep the flag flying for the same form line.

Disputing the lead early, Chris Gordon’s inmate forced his way to the front heading out onto the final circuit and having set strong fractions for the thick end of two miles, he still held every chance from three out. Unfortunately, a mistake at this juncture was exacerbated by another slow leap at the next hurdle and by the time he had got to the last, his race was run.

Off the track for 225 days prior to shipped up at the Welsh venue, one would like to think he would come on considerably for the run and with the data from 25 days ago suggesting he is clearly no mug, the son of Tobougg deserves to be played accordingly despite being up against several highly regarded types.

A promising fifth in the same race, it would come as no surprise either if Genietoile was to outrun his morning odds.

PARK ANNONCIADE (best price 4/1) has a profile to suggest he is very much going in the right direction and following his most notable success to date, the five-year-old can announce himself on an even bigger stage.

Unsuited by heavy ground at Perth previously, Stuart Crawford’s gelding went searching for better conditions at Ayr last time out and in what turned out to be a well-run affair, he came through strongly to get the better of a titanic tussle with Ginger Mail on the run-in.

Unsurprisingly, considering the nature of the speed figure at the Scottish venue, the form has already begun to work out with the third-placed Ip Up winning in impression fashion at Fakenham in midweek and with the services of Ben Bromley on board effectively taking him back down to the same mark (109), anything other than a positive outcome must go down as a bit of a head scratcher.

WILLIAM CODY (NAP) (best price 9/4) ran a race full of promise on his seasonal bow at Wetherby last time out and now heading back in the direction of his happy hunting ground, Pam Sly’s gelding can make it course win number three.

Having his first run for 216 days, the six-year-old travelled up strongly on the run down to the third last but a bad mistake soon put him on the back foot, and it was an error that he could never really recover from. He did, however, keep on gamely all the way to the line and considering the underfoot conditions were far from ideal, his performance in defeat must go down as a real positive one.

2-3 over fences over today’s C&D and with drying ground to suit, the consistent sort can continue the good little run of his stable in recent weeks.

Boothill is very much the standard bearer for this two-mile handicap having once again proven his love for today’s track last time but lurking in the midst is old rival SAINT SEGAL (best price 6/1) and at the prices, Jane Williams’ inmate rates the value call to exact revenge from their clash 21 days ago.

Having his first outing for 219 days, the five-year-old raced extremely exuberantly in the lead for the first three quarters of the race – which is not normally his run style - and turning for home, he still had his rivals at full stretch. From this point onwards, however, his lack of a previous outing began to take its toll and by the time he’d arrived at the last, he was a spent force. That said, having looked like he was going to finish a well-beaten fourth, he did rally to the cause to eventually get back up for third and now that he is proven he can handle today’s track, connections will no doubt be buoyed for his return visit.

Looking at today’s field, the sight of Corrigeen Rock and Aucunrisque mean that the son of Saint Des Saints can afford to be ridden with a little more restraint in behind the pace and with the strong possibility of more to come from this unexposed young chaser, his odds around the 6-1 mark make him an appealing each-way proposition in a dead eight runner field.

ABSOLUTE QUEEN (best price 9/2) performed with great promise on her first attempt at 1m4f here last time out and with connections seemingly more than happy to go with the consensus and step her up even further in trip, George Boughey’s can provide the remarkable Billy Loughnane with yet another winner at his local track.

An encouraging third over the extended 1m1f at the Midland venue previously, the way she stayed on in the dying embers that day suggested she was worth a try over further and based on the evidence a week ago, stamina doesn’t appear to be in short supply. Once again coming home strongest from two out, she left the impression she may have won if the race had panned out a little more favourably and with tonight’s contest offering her a chance to put matter right, the unexposed three-year-old can grasp the opportunity with both hands.