Boxing Day Racing Tips from Andy Holding

As we witnessed here at the last meeting, the current ground can make it extremely testing for the runners at the Merseyside venue and with conditions likely to have the biggest bearing on the outcome to this Grade 1 rather than natural ability, French raider JULY FLOWER (best price 6/1) can prove equal to the task.

Too keen for her own good when well beaten in the mares’ champion bumper at this track for old connections, the daughter of Pastorius has seemingly turned over a new leaf since joining her new yard and even though her latest effort at Auteuil resulted in defeat, time may tell she outperformed her two previous victories.

Up against quality geldings at Grade 1 level, she was the only one to offer any sort of resistance to all-the-way winner Losange Bleu in the final half a mile and when you factor she almost lost her pilot with a mistake she made at the seventh, her display warrants extra merit. Prior to that excellent effort she showed an unbelievable turn of foot to make up at least 20 lengths in a short space of time on the front running Dream Messenger over the same course, indicating she could be a star in the making.

Although she drops down slightly in trip this afternoon, the combination of her stamina and turn of foot in the prevailing conditions should stand her in good stead and with the maturity and physique that far outweighs her age, she should prove a danger to all receiving the handy sex allowance. Should she go well here today, no doubt connections will have one on the Mares’ Novices Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival for which she is currently a tempting-looking 25-1 in the village.

An extremely hot-looking juvenile hurdle for which the result should provide a decent pecking order in this division heading into the New Year and although Mighty Bandit probably has the most scope for improvement following his stylish debut success, it might be foolish to ignore the claims of NURBURGRING (best price 13/2) – especially at the prevailing morning odds.

Unlucky not to be unbeaten courtesy of the stewards at Listowel two starts ago, Joseph O’Brien’s inmate was on a mission to put matters right at Fairyhouse last time out and in what turned out to be a very truly run affair, he came through his toughest test to date with fling colours. Staying on best of all in the closing stages, he ended up posting an extremely healthy set of numbers for a race of its kind, highlighted by the fact he managed to run a quicker final overall and circuit times than Farren Glory and Teahupoo, the two Grade 1 winners on the same card.

Clearly a strong stayer at the trip, it’s hard to see three horses being better than him around today’s stiff track and for that reason, he rates a solid each-way alternative to the favourite.

ANSWER TO KAYF (best price 11/2) doesn’t have the sexy profile of some of his more illustrious opponents in this Grade 2 but he does arrive here with one of the strongest pieces of form next to his name and with today’s extra yardage promoting his claims even further, Terence O’Brien’s inmate rates a solid each-way choice at the morning odds.

Out to prove his shock success at 25-1 over today’s course previously was no fluke in a much tougher assignment at Fairyhouse last time, the son of Kayf Tara only found one too good in the shape of Waterford Whispers but with the pair well clear of the rest and the data suggesting he had run way beyond anything he’d previously achieved, there are plenty of crumbs of comfort to be taken by his defeat.

Indeed, if you compare the overall time figure of the race at the Co Meath venue in line with the maiden hurdle fought out by the classy pair Firefox and Ballyburn, it comes out miles better in every department and he would only have to run to a similar level to be a major factor back at a track where he is the only previous winner in today’s field.

GEORGI GIRL (best price 5/1) proved a bitter disappointment for her legion of supporters at Fakenham last time out but as nothing really panned out in her favour at the Norfolk venue, she is worth another chance to build on her encouraging start to the campaign previously.

A promising third in a hot mares’ contest at Hereford following a 238-day break, the daughter of Getaway was a warm order to regain the winning theme in a similar event 15 days later, but the combination of the sharp track and poached ground meant she never looked likely to justify her position in the market as she fell way short of expectations.

Back going right-handed over a track that should play more into her strengths, the lightly raced four-year-old should have no excuses this time around.

GENERAL OFFICER (best price 7/2) seemed well suited by a step up in trip at Doncaster last time out and having come out of that contest relatively unblemished despite the wide margin success, Donald McCain’s gelding can cultivate another victory back at the scene of his previous fine effort.

No match for the useful Master Chewy over two miles here back in October, the son of Soldier Of Fortune was found a good opportunity to go one place better down in grade at the Yorkshire track last time and having stalked the pace going well throughout, he readily picked up the running passing the omitted second last to eventually pull 15 lengths clear.

A fine, big chasing type with the scope to reach greater heights over fences, it’s hard to see him not going well again with seemingly plenty in his favour.

O’CONNELL (best price 7/2) arrives here as a young chaser very much on the upgrade and with both his best and most recent efforts coming over today’s course, Sue Smith’s inmate is strongly fancied to continue his progression.

The only one to keep the well-backed Picks Lad busy in the final half a mile of a strongly run novices’ handicap here a month ago, he went on to prove his liking for the Lincolnshire venue with a smooth victory of his own on his return visit.

Jumping and travelling like a winner right from the outset, the seven-year-old could afford to be eased down in the closing stages once victory was in the bag and with assessor still seemingly some way short of where he is likely to end up over fences, he appears to have a golden opportunity to follow up over a trip that should bring about further improvement. Of the rest, recent Sandown winner, Animal, rates the logical danger based on his profile and speed figures.