Andy Holding has three horse racing tips for today's bank holiday Monday action in the UK.
14:55 Kempton
RYAN’S ROCKET (NAP) (best price 5-2) looked a novice to keep on side based on his victory at Taunton last time out and with Fergal O’Brien’s inmate arguably bringing the strongest form line to the table, he is fancied to maintain his progress at the expense of favourite, Excelero, who should cut out a pace that suits.
Runner-up to the smart Fiercely Proud at the west country venue on his hurdling debut, the six-year-old returned to the scene of that fine effort a well-backed favourite to take care of business and despite an absence of 103 days, he duly got the job done.
Strong when he needed to be late on, the son of Jet Away ended up posting a very useful speed figure for a race of its kind and with the runner-up, Manuelito, going a long way to prove how good form is at Wincanton next time, he rates a confident choice to follow suit.
RYAN’S ROCKET – 1-point win @ 5-2
15:05 Beverley
PRINCESS ALEX (best price 9-4) benefitted from a forceful ride and a step up to seven furlongs last time out and with fitness assured and likely similar tactics being used to good effect again here today, Karl Burke’s filly looks in prime position to follow up.
Drawn on the outside of the six-strong field at the Yorkshire venue, the daughter of Dark Angel was driven to get over and pick up the running early and at no stage did she ever look like relinquishing her advantage.
The fact the strongly fancied main rival, Shelbourne, couldn’t go the gallop was testimony how much she put her five opponents to the sword and, unsurprisingly, her speed figure complemented the visually aspect of her display.
Housed in stall one today, a good break should see her bag the favourable inside fence and allow her to dictate matters at her own will and with the strong expectation she will be bowling along at the head of affairs turned to face the hill, hopefully she will have enough left in the locker to see the job through in the latter stages.
PRINCESS ALEX – 1-point win @ 9-4
15:40 Beverley
ARDBRACCAN (best price 7-2) won with plenty to spare on her seasonal bow at Nottingham and while today’s test will prove a totally different one in several aspects, Michael Appleby’s filly is fancied to still come out on top.
Having her first run for 189 days at the Midland venue, the five-year-old was still languishing towards the rear with three furlongs to run, but with a devastating and relentless surge inside the final two furlongs, she soon gobbled up her rival and scooted clear to record a facile success.
Leaving the impression she had more left in the locker, she posted a smart time figure for the grade and with the handicapper still seemingly giving her a chance off a rating just 6lb higher, only failure to handle today’s track can prevent her from making another bold bid.
