Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

EAST STREET (best price 11-2) has twice left the impression that distances beyond three miles might end up suiting him best and with connections quick to seize upon that theory, Sue Smith’s inmate can make a bold bid to win the race named after his former stable mate, who was a multiple winner at today’s track two decades ago. 

Although a dual winner over fences, he can sometimes be a little sloppy over his obstacles and there were several errors in his latest round of jumping at Newcastle that ultimately cost him the prize. The way he finished off his race certainly backed up the view he would have won had been a bit more proficient and it’s for that reason why he couldn’t be recommended for maximum stakes. However, as the rhythm of today’s stamina test should help him weigh up the fences a little better, he is worth chancing at the morning odds.

SHANTY ALLEY (best price 7-1), runner-up in this race last year, looks to have specifically geared around coming back and having another crack at this famous prize and following an outing that should have served the purpose of blowing away the cobwebs at Catterick recently, Ben Case’s inmate has a fair chance of executing the plan.

Having his first outing for 202 days at the Yorkshire track, the nine-year-old unsurprisingly lacked sharpness compared to many race-fit rivals but he did keep on well enough in the latter stages to suggest brighter times lay ahead. 

Form-wise, the race 36 days ago has worked out well since and with today’s more galloping track on softer ground likely to see him to better advantage, one of the oldest contestants in the field can show he still has plenty to offer.

A quality-looking renewal of this mid-season Grade 1 for the staying novices and Willmount is bound to attracted plenty of attention in his bid to further enhance his reputation. Whether he has quite done enough to just yet to justify being such a short price is open to debate and of those who have arguably reached loftier heights already, both LOOKAWAY (best price 6-1) and MASACCIO (best price 18-1) appear overpriced and worth taking against the field. 

How many of today’s opponents would have finished runner-up in this season’s Greatwood is the big question to ask when assessing the former’s credentials and with the answer probably being very few, it’s easy to make a solid case for Neil King’s inmate making the step up in grade in his stride. 
Only finding one too good for him at Cheltenham a month ago, subsequent victories from the likes of Luccia, Sonigino and Go Dante provide in insight into how well he ran that day and prior to that solid effort he’d also accounted for Kamsinas, who went on to score at Grade 2 level at Haydock next time. 
Passing up the chance to continue in handicaps at Ascot prior to Christmas, the decision to come here to seek Grade 1 glory can be rewarded over a trip for which he remains unexposed. 

The latter probably has to find something on the bare basis of his form but his time figures suggest he isn’t a million miles of some of the sexier types in the line-up and at the prices he’s worth a small interest. 

Game when outstaying the useful Beat The Bat in an above average maiden at Chepstow on his hurdling debut, Alan King’s gelding probably would have taken the scalp of the highly regarded Jingko Blue but for a momentum stopping blunder two out here last time and with the final circuit time of the race in question the quicker of the four hurdle contests on the same card, including the two miler won by Hansard, it’s a performance worth noting. 

BALLYCAMUS (best price 5-1) made a bright start to his chasing career with convincing display at Chepstow three weeks ago and with today’s step up in trip seen as a positive move, expected further improvement could make him quite difficult to beat off bottom weight.

A fair staying type over hurdles, deemed slightly unlucky not to land a competitive affair at Warwick previously, connections chose to switch disciplines mid-season with a view to explore new horizons and on the evidence of his effort at the Welsh venue, it’s a decision fully vindicated. 
In what turned out to be a strong race of its kind, highlighted by the smart overall time figure and final circuit sectionals compared to subsequent Welsh National hero Nassalam on the same card, the son of Presenting stayed on best of all in the closing stages to win going away and considering 2m3f would have been right the food chain regards his stamina, his performance deserves extra praise. 

The feature of his round 21 days ago was his sound jumping under the highest scrutiny and with today’s step up in trip and previous form over the track taken as major positives, it would be disappointing if he doesn’t have a huge say in the final analysis with a clear round.