Friday's Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DESERT HAVEN (NAP) (best price 7-4) did manage to cling on for a valiant second over a mile at Naas last time despite finishing on his hands and knees but now heading back in the direction of a more suitable trip, Noel Meade’s inmate looks to have fine prospects of adding to his previous C&D victory. 

Chasing a very strong pace set by Spanish Tenor at the Kildare venue, the four-year-old was one of several who stood in line to claim the prize once the front runner folded a furlong out, but he didn’t quite match the finishing kick of eventual winner Plume Noire and he ended up having to settle for a minor role. 

Although his effort came out as career high on the figures, he left the impression he would be best served dropping back down to seven furlongs and having impressed with the way he disposed of his field over that trip at Leopardstown previously, it makes perfect sense to stay loyal to the son of Oasis Dream over a track where he shone at a similar period last year. 

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CHERRY COLA (best price 5-1) finished an honourable third in the final of this series last season and with form figures over the same course that read 24213, everything points towards Sheena West’s mare going well again at her beloved venue. 

Considering that performance was at Class 2 level, she will hopefully find tonight’s assignment a good deal more suitable (Class 5) and following two recent runs under both codes just to sharpen up her game, the popular eight-year-old should go close to giving the locals another encore. 

WINTER LIFE (best price 15/2) can count herself a shade unlucky to cross paths with the potentially useful Sea Regal at Ripon last time out but having been handed a more than workable mark by the assessor subsequently; Charlie Johnston’s filly can make an immediate impact on handicap debut. 

A tall, imposing daughter of Churchill, she has taken a while to find her feet, but there was a lot to like about the way she finished off her race at the Yorkshire venue and it was noticeable that all her late work was achieved without being resorted to a particularly forceful ride. 

The type to keep improving with more racing, she also looks like she will be suited by galloping tracks and with today’s four-furlong run-in providing her ample time to stretch out her impressive long stride, the three-year-old grey is fancied to easily outrun her generous looking morning odds.