Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FROM THE CLOUDS (best price 4-1) appreciated the drop back to two miles when successful over today’s C&D last time out and although he faces a tough rival on his return to the same track in the shape of Young Jack, Lucinda Russell’s inmate receives the vote as the value call. 

Too keen for his own good when having his first run for new connections over today’s course two months ago, the seven-year-old was dropped back in trip to see whether his natural exuberance could be curbed and, as it turned out, the decision ended up being a fruitful one. 

Racing nicely just in behind the speed early, the son of No Risk At All edged to the front on the approach to the second last and despite being strongly challenged by the persistent Tineggiore, he kept on in brave fashion to repel his main rival on the run to the line. 

Clearly well suited by a decent gallop, on a stiff track and testing ground, everything looks set fair for him to go well again today on his return visit. 

TRANSMISSION (best price 16-1) has a bit to find on the book based on his latest effort behind Saint Davy at Sandown, but with the possibility of today’s ground and track suiting him better, Neil Mulholland’s rates a sporting choice of turning around the form. 

Heading into the Esher venue following a remarkable victory at Plumpton (jockey did miraculously to stay in the saddle at the sixth), the son of Doyen was quite rightly one of the main fancies to capture a more competitive affair a month on but things never really panned out in his favour right from the start and a couple of sloppy jumps at the last two hurdles finally put a nail in his coffin. 

That said, he kept on well to finish a creditable fifth and when you consider his yard was bang out of form at the time, his effort in defeat probably wasn’t as bad than first feared. Safe in the knowledge his Wiltshire handler is now in a healthier state and with today’s slower ground hopefully more beneficial, the seven-year-old is worthy of a small each-way interest at the morning odds. 

FLEGMATIK (best price 9-4) has hardly put a foot wrong over today’s course and following one of his best performances in an extremely competitive three-mile handicap at the last meeting, Dan Skelton’s inmate can round off a tremendous week for the Warwickshire handler. 

Victorious over subsequent Ultima hero Chianti Classico at the Sunbury track previously, the nine-year-old was fancied to add to his superb track stats over the same C&D last time out and although he ultimately came up a little short in the final reckoning, the way he travelled and jumped throughout the three-mile journey suggested he still remains in peak form. 

Equally effective over today’s shorter trip, the strongly-travelling chestnut can add to course stats that read 3110214. 

Fergal O’Brien endured a pretty turbulent week at Cheltenham, the none participation of Dysart Enos arguably the low point, but in the shape of AUTONOMOUS CLOUD (best price 6-1), the Naunton handler has a chance to gain compensation in the weekend’s feature. 

A progressive novice last season, the eight-year-old rounding off his campaign with a gritty display on this very card and with that performance the second time in succession he’d gone well at today’s track, it makes sense to think connections have had this race in mind every since. 

Back with a bang when returning to his happy hunting ground following a 253-day break, he took a backward step when pulling up on his latest outing in the Welsh National, but as he was found to have bled from the nose on that occasion, he deserves to be cut some slack. 

Other than his latest blip, he still has a progressive profile and with today’s conditions likely to suit him more than most, a big effort looks on the cards.