Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

It’s fair to say Ben Pauling has arguably the best bunch of novices through his hands he’s ever had and even though PIC ROC (best price 5/1) is not one of the leading lights, he’s still good enough to land a race of today’s nature judged on what he’s achieved so far.

Shaping as though he would be better for the run on his first outing of the season behind the top class Gidleigh Park at Newbury back in December, there was plenty of confidence behind him on his most recent start at Catterick and for large portions of that above-average affair for the track, he looked like he might justify second favouritism.

Sweeping to the front two out, the six-year-old made a bold bid for the line but hot in pursuit was the well-backed market leader Hasthing who eventually overhauled him in the latter stages. That said, the pair were well clear of some useful sorts and with the overall time and final circuits sectionals staking up in their favour, his performance must go down as a big improvement on his first instalment over hurdles.

Although he has raced twice on soft ground so far this term, he’s left the impression better ground will suit and hailing from a yard that has a particularly strong record at today’s venue, the son of Mount Nelson rates a decent each-way proposition at the morning odds.

QUEEN OF ZAFEEN (best price 11/4) made a bright start to her career with a victory of some substance at Southwell last month and although she’s up against several promising filles in her pursuit of a repeat bid, Richard Hughes’ inmate has enough quality to prove equal to the task.

Jumping alertly to race just in behind the pace at the Midland venue, it was noticeable she was a little keen in the early stages, but despite this slight negative, she still managed to finish off her race with plenty of purpose and come through strongly at the business to claim the spoils.

In doing so she clocked a useful time figure and with the strong possibility of even more to come, the daughter of Ten Sovereigns has bright prospects of doubling up providing she can obtain some early cover from her outside gate.

BALDOMERO (best price 4/1) is by no means a serial winner, but at the same time you can’t fault him for his consistency and in what looks to be one of the weakest races he’s contested for a while, Mick Appleby’s loyal followers can finally be rewarded. 

Take his latest effort for instance, although he was beaten four lengths behind the smart Brewing at Kempton last time out, the speed of the race in question suggested he’d run somewhere close to his best in recent times and that was on the back of several other near misses. 

Runner-up to the likes of Admiral D, Rousing Encore, Chipstead and Probe in quality handicaps, you fancy any of those four to make hay in a race of today’s nature and with some firms preparing to offer three places, the son of Shalaa should easily fill one of those spots at the very least. 

LOUGH NIGARA (best price 11/4) showed huge improvement on his previous achievements at Punchestown last time out and with the key to that performance stemming from a marked step up in trip, the seven-year-old rates a confident choice to continue his progress in this similar heat.

Down the field over two miles against the likes of Reding Tommy Wrong and No Flies On Him in maiden hurdles, Matthew Daly’s inmate was stepped up a whole mile on his first attempt in handicap company at the Co Kildare track and, after travelling noticeably well throughout, he came home to good effect to finish on the coat tails on the two main players.

Considering that was the first time he’d had the gun properly put to his head, his effort deserved quite a bit of praise and with the form given a timely boost by No Fussing back at the same track on Monday (only lost out in a bobbing finish), big things are expected of this smooth-travelling type here this afternoon.