Today's Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

KING’S THRESHOLD (best price 9-2) has cut a bit of a frustrating figure on his three starts over fences to date but, as there have been plausible excuses for each defeat, Emma Lavelle’s inmate is well worth another chance to vindicate the view he still remains a well handicapped horse in this discipline. 

Given way too much to do on his debut over fences at Kempton back in November, the seven-year-old was well backed to make amends at Newbury next time but despite travelling like the likeliest winner turning for home, he failed to see out the trip as well as the first two home on unsuitable rain softened ground. 

Surprisingly strong in the market again at Wincanton last time out despite again tackling heavy ground, the son of Yeats still made a brave attempt in keeping on well behind the in-form Sheldon, and with today’s contest being the first time he has had his conditions since switching from a promising career over hurdles, he makes plenty of appeal as a solid each-way choice at the morning odds. 

QUEEN NEL (NAP) (best price 9-4) impressed both visually and, on the clock, when getting off the mark over hurdles at Gowran 15 days ago and she is strongly fancied to carry forward her progressive profile to this winnable race here today. 

Mildly promising on her first two outings over hurdles against the boys, Ray Cody’s mare was a good deal more prominent in the market back among her own sex at the Co Kenny venue and, having raced generously just behind the pace throughout, she stayed on best of all to win going away in the latter stages, thus justifying the money in her direction. 

What appeared a mandatory victory at first glance, later revealed she had by some way posted the fastest overall and final circuit sectionals of the four hurdle races on the card and considering she was getting stronger as the line approached, her performance carries plenty of merit going forward. 

On the evidence of that display, she clearly thrived for her mid-season break and this strong stayer at the trip has ideal conditions to dish out a similar beating to two more established sorts, who both arrive her off humbling experiences. 

SADIES DIAMOND (best price 10-1) shaped a good deal better than the bare result suggested at Gowran last time out and with the strong possibility of Queen Nel boosting the form just over an hour earlier, Shark Hanlon’s mare is fancied to play a more pivotal role than her morning odds imply. 

A free-going sort, connections have been at pains to get her to settle in her last two starts and although she was ultimately beaten a fair way at the Co Kenny venue last time, she at least finished off her race with plenty more purpose. 

Based on the data from that mares’ only race 15 days ago, she appears to be going in the right direction and with a more positive ride, she should be capable of hitting the frame at the very least. 

BALKO D’ANGE (best price 7-1) created a favourable impression on his debut at Navan 22 days ago and with connections seemingly more than happy to let him take his chance without any hurdles in the way, Philip Fenton’s gelding has all the hallmarks of being a dangerous floater in a race few have obvious claims. 

Held up towards the rear of midfield in the early stages at the Meath track, at least 25 lengths off the leader, it appeared Brian Hayes hadn’t read the memo that his mount was quietly fancied to go well at a big price (backed from 40-1 into 14-1 close to the off) but as it turned out, the end product more than matched the expectations. 

Staying on best of all in the final half a mile, the son of Balko may have actually walked away with the prize but for a mistake at the final flight and in a race where the time figure was the best on the card, his effort in narrow defeat deserves plenty of praise. 

Indeed, his individual numbers ended up being some way clear of all the participants on the hurdles track that day (by 3.4 seconds) and with the strong possibility of even more to come with that initial experience under his belt, he has the engine to make an impact in a race of today’s nature.