Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

BOTH BARRELS (best price 11/4) lacked both the pace and class of a trio of highly regarded novices on his hurdles debut Carlisle but working on the theory that he faces a much easier examination here this afternoon and, just as importantly, a sterner test that will play more into his strengths, Donald Whillans’ gelding is fancied to make a bigger impact second time around.  

Useful in bumpers, began his new vocation in what had to be considered an above-average novice event a month ago and as it turned out, he struggled to keep tabs on the likes of Johnnywho (considered one of the best prospects in Jonjo O’Neill’s yard), 125-rated Moon D’Orange and previously impressive Hexham winner, Whistle Stop Tour. 

That said, even allowing for the fact he ended up getting beaten 10 lengths, he still produced a time figure that suggested he had run to a high standard and with today’s extra yardage and heavy ground likely to suit him more than most, a bold show looks on the cards.

Two decent-looking divisions of a novices’ hurdle on paper and both can go the way of the penalised pair, FIERCELY PROUD (best price 13/8) and BALLEE (best price 11/8).

The former was considered good enough to tackle both champion bumpers at the big spring festivals and although he failed to cut much ice in either, Ben Pauling’s inmate was by no means disgraced (fourth British-trained horse home at Cheltenham). 

Making his hurdles debut at the Hereford a month ago, the four-year-old took a while to warm to his task, but once in full cry from the back of the second last, he powered his way to a comfortable success.

Clocking a very smart speed figure in the process, the son of Iffraaj left the impression there could be even more to come next time and if that theory does work out to be the case, he is going to be very hard to beat despite up against several promising types.

The latter had to get the job done in slightly harder fashion over today’s C&D but he too, also posted an above-average time figure for a race of its kind. Never giving hot favourite Matterhorn a moments peace, he gradually wore down the previously impressive C&D winner and, in the end, he won with a little bit in hand.

A fine, big chasing type, for whom the future looks bright, it will also take a massive effort from one of his rivals to lower his colours back at the scene of his initial success. 

Advised Bet: 1pt Double

DIDEROT (best price 20/1) ran inexplicably poorly by his standards when last seen back in June, but with the pause that refreshes seen as a positive rather than a negative given his record after a break, James Ferguson’s inmate is fancied to outrun his generous-looking odds. 

A busted flush way before the taps were really turned at the Essex venue 189 days ago, maybe his previous five races caught up with him or, better known as a winter and spring performer, running on a hot day in the middle of summer just wasn’t his thing.

Either way, it was an effort no way in-keeping with his overall all-weather profile, and he is better judged on three victories on the surface and some of his narrow defeats. 

112 when he has been off the track for 100 days or more, he also has a decent record at tonight’s venue and with a mile, on balance, probably his preferred trip, the five-year-old is worth a small interest to overcome the decision by bookmakers to overlook him. 

QUEENSLAND BOY (best price 15-2) has put together a decent series of performances since joining the all-weather ranks and following his best effort according to the figures at Lingfield last time out, another positive outcome looks on the cards. 

Sent off favourite at the Surrey venue on the back of a slightly unlucky effort at Wolverhampton previously, Ian Willaims’ gelding held every chance off the home turn but whereas the eventual winner, Mistress Light, found an immediate injection of pace that carried him three lengths clear, he just took a while to get into top gear and couldn’t make up the lost deficit in time. 

The way he stuck to his task late on, however, suggested he may do better with a stiffer examination and with tonight’s better race likely to provide with such a test, the son of Australia can prove to be a dangerous floater at the foot of the weights.