Sunday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Willie Mullins clearly holds all the aces in this Grade 3 contest and although the market suggests Mirazur West has a bit in hand over stable mate FUN FUN FUN (best price 5-2), time may tell that theory proves a bit misleading. 

A bit disappointing when failing to fulfil odds-on favouritism at Thurles two starts ago, the daughter of Martaline was on a recovery mission at Exeter last time out and under a positive ride from the front, she justified the trip over the Irish Sea. Beating a horse of some note in the shape of Favour And Fortune at the west country venue, she also posted a time figure far superior to anything her stable mate has achieved so far, and likely to be ridden in a similar mode her today, she might prove a tough nut to crack.

The presence of southern raider Fourofakind is no doubt something the locals could do without but HARPER VALLEY (best price 5-1) looks one of the few capable of repelling Harry Derham’s raider and he rates a strong choice to keep the ball rolling until he gets to the final of this series later in the campaign. 

Strong in the market at the Yorkshire venue despite being up against track specialist Hajey, the seven-year-old was given a confident ride by Ross Chapman and when delivered with a potent challenge turning for home, he exhibited too man gears for his main rival and he sped away in the latter stages to score with a degree of comfort. 

Familiar with today’s surroundings courtesy of his fine effort behind the useful Ballyporeen over the C&D last season, the son of Leading Light has his ideal conditions to make a big impact on his return visit. 

ESPANITO BELLO (best price 4-1) warmed up nicely for a repeat bid in this race with a decent effort behind crack two-miler Ferny Hollow here last time out and with an overall record at the Co Kildare venue that reads 112410113, it’s hard to envisage Barry O’Connell’s inmate not having a huge say in the outcome. 

Up against a horse who still had Champion Chase aspirations at the time, the 10-year-old was always likely to struggle in that sort of environment but to his great credit, he gave it a real go and to come out the contest only being beaten six lengths was a fair effort. 

A winner over hurdles at today’s track earlier in the season, the form of that race has worked out well with the runner-up, Gaoth Chuil, to name one, going on to achieve much better things throughout the season and it was yet another performance on his highlight reel that showcased his love affair with his happy hunting ground. 

Good on the eye and the clock twelve months ago, he returns to the scene of that career high performance in rude health based on the evidence of his latest exploits and he should prove hard to beat again if anywhere near the same form. 

STARSHIBA (best price 9-1) stayed on in taking fashion to finish a creditable third behind in-form Billyjoh here last time out and with today’s extra furlong seen as a positive move based on his previous records, Mick Appleby’s gelding can win at his home track for the first time. 

Largely campaigned between 7f and 1m when with David O’Meara, the seven-year-old made an immediate impact for new connections on his first outing over six furlongs and although he hasn’t managed to add to that tally since, his latest effort over today’s course suggested it’s only a matter of time before he alters that particular course. 

Finishing strongest of all according to the sectional data three weeks ago, the form of the race in question has already begun to take shape with the runner-up winning next time and with today’s opposition well within his range based on that display, he looks overpriced at the early morning prices.