Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Daddy Long Legs arrives here on a real upward curve and based on his profile, it would be no surprise if he were to justify his position in the market with a bit to spare but the battle for second will make for interesting viewing and SENECIA (best price 13-2) rates the value to chase the favourite home. 

A shock winner of a competitive handicap at Killarney two starts ago, the form has since been advertised by the third, fourth and fifth and although he fell short in his bid to back up that success at Listowel last time out, it was another splendid effort under the circumstances. 

Although he got beaten fair and square by Minx Tiara on the day, the winner was allowed to get loose on the lead and with the strong possibility that scenario will not be allowed to unfold for a second time, the son of Ask can pick up the pieces late on. 

Quite a few arrive here in decent shape, so the margins are fine, but SPINNING WEB (best price 6-1) has the look of a potentially well handicapped horse and, at a track where he has gone particularly well in the past, Mags Mullins’ gelding can back up that view.

Off the mark at the first time of asking over hurdles over today’s course this time last year, the four-year-old hasn’t run in this discipline since chasing home the above-average pair Wodhooh and Nurburgring in conditions contest at the Listowel festival back in September. Since then, the winner has gone on to land a four timer and listed hurdle in the process and the runner-up went on to finish an honourable fourth in the Triumph Hurdle. 

Based on those subsequent events, the son of Fascinating Rock seems well treated on a mark of 111 and arriving here having had two nice spins on the Flat, including a fine fourth over tonight’s course, he should be cherry ripe to cause some damage over a trip that is likely to suit. 

Of the rest, For Fear Of Frost shaped better than the bare result suggests at Cork last time out and he has the potential to win handicaps off his current mark before embarking on a lucrative chasing career. 

NEW KINGS ROAD (NAP) (best price 11-4) came up a little short in his bid top follow up his previous victory at Pontefract last time out but, as the numbers suggested he’d enhanced his profile in defeat, Richard Hannon’s gelding rates a confident choice to keep moving in the right direction. 

A convincing winner at Salisbury two starts ago, there was plenty of confidence behind his bid to follow up on his trip to Yorkshire a week later but on a stiffer track, he didn’t quite see his race out as well as anticipated after leading inside the final furlong and he ended up having to settle for a minor role. 

That said, his time figure was right up there with his victory at the Wiltshire track and with today’s easier mile likely to suit, the scopey three-year-old is afforded another chance in a race not exactly chocked full of vastly improving types.