Andy Holding is back with two tips for today's action, including a NAP at Dundalk.
16:07 Wolverhampton
MASTER OF COMBAT (best price 13/2) has done his set of connections proud during the winter months and following another solid performance at Southwell last time out, Kevin Frost’s inmate has a decent chance of scoring for the fourth time since October.
Working his way through the ranks to contest a hot Class 3 event at the Midland venue 10 days ago, Kevin Frost’s gelding found himself in a poor position as the field turned for home (last) but to his great credit he finished his race off best of all to claim third place on the line (last three furlong of 34.3 compared to winner’s 34.8) and considering that was his first attempt at the track and he challenged up the unfavoured inside of the course, his performance deserved even more merit.
Posting one of his best speed figures so far in defeat, the form of the race has already begun to take shape with the fourth-placed horse, Larado, winning at Lingfield yesterday and now heading back to a venue where he has struck up a strong bond with over the last few months, a more positive ride can result in maximum rewards.
19:30 Dundalk
DREAMS FLED AWAY (NAP) (best price 9/4) turned what looked a competitive handicap over tonight’s C&D into a bit of a procession last time out and with the numbers stacking up in his favour from that contest 21 days ago, a strong case is made for Shane Crawley’s gelding duplicating that success.
A promising third when fitted with the first-time blinkers over the 1m4f trip at Co Louth venue three starts back, the five-year-old came unstuck when asked to make the running over two miles next but he didn’t have to wait long before rebounding back in the right direction.
Reverting to more patient hold up tactics, the son of Elzaam made smooth headway to stalk the pace turning for home and once set alight inside the final two furlongs, he found a ready turn of foot to pull clear. In doing so, he posted a smart speed figure for the grade and with the view held that he could have come out of that romp with more punishment than the 7lb he was afforded, he’s fully expected to take advantage of the leniency against similar opposition.
