Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MONVIEL (best price 7/1) ran too badly to be true over fences here last time, suggesting there must have been something amiss, and now back over hurdles off a potentially lenient mark, Harry Derham’s grey can add to his previous course victory.

Having made a bright beginning to his chasing career by pushing the top-class JPR One all the way at Newton Abbot back in October, it was easy to understand why he was sent off a red-hot favourite to go one place better at today’s Berkshire venue a month later.

However, once joined at the head of affairs by Samarrive his jumping began to suffer and, as a result, he ended up finishing last of the four runners, beaten 35 lengths in the process. Reportedly said to have had trouble with his heart 85 days ago, the seven-year-old has been freshened up at home since and having run out an impressive winner on his only other start at today’s track, a chance is taken he can reclaim those glories and put behind him the memories of his performance last time hailing from a stable who are pretty unstoppable form at present.

A good deal rests on whether the classy D Art D Art’s stamina holds out under these conditions so with that in mind, LUMINOUS LIGHT (best price 10/1) seems the most logical opponent to have as a back up plan and at the morning odds, he makes a reasonable amount of appeal as a solid each-way alternative.

Although he ran really well in a competitive rated race at Limerick last time out, he left the impression two miles, even on heavy ground, is too sharp for him and he’s probably better judged in the context of today’s race by his effort at Fairyhouse previously.

Having his first outing for 68 days, Anthony McCann’s gelding stayed on well to finish a creditable third behind Waterford Whispers (second and fifth won since) and with the time figure revealing it was a fair race of its kind, he should give a good account of himself if repeating the same level of form back in handicap company over his optimum trip.

For obvious reasons, it’s been challenging season for Christian Williams on every level but there have been signs in recent weeks that the Glamorgan handler’s string is beginning to work their way out of the slumber and LORD SNOOTIE (best price 8/1) can add his name to the list of positive results.

Without wishing to sugar coat the pill, it’s hard to ignore that fact he arrives here under a cloud having been pulled up at Wincanton when last seen, but in-keeping with how the yard’s horses were running at the time, it was also no massive surprise either.

Better judged on several of his previous efforts, his two performances towards the backend of last season at Uttoxeter and Punchestown read well in the context of today’s race and when you add into the mix his display over today’s C&D back in November (not too far behind Stayers’ Hurdle candidate Crambo), his prospect of going better than his morning odds imply greatly increase.

In light of what Springtime Promise went on to achieve at Grade 2 level the other day, COCO MADEMOSEILLE (best price 6/1) could be afforded a pass for getting beat at odds-on at Huntingdon last time out and with a background to suggest a step up to three miles might bring out further improvement, Dan Skelton’s mare rates a tempting proposition at the morning odds.

Impressive both visually and on the clock when off the mark under rules at Lingfield back in November, the six-year-old mare was punted as if defeat was out of the question at the Cambridgeshire venue next time but unfortunately for her and her supporters, she ended up bumping into a rival of the highest quality and had to settle for an honourable second.

On the plus side, she finds herself on the same rating as she did before that contest 36 days ago and with connections no doubt keen to get her out quickly before that mark gets adjusted retrospectively, the daughter of Doyen should end up being a big player on handicap debut if seeing out the extra half a mile.

LEISSIERES EXPRESS (NAP) (best price 4/1) departed the scene at an early juncture at Chepstow last time out but he is ostensibly a good jumper and he’s fancied to back up that view around a track where’s he shaped well on his first start over fences earlier in the season.

Unable to execute his hold up tactics at Exeter three starts ago, much more testing conditions on his return visit mean the pace setters were more obtainable and having made rapid ground from the back of the field to lead on the run down to the last, he only had to be nudged out on the run-in to score with a bit up his sleeve.

Running well despite the trip being on the short side on his previous visit to today’s west country venue, Jeremy Scott’s inmate will be in his element under testing conditions and providing he stays on his feet on this occasion, he can make light work of this sort of opposition.