Thursday's Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

The race won by Manuelito at Ffos Las last month was noted for its very strong speed figure for the grade and although CHARLIE’S GLANCE (best price 12-1) could never land a discernible at the main players, he did enough to suggest he is worth keeping on side when stepping back up to a more suitable trip – as he does here. 

Off his feet for the entire journey at the Welsh track, he did keep on well in the closing stages to finish at a respectable distance behind the eventual winner and when you considering his final circuit time was way quicker than all the other hurdle winners on the card (2.48.5 compared to nearest 2.50.8 by Long Draw), it puts into context the pace they were going in his two-mile affair. 

Only beaten four lengths by the useful 124-rated Éclair De Beaufeu over 2m4f at Fontwell on his first start since a wind op, he now heads back in the direction of that distance off a much lower mark despite all the indications suggesting he still remains in top shape and, at a track that last saw him finish runner-up to the smart Grey Skies two years ago, Andrew Martin’s charge is expected to easily outrun his morning odds.

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CHEF DE TROUPE (best price 7-1) has a fine win-to-run ratio for a horse of his relatively modest ability and with his latest victory over today’s C&D suggesting that the fire still burns brought, the locally trained gelding can roll back the years for the second time within a fortnight. 

A previous winner at the Midland venue, Tony Forbes’ inmate returned to his old stomping ground fresh off the back of a spin on the all-weather and, having arrived on the scene pulling the proverbial cart two out, he readily shot clear of his toiling rivals to score with plenty in hand. 

Victorious on good ground when last seen over hurdles at Huntingdon back in October 2022, he is just as effective on a quicker terrain than what he encountered here 11 days ago and with the time figure he posted suggesting he remains as good as ever, similar hold-up tactics can reap maximum rewards. 

For those of us who fancied KINESIOLOGY (best price 7-2) to land a valuable prize at Gowran on Monday, the irony wasn’t lost when Jessica Harrington went on to score with supposed second strong Fleur De Chine but with the ground cited as the main reason why he didn’t face the starter at the Co Kenny venue, today’s conditions should be ideal for this improving colt to take the step up in grade in his stride. 

Promising as a two-year-old, his runner-up to the smart Chief Little Rock last August now looks even better than it did at the time, and Jessica Harrington’s inmate left the impression he could be a stakes contender further down the line with a victory over two progressive types at Cork recently. 

Despite looking in a spot of bother three out, the Study Of Man colt dug deep to get the better of the useful Psalm in the closing stages and with the third home, Ozark Daze, also providing extra substance to the form, he looks booked to be one of the leading players in this Group 3 prize granted just normal improvement.