Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

A typically wide-open renewal of this traditional pre-Cheltenham prize for novices and ASTA LA PASTA (best price 15/2), with the potential to improve significantly for the trip, is fancied to play some sort of role based on his levels of form so far to date. 

Beaten over today’s course on his first handicap outing, Dan Skelton’s gelding has since gone on to land his next two starts back in ordinary novice company and on each occasion, he has posted a particularly decent time figure. 

Making all at Market Rasen back in December, the six-year-old adopted a more circumspect approach at Wetherby a month later, but despite a slight tweak in tactics, he still produced a performance of some note. 

The way he stayed on in the latter stages at the Yorkshire track suggested he wouldn’t have too many concerns over further and out of a dam that thrived over distances between 2m4f and 3m, the son of Walk In The Park rates the each-way alternative to gambled-on ante-post favourite Hasthing, who was given an eye-catching ride on his latest outing at Newbury. 

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The Betfair Hurdle at Newbury was by a long margin the best handicap of its kind run so far this season and with KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (best price 14/1) the chief reason why the final speed was so strong, it makes sense to give Dan Skelton’s another go to make hay at a track where he has gone well before. 

Setting out with the intentions to try and make all at the Berkshire venue, the eight-year-old got pestered for the early lead over the first half a mile and even though he eventually got to the head of affairs down the back straight, the effort to do so finally caught up with him in the dying embers. 

Only able to keep on at the one pace once headed, he still come out of the race with great credit and with connections of the winner, Iberico Lord, willing to supplement Nicky Henderson’s gelding for the Champion Hurdle, it probably puts in context what he was trying to overcome 28 days ago.

Arguably better going right-handed, that theory is borne out by his two strong performances at Ascot earlier in the season and in this race last season (finished an honourable second to Iceo) and providing he’s no softened up at the head of affairs here this afternoon, he has a reasonable chance of going one place better. 

Of the rest who contested the Newbury heat, stable mate Faivior along with Spirit D’Aunou and Go Dante have to go on the shortlist, and for those who like to play around with forecast perms, the quartet are worth boxing up in some exotic wagers. 

DOCTOR KHAN JUNIOR (best price 7/2) has been nothing short of a revelation throughout the winter and with his latest success over today’s C&D going a long way to suggest there might be a good bit more to come, Geoff Oldroyd’s gelding can take the switch from handicaps to pattern company in his stride.  

Overcoming a potentially moderate draw at Southwell previously, the speed figure he posted that day suggested just a 3lb rise in the ratings might not be anywhere near enough to derail him at the Dunstall Park venue next time and so it proved. 

Jumping alertly to assume command at the first corner, the son of Muhaarar bowled along at healthy fractions all the way down the back straight and once kicking for home at the two-furlong pole, he never looked like relinquishing his advantage. 

Posting another smart time figure, he fully deserves a crack at something more meaningful and with a good break from his inside stall, the five-year-old can give it another good rip from the front. 

ES PERFECTO (NAP) (best price 15/8) arrives here with easily the best form courtesy of his excellent display behind Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham two months ago and with conditions on today’s chase course likely to be a good deal more favourable than feared in midweek, Alan King’s inmate can finally gain his due rewards for a series of placed efforts. 

No match for Paul Nicholls’ inmate at the same venue back in November, connections were willing to roll the dice against their old rival over the same C&D last time out and although the son of Shirocco ultimately came up a little short of the mark again, the figures he produced in defeat pointed towards him running a career high by some margin. 

In a race run significantly quicker than the more established chasers won by GA Law, he kept on well to finish a creditable third and with the likes of Blow Your Wad and Prairie Wolf going a long away to represent the form next time out, it would be somewhat of a disappointment it he couldn’t take advantage of the same mark he was prior to that top-class effort.