Friday's Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

CERULEAN BAY (best price 9-2) hasn’t quite had the rub of the green on each of his last three starts and he is worth another chance to vindicate the view he remains a well handicapped horse. 

His tale of woe began in earnest when he failed to get out of the pocket in time at Haydock back in early May and on his return to the Merseyside venue two weeks later, he saw less room than being in a single bed with Jemma Collins. 

Clearly suckers for punishment, connections went for round three over the same C&D 20 days ago and unbelievably, lightening struck for the third time in succession, David O’Meara’s inmate receiving no run until it was all too late. 

Despite all the shenanigans that have fallen his way so far this season, he has still managed to run some useful speed figures in defeat and now on a track that should allow him a bit more freedom to express himself, the three-year-old can finally gain the rub of the green he deserves. 

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AVIEWTOSEA (best price 9-1) came from a different post code to finish a never-nearer fourth in quite a good race for the grade at Warwick last time out and with that first run for 162 days expected to bring about a reasonable amount of improvement, the nine-year-old can go a long way to further enhance his excellent record over today’s track. 

Pulled up on unsuitable winter ground on his two previous starts, the nine-year-old returned to a more favourable surface at the Midland venue a month ago and the way he stayed inside the final half a mile offers up plenty of hope for his next assignment here tonight. 

So far, the runner-up and fifth have both good on to advertise the form/speed figure and with an unbeaten record of 2-2 at tonight’s Welsh venue, the son of Where Or When has stronger claims than his morning odds imply. 

Quite a few intriguing runners in this concluding apprentice Derby, none more so than the handful of potentially well handicapped three-year-olds down the foot of the weights, but there is also some decent representation from the older brigade and of them, ZARIYGANN (best price 10-1) makes the most appeal. 

Promising in two useful maidens on just two starts last season, it’s clear the son of Sea The Moon has been a bit of a slow burner, but he showed in his latest outing at Sligo, there is the potential of more to come. 

Although he didn’t affect the result at the Cleveragh Road track, the way he stayed on off the home bend was extremely encouraging and it’s worth pointing out his final three furlong split of 38.1 was 1.8 seconds faster than Alonso, who is one of the leading fancied to land this prize here tonight. 

Likely to be suited by tonight’s extra trip, galloping track and excellent services of one of the most experienced riders in the field, Scott McCullough, the lightly raced four-year-old can start making up for lost time.