Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Hermes Allen is clearly the marquee name in this Grade 2 Novices’ Chase but, with his inexperience likely to be put to the test with Nickle Back and Tightenourbelts in the field, MARBLE SANDS (best price 4/1) rates a far more appealing proposition at the morning odds. 

A smart hurdler last season just shy of top class, the seven-year-old did, however, manage to finish one place ahead of his main market rival when fifth in the Ballymore at Festival and he went on to prove that effort was no fluke by finishing a creditable sixth behind Apple Away in the Grade 1 at Aintree a month later. 

Sent to Ayr for his chasing debut on his first start from his new base, the son of Martaline warmed to the task as the race progressed and by the time he had arrived at the last, the sound leap which he required was good enough to see him seal the deal in emphatic fashion. 

Clocking a smart time figure in the process, the fact he managed to score over a trip short of his best bodes well for the rest of the season and with the likelihood of further improvement to come, the honest grey can make a bigger impact than the market affords him. 
 

KANDOO KID’S (NAP) (best price 11/4) application was hard to fault despite his defeat over today’s C&D last time out and a repeat of something similar is likely to see Paul Nicholls’ gelding bang in contention again on his return to the Berkshire venue. 

Strongly supported to build on his promising start to life over fences at Warwick the time before, the seven-year-old grey jumped his way into contention turning for home 22 days ago but try as he might, he just couldn’t quite reel back the positively ridden Galop De Chasse, who got into a lovely rhythm up front.

That said, based on the overall time and final lap sectionals compared to the strongly-contested novices’ handicap won by Inch House on the same card, his effort deserves a bit more praise than it did at the time and armed with the knowledge he can cope with a well-run affair over these demanding fences, this unexposed sort has all the right attributes to be fully effective off his current mark. 

HOE JOLY SMOKE (best price 4/1) could never land a blow in an above-average affair at Chepstow last time out but with the form of the race in question already taking shape and today’s step up in trip seen as a positive move, there’s every chance Dan Skelton’s inmate will prove a good deal more competitive at the business end on handicap debut. 

Held up towards the rear of midfield at the Welsh venue, the seven-year-old worked his way into a position whereby he could at least sniff the leaders coat tails turning for home but from that point it soon became apparent third was the best place he could obtain. Although beaten seven lengths, the numbers he posted in defeat suggest that he could do some damage in handicaps off his current mark and with connections seemingly eyeing a good opportunity with this race 31 days on, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he didn’t prove he’s a potentially well treated horse going forward.