Tuesday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding featuring three for Punchestown

MORRICONE (best price 11-1) has built up a real affinity with today’s venue throughout the winter and with connections no doubt eying up this prize ever since he crossed the line ahead here back in February, the long term plan can be executed.

A big eyecatcher on his first outing at the Kildare venue for new connections, Ray Hackett’s went a long way to back up that initial effort when runner-up over 2m4f on his return visit a month later and even though there was a slight concern of him dropping back down in trip here next time, he overcame that slight negative with aplomb.

Extremely tough when following up at the next meeting, the son of Shantou arrives back at his favourite venue freshened up and raring to go after an 85-day break and with today’s better ground seen as a big positive towards his chances of completing his hat trick, he makes tons of each-way appeal at the morning odds.

TOTO TOO (best price 8-1) lacks the experience of several more battle-hardened campaigners in this wide-open handicap but at the same time, there’s little doubt he has one of the more progressive profiles of the 25-strong field and providing he receives a relatively trouble-free passage on his first start in this sphere, Gavin Cromwell’s inmate has the raw ability to feature in the outcome.

Having his first outing since leaving Peter Fahey following a below-par display at Cheltenham back in October, the seven-year-old was very well backed to make an immediate impact from his new base at Naas last time out and although he ultimately ended up getting the job done, things didn’t appear too bright after a bad mistake almost derailed his chance at the second last.

Recovering his poise, however, he found a smart turn of foot to bail himself out of jail and considering the ease of his victory against some useful sorts, that included the likes of subsequent winner Stoke The Fire and previous impressive Down Royal scorer, Faulty, his performance deserves plenty of praise.

Clearly a horse with a huge engine on the evidence of that display, the Ocovango gelding has been handed a workable opening mark of 133 and with the prevailing conditions set to suit him more than most, anything other than a top four finish would have to go down as a bitter blow to all concerned.

SPILLANE’S TOWER (best price 3-1) has undoubtably been one of the big success stories in the novice chase ranks this term and with the possibility of even more to come on his first attempt over three miles, Jimmy Mangan’s gelding can sign off the season on a high.

The six-year-old first sprung to prominence when defeating the smart Blood Destiny in a Grade 3 over today’s course back in January and although his old rival turned the tables around over two miles at Navan next time, he was firmly back on track at Fairyhouse last time.

Back over a more suitable trip, the son of Walk In The Park travelled like the best horse throughout and he showed sufficient stamina that day to offer up plenty of hope he will be equally effective over further. 
 

SUGARPIEHONEYBUNCH (best price 5-1) can be counted a shade unfortunate not to have finished closer than she did in a similar contest here last week but with today’s step up in trip taken as a positive step, Simon West’s mare can improve on her final position at the very least.

Held up towards the rear at the Yorkshire venue, the six-year-old was in an uncompromising position turning out of the back straight and although she made some belated late headway inside the final furlong, having her run impeded several times in that juncture ultimately cost her a place on the podium.
Considering the speed figure of the race and subsequent form shown by the winner, Corsican Caper, at Doncaster last week, she looks the one to beat on the evidence of that form.