Andy Holding is back with two tips for today's racing action, with both runners coming from Hereford.
14:28 Hereford
MATTIE ROSS (best price 12/1) shaped better than her finishing position suggested in a quite a decent novice event at Doncaster recently and with that run expected to bring about a reasonable amount of improvement in Richard Philips’ inmate, a more positive outcome should be forthcoming.
Having her first outing for 649 days on Town Moor, the eight-year-old wasn’t fancied to be troubling the judge after such a long layoff (sent off 80/1) and although that viewpoint ended up ringing true, the work she did in the final half a mile certainly boded well for the future. Towards the rear at halfway, the daughter of Champs Elysees made up significant ground to race on the heels of the leaders turning for home and although she only made belated late in roads from that juncture, she did so without being unduly punished.
Based on the data from that race 20 days ago, even allowing for the fact she got beaten 28 lengths she still recorded a useful speed figure and, in a race where he doesn’t appear to be up against any superstars, a performance of a similar standard should see this former soft ground bumper winner competitive at the very least.
15:28 Hereford
Hill Of Tara is understandably the focus of attention here after laying down the law for the third time at Haydock last week but in the shape of MACTAVISH (best price 7/2), he does face an opponent equally on the rise through the ranks and at the morning odds, the vote goes in favour of Matt Sheppard’s gelding.
Third to subsequent Ascot scorer Top Cloud on his first visit to today’s venue back in October, the seven-year-old went on to score on his next two starts at the Midland track and even though he failed in his bid to complete the hat trick at Taunton last time, his effort in defeat still suggested he is continuing to progress.
Trying three miles for the first time, he stayed on strongly all the way to the line to finish just behind the two other form horses in the race, Gyllen and Wot Your Wearing and with the trio well clear of the rest, the form looks pretty solid for the grade.
Back to his happy hunting ground having proven that he stays the trip well, the locally trained gelding can keep the favourite honest at the very least.
