Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

ASTRO KING (best price 5-1) does have his stamina to prove on his first attempt over today’s trip but given how strong he was in the backend of his two best performances last season over 1m2f, a chance is taken on Daniel & Clare Kubler’s warrior more than holding his own against many sexier rivals on paper. 

Winner of last season’s Cambridgeshire over today’s course back in September, the seven-year-old was bidding to add to his fine record on the Rowley Mile in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes over the same C&D and although he came up a little short on the day, he still ran somewhere close to a career high. 

Hitting the line strongly on that occasion, he looks well worth an opportunity to see what he can do over further and with fitness on his side, it would come as no surprise if he were to step up to the plate. The only caveat would be a dramatic change in conditions due to forecast rain. 

Willie Mullins looks to have another strong hand in this competitive handicap chase but Henry de Bromhead has managed to get himself among the winners this week and TOSS AGAIN (best price 25-1), back on his favoured decent ground, has a better chance of upsetting the Closutton applecart than his odds imply. 

Laid out for the Galway Blazers at their festival back in August, jumped and travelled for fun against a 17-strong field of established handicappers and with the time figure one of the fastest during the entire six-day meeting, it was easy to see why he was a short price to follow up against just one opponent at Listowel next time out. 

Unfortunately for his supporters, he failed to reach anywhere near the same heights on totally contrasting ground and a similar scenario occurred once the rain fell again when last seen at Cheltenham 188 days ago. 

Clearly capable of great things when fresh and encountering genuine good ground, the son of Malinas looks a daft price on the pick of his best form. 

THE CAMDEN COLT (best price 11-2) by no means has the sexiest profile in this three-year-old handicap but he does have strong C&D form next to his name and with his latest exploits going a long way to confirm that fact, Richard Hannon’s can stake his claim on his next adventure on the Rowley Mile. 

Sat just behind the pace at halfway here 17 days ago, the chestnut loomed up to hold every chance going passed the bushes and although he stayed on in determined fashion from that juncture, he couldn’t quite come to terms with the shock winner, who just kept pounding out the fractions at the head of affairs.

Still, it was more than a satisfactory start to the new campaign and being one of only two horses in today’s field with the experience of encountering today’s unique and demanding track, the son of Footstepsinthesand looks sure to go well providing the rain doesn’t intervene. 

ANOTHERWAY (NAP) (best price 2-1) was in the process of running a huge race when he capsized at the second last at Fairyhouse last time out and providing Willie Mullins’ gelding has suffered no lasting damage from that untimely exit, he can get back on track over a C&D that witnessed him run right away with his previous outing. 

Having nothing to do with the early pace at the Meath track, the five-year-old worked his way into contention rounding the home bend and just as he was about to raise a potent challenge, he dived at two out and ended up on the floor. 

Considering the way he was travelling at the time, it’s safe to say he would have been involved in the shake-up and if that’s the case, he would arrive here the only runner with genuine Grade 2 form. If there is a slight question mark over his claims, today’s quicker ground is the only unknown but being as most of his form back in his native France was achieved on a slick surface, the mind is put at ease on that score.