Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FRENCH HIGHLANDS (best price 5-1) has been set a couple of sterns tasks against opponents of a useful standard since switching her attentions to hurdles and with her latest performance noted for its strong data for the grade, Lucinda Russell’s handicap debutante can cause some damage off an opening mark of 101. 

Although she couldn’t quite come to terms with both Tedtwo and Joker De Mai at the Borders venue, she did keep on well to finish a creditable third and with the time figure speaking very favourably of that two-mile novice event, she arguably comes here with the strongest form next to her name. 

Furthermore, the fourth horse home that day, Foster’s Fortune (beaten 38 lengths), went on to show the value of the race in question when bolting up off an opening mark of 91 at Sedgefield last week (now 97) and having finish 30 lengths in front of Chris Grant’s subsequent winner, it makes sense to follow the same line of form in a race against her own sex. 

You can back Andy Holding's tips at a guaranteed best price through oddschecker by clicking the odds widgets below the tips.

There’s no denying Ancient Wisdom is the pick of today’s field based on last season’s two-year-old form, but at the same time, he will have to be right on top of his game to contend with CAVIAR HEIGHTS (best price 9-2) - one of the middle-distance stars of the new campaign - and at the morning odds, Karl Burke’s inmate looks a bit of a no-brainer for value seekers. 

Third in a red-hot renewal of the Fielden Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal bow, the son of Sea The Stars returned to HQ to contest a similar prize three weeks later and despite being sent of a 7-1 poke in a five-strong field, he demonstrated how good his previous effort was with some panache. 

Always travelling easily behind a strong pace set by Sayedaty Sadaty, he edged into the lead two out and from that juncture, he strode clear of his rivals to eventually score by four lengths. Posting a time figure that even surpassed his previous performance, he arrives here with the clear best numbers on the board and providing he can run to a similar standard for the third time in succession, a Derby bid could well be on the cards. 

WHAT A JOHNNY (NAP) (best price 2-1) looked a horse to keep on side based on the data he produced when scoring over today’s C&D last time out and in a race that appears his for the taking, he deserves to be played accordingly. 

Extremely well backed to appreciate the step up to 2m4f for the first time under rules, the former pointer looked in a spot of bother turning out of the back straight but once in line for the judge, he really kicked in the turbo and following a good jump at the last, he soon assumed command to ultimately score with plenty to spare. 

Not only did Olly Murphy’s inmate post a smart overall figure, but he also ran the final circuit a second quicker than his stable mate Rambo T over the same C&D and considering he is rated 130, it puts into perspective the level he ran to 21 days ago and how well treated he still appears to be going forward. 

TINGARRAN EXPRESS (best price 11-4) was set a task she was always unlikely to overcome at Tipperary last time out but despite that slightly ill-judged ride, she ran well enough to warrant keeping on side for the foreseeable future and, at a track that allowed her to finally make a breakthrough previously, the seven-year-old rates a strong choice to get back on course. 

Good on the numbers here a month ago, it was easy to see why she was a warm order to follow up at the Limerick Junction venue just five days later but heading out onto the final circuit with only one behind her, she unsurprisingly just came up a bit short in her bid to claw back the thick of 20 lengths in such a short space of time. 

The fact she almost pulled off the impossible suggests, however, she remains in top shape and now heading back to one of her favourite venues with three furlongs extra to aid her cause, everything looks set fair for her to return to winnings ways. 
 

ANSWERING (best price 9-1) seems to be maintaining a decent level of form despite being subjected to a fair heavy workload and having proven his suitability to today’s track with an excellent effort behind subsequent Gallagher’s runner-up, Jimmy Du Seuil, earlier in the campaign, Timothy Doyle’s gelding should be capable of going close in a race of this nature. 

Following that smart effort back in January, the nine-year-old went on to finish a creditable second to the 134-rated Chosen Witness at Thurles and his subsequent victory over yesterday’s Tipperary winner Toor Khov also reads well in the context of tonight’s affair. 

Eighth of 24 in an ultra-competitive Punchestown handicap last time can’t be considered a total disaster and once pulling all the strands together, it seems inconceivable how he can be chalked up at 9-1 given the list of positives in his direction.