Saturday's Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DASHING DARCY (best price 4-1) did really well under the circumstances at Chester last week and with today’s more conventional straight track seen as a welcome return for Roger Varian’s inmate, he can justify the belief he brings to the table the strongest form lines. 

Missing the break on the Roodee is never a good thing but when you are up against a horse of Never So Brave’s potential, a slow beginning by the son of Muhaarar was ground he could ill afford to lose and even when he did try and make up the lost deficit, he was forced to do so by racing wide around the home turn. 

To get with two lengths of a horse who has aspirations of becoming a group horse wasn’t a bad return and up against a field of less magnitude, it would be disappointing to say the least if he wasn’t capable of going close to getting his head back in front. 

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BLACK RUN (best price 9-1) showed quality and determination in equal measures when landing a viciously competitive handicap at Newmarket last time out and even though he will need to go to the well again to see off this similar field, Paul & Oliver Cole’s colt might just have what it takes. 

Setting strong fractions from the outset at HQ, he looked vulnerable when joined by the more patiently ridden Sun God approaching the final furlong, but once meeting the rising ground, he showed a never-say-die attitude to see off his chief challenger in the run to the line. 

Clocking a good time figure in the process, the scopey son of Nathaniel indicated he is in line for a productive season at a decent level and with similar tactics likely to be the order of the day again, he can make a bold attempt to make all the running.

Not much solid form on offer for this low-grade handicap but PAPA BARNS (best price 9-2) has left the impression a race of this nature is well within his compass and even though his effort at Naas last time out doesn’t appear all that clever at first glance, a closer inspection tells a very different story. 

Noted travelling well turning for home at the Kildare track, Tom Dreaper’s inmate loomed up looking the likeliest winner approaching the last but on a that hugely favoured those who raced wide, his persistent challenge on the slowest part of the course proved his undoing and he ultimately faded to finish just outside the money. 

Clearly better than the bare form indicates from that competitive affair 44 days ago, he had shaped well in a better race than the one he contests here this afternoon and providing the ground stays on the easy side, the seven-year-old is fancied to outrun his morning odds. 

BIRDMAN (NAP) (best price 3-1) created a very favourable impression when making a winning start to his career at Cork a month ago and with the form of the race working out well as the data suggested it would (Highbury and Alonso won since), Jessica Harrington’s gelding can continue his rise through the ranks. 

Not particularly fancied at the Mallow track, which is hard to believe considering what was about to transpire, the imposing son of Free Eagle always looked in total command and the way he quickened from the three to the one pole off the back of strong fractions was the most impressive part of the display. 

How good he could be only time will tell but it’s clear on the evidence of his opening bow he is a horse of some potential and he is in the right hands for that untapped promise to be fulfilled. 

ROCK OF IRELAND (best price 11-4) made a brave attempt to make all the running over today’s C&D last time out and he looks destined to be a big player in this similar race on his return visit. 

Jumping alertly from his outside gate to assume command through the early exchanges, Barry Fitzgerald’s inmate appeared a busted flush once headed at the two-furlong pole, but his great credit he rallied to the cause and fighting back in game fashion, he ended up pushing the strong-finishing Unavoidable all the way to the line. 

Nicely clear of the rest, the time also spoke favourably of his performance in defeat and with the third home, Cruden, going on to pay a handsome complement to the form at Limerick in midweek, confidence is high the son of Rock Of Gibraltar can follow suit by dictating matters from the front.

On paper, a race that should be run at a blistering pace (Kansas City Star, Sacre Coeur, Inedit Star and A Different Kind all like to force the issue) so it should pay to focus on something coming from off the speed and the one who fits the bill more than most is EL BORRACHO (best price 16-1). 

A horse who avoids the depths of winter like the plague, the locally-trained gelding warmed up for a tilt at this prize with a run to blow away the cobwebs on the all-weather at Southwell last time out and with the ground coming in his favour, everything looks set for a bold show.

Moreover, Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s inmate has a fine record over today’s C&D and at the morning prices, he looks well worth a punt.