Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

No point looking any further than Venetia Williams here as the local handler has scooped this pot for the last four years on the bounce and of her trio of runners, HEVA ROSE (best price 7-2) has by far and away the best claims to make it five. 

A smooth winner at Lingfield when well backed on her seasonal bow, the daughter of Saint Des Saints returned to the same C&D in a repeat bid but unfortunately for her and her supporters, she had the misfortune to bump into the useful Passing Well who was in a particularly unforgiving mood. 
Despite her loss, she did, however, post a decent time figure in defeat and leaving the impression she may be seen to even greater advantage over further, today’s three-mile journey back against her own sex should suit. 

FINDTHETIME (best price 15-2) has produced two Jekyll & Hyde performances so far this term but providing he exhibits the same characteristics as he did last time, Nicky Richards’ gelding is one difficult to resist at his morning odds. 

Pulled up when in a particularly cantankerous mood on his seasonal bow at Sedgefield, the seven-year-old was sent out again quickly in a bid to redeem his reputation and in what turned out to a strongly run affair, his performance couldn’t have been any more contrasting. 

Staying on well late on, he scored with a bit up his sleeve (idled on the run-in) and with the earplugs for the first time seen as the main contributory factor to the turnaround in his fortunes, the son of Shantou can go well again with the same contraption in place.

KERRYHILL (best price 9-1) created a favourable impression when a scoring in the style of a nice type on rules debut at Kelso and with the winning speed figure suggesting the form has a reliable feel to it, the five-year-old’s trek down south looks set to be rewarded. 

A good winner of an Irish point, Ruth Jeferson’s inmate was well supported to make a bright start on his opening gambit at the Borders venue and, having travelled like the best horse throughout, he duly justified the money in his direction with an authoritative success.

Although he only won by three quarters of a length from the proven form horse Cadell, he did so with a shade more up his sleeve the margin suggests and with the distinct possibility of more to come with that all important experience under his belt, he not only looks overpriced to confirm placings with his old rival, but to clip the wings of several high profile northern based names. 

TWOSHOTSOFTEQUILA (best price 5-1) faces by far and away his toughest task to date, but he does have two things in his favour – namely good ground and solid C&D form – so he might be capable of punching above his weight. 

A consistent performer as a novice last season, his only blip coming at the end of the campaign when he was probably over the top, Rebecca Menzies’ inmate has reverted to type with another couple of sound placed efforts in open company since his return to action. 

Runner-up to the progressive Hello Judge at Carlisle back in October, the six-year-old filled out the same position when following home a similar type in the shape of Some Scope at Catterick last time and given the way he hit the line at the Yorkshire venue, it was clear a step up to three miles suited him far better than it had done previously. 

As smooth winner on his only previous start at today’s track last season, the son of Snow Sky very much benefitted from a patient ride on that occasion and with those tactics likely to be in operation on his return visit, you can see him creeping away before once again being delivered with a telling challenge at the business end.

BONTTAY (NAP) (best price 11-4) may have not won by far at Hereford last time out, but she did clock a smart time for a race of its kind and with today’s course expected to play even more into her strengths, Fergal O’Brien’s mare can maintain her progression up the ranks. 

Returning for a 226-day break at the Midland track, the six-year-old was an extremely warm order to make a winning start to the campaign and despite looking in a spot of bother at several stages of a very strongly run affair, she ultimately came through powerfully at the end to land the gamble. 

Needing every yard of the sharp two miles to score 40 days ago, it’s easy to see why her connections have stepped her up in trip and with an overall record of never being of the first two in nine career starts, anything other than another bold display will be totally out of character.