Monday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MORRICONE (best price 4/1) has developed a bit of love affair with today’s track in recent times and following a sumptuous victory on his latest instalment, Ray Hackett’s gelding looks good for another positive outcome.

A promising fourth on his first start for new connections at the Co Kildare venue, the seven-year-old was fitted with the cheekpieces when returning to the same track a month later and for nine tenths of the 2m3f journey, he looked like he was going to oblige. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite see the trip out as well as the eventual winner, Petite King, but he soon made amends on his latest encounter 21 days ago.

Once again travelling with his usual verve, the son of Shantou sauntered into the lead after the second last and he only had to be nudged out in the closing stages to record a facile fourth length success.

Whether two miles suits him better than today’s trip only time will tell, but either way, he is always likely to give himself every chance of being competitive because of his high cruising speed and he looks sure to play a pivotal role no matter how you strip this race down.

NO FUSSING (best price 7/2) was just touched off by a well handicapped rival here last time out but with the pair well clear of the rest, her effort strongly hinteds he wouldn’t be too far away from getting her head back in front soon and back at the scene of that effort, Tim Doyle’s inmate can justify that belief.

Given too much to do on her previous start at the same track, her pilot was a little more switched on for his return visit a month later but even though he timed his challenge to perfection, his mount couldn’t quite match the finishing kick of the winner, who rallied well to get back up in the dying strides.

Despite that narrow defeat, there are plenty of positives to be taken from that encouraging display and now back among her own sex, the eight-year-old mare has a golden opportunity to add to her only other previous win over hurdles.