Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

AT LIBERTY (best price 3-1) showed a useful turn of foot for a horse of his grade to seal victory at Wolverhampton last time out and even though he faces a formidable opponent in the shape of Tortured Soul, Michael Appleby’s gelding can give it a good lash in his bid to follow up.

A touch disappointing when a beaten favourite at Chelmsford previously, the five-year-old was well supported on his return to a lower grade at the Dunstall Park venue and, after travelling strongly throughout, he came nicely clear in the closing stages once given his head. 

Clocking a smart speed figure five days ago, one of the best on the card, the son of Muhaarar proved not only has he returned to something like his best, but he is clearly more at home over 1m4f, and providing he can translate his latest exploits on his first visit to today’s circuit, he should turn out to be a massive player when the prizes are being dished out. 

A tightly knit handicap chase on paper but HELLO JUDGE (NAP) (best price 3-1), unlike many of his rivals, is a proven C&D winner and that vital attribute can prove the decisive factor in favour of Ann Hamilton’s inmate. 

Already a winner at the Cumbrian track in the past, the eight-year-old was a popular choice with the locals on his return visit last time and despite looking like he may have to settle for a minor role after jumping the last, he rolled up his sleeves and battled on bravely to gain the day close home. 

Clearly well suited by the stiff nature of the course, the way he jumps and travels allied to a willingness to fight once off the bridle makes him an irresistible proposition under ideal conditions.

O’Connell is undoubtably the most talented horses among this field but whether he can tough it out over today’s stiff track against a strong stayer at the trip in the shape of CONCETTO (best price 11-4) is open to debate and Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s inmate is fancied to back up that view based on the figures he produced at Market Rasen last time out. 

Setting out with a clear intent to be more aggressive at the Lincolnshire venue, the seven-year-old tightened the screw even further on the final circuit and by the time he’d arrived at the last, his only threat, Mixedwave, also began to buckle under the strain. Maintaining the gallop all the way to the line, he ended up posting a very smart speed figure and with the runner-up going on to do the form no harm at Huntingdon last week, a repeat of something similar might well prove good enough here today.