Thursday Horse Racing Tips From Andy Holding

STORMY JUDGE (best price 28-1) is better known for his exploits over fences, but he didn’t run too badly in quite a hot race over hurdles at Fairyhouse last time out and with conditions likely to make this attritional, Pat Fahy’s grey’s stamina should allow him to play a bigger part than his odds suggest. 

Never a threat on his seasonal bow over two miles at Gowran a month ago, the eight-year-old was sent off the 100-1 rank outsider of the entire field in a rated novice hurdle at the Co Meath venue next time and although he never looked likely to bely those odds, he did manage to finish ahead of some useful types by staying on nicely from the rear into a creditable fourth. 

In doing so, it’s worth pointing out he ran the final circuit in a time comparably to the smart pair of novices Firefox and Ballyburn and the form has also begun to take shape with the runner-up finishing a slightly unlucky third in a Grade 2 at Limerick on Boxing Day (might have won with a stronger gallop). 

A dual winner over fences, including over today’s trip on heavy ground, the son of Fairly Ransom has exhibited enough ability since his return from a long sabbatical to suggest he could easily exploit a mark over hurdles 28lb lower than his chase mark. 

The maiden hurdle won by Blizzard Of Oz at Punchestown recently worked out pretty well on the figures and having stuck to his guns to finish a creditable third, BEAU WALKING (best price 7-2) is fancied to more than hold his own against this level of competition. 

Placed behind to improving types in the shape of Stellar Story and Waterford Whispers on his two previous hurdle encounters, Jessica Harrington’s inmate faced another potentially top-class prospect who had shown solid form in quality bumpers last season and although he couldn’t match Willie Mullins’ star off the home turn and to the line, he never shirked his responsibilities either. 

The way he kept on in that well run affair indicated he doesn’t mind rolling his sleeves up on heavy ground and with today’s conditions likely to prove the most testing seen in Ireland so far this term, he is one of a few guaranteed to keep plugging away.

Unlike many races of this ilk in the UK, a Grade 1 represented in the best traditions of the game by their Irish counterparts and in what should prove to be a proper test at the trip, GERRI COLUMBE (best price 11-4) and I AM MAXIMUS (best price 12-1) maybe the two best equipped to cope with the examination paper handed out. 

The former has hardly put a foot wrong since joining the chasing ranks and he is unlucky to not remain undefeated. Apart from that short-head reversal in the Brown Advisory at the hands of The Real Whacker, Gordon Elliott’s inmate has been on a one-way mission to get to the top of the tree in this division and his victory on his first start away from novice company was a snapshot into things to come further down the line.

Although he made heavy weather of beating the likes of Envoi Allen and Conflated at Down Royal, the fact that he did manage to get up from off the canvas says a lot for his determination and with connections having chosen to come here rather search for easier pickings in The King George, their decision will hopefully be handsomely rewarded. 

The latter probably hasn’t the class of some of the more illustrious names in the line-up, but he does stay extremely well and it’s that guaranteed stamina that might prove the telling factor at the business end. 

Winner of the Irish National after running a gallant race behind Gerri Columbe in the Brown Advisory, the fact he managed to show enough class to defeat subsequent Grade 1 hero Found A Fifty over 2m4f in the Drinmore on his first run for 237 days tells us plenty about his character and with today’s left handed galloping track likely to play more into his strengths, Willie Mullins’ gelding can prove he’s not here just to make up the numbers. 

No doubt connections of many of these will have one eye on the final in March but in the hope both GAOTH CHUIL (best price 7-1) and BROOMFIELD BIJOU (best price 25-1) are allowed to run on their merits, the pair are taken against the field. 

The former probably has the soundest credentials of the pair having already proven herself in big-field handicaps over today’s track and her first two efforts this season have gone a long way to suggest she can add to her most notable victory at the Dublin Racing Festival here last campaign. 

Best of the rest when chasing home all-the-way winner Dancing Jeremy in a competitive 2m4f handicap at Punchestown following a 180-day break, the daughter of Harzand filled out the same position in The Brown Lad Handicap at Naas last time out and with the latter race considered one of the strongest of its kind so far this term, there was no shame in getting beat by an extremely strong stayer at the trip.

Like quite a few of these today she must prove herself at the trip, but she has stayed 2m5f well before and because she goes so well at today’s track, a chance is taken she proves equal to the task.

The latter is also in the same boat regards the trip, but she is a big enough price for the risk to be taken. A massive improver throughout last season, she rounded off her campaign with a gutsy victory in a hugely competitive handicap at the Punchestown Festival and on the evidence of her two starts this term, she remains progressive.

Trying listed company for the first time back at the Co Kildare venue last time, she couldn’t quite fend off two stronger mares on the day, but she did put up a brave fight from the front all the same and it rates decent form in the context of today’s race.