Friday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

CHANTILLY (best price 4-1) ended up being a refugee in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot but that slightly below par effort could have been a combination of track position and the trip just finding him out on the day and, better judged on his previous display in the London Gold Cup a month earlier, he has bright prospects of putting matters right. 

One of the main fancies at the Berkshire venue, Aidan O’Brien’s inmate got shuffled back through the pack from an early stage and although he made a brave attempt to rectify the damage in the final half a mile, his stamina just betrayed him inside the final furlong.

That said, even getting beaten four lengths in one of the hottest three-year-old handicaps run so far this season still registers as a decent performance in the context of today’s race and if concentrating solely on his run at Newbury the time before, a repeat of the three-length third behind the potentially top-class King’s Gambit makes him a massive player off a similar mark. 

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The slight tweak in headgear and step up in trip for Fairbanks might elicit a bit extra in this 1m6f handicap and he looks one the more plausible winners but he has yet to race over today’s C&D whereas BAGUE D’OR (best price 5-1) can call upon an unblemished record on the July course and for that reason, James Ferguson’s gelding receives the vote. 

The pair met at Royal Ascot last month and on that occasion, Fairbanks came out on top, but the bare result doesn’t tell the whole story and there’s every chance his old rival can turn around the form. 

Dropped out early on account of his wide draw (stall 19 of 19), Bague D’Or still found himself in last place as he turned for home and although he only managed to pass seven of his 19 opponents inside the final three furlongs, his sectionals suggested he did particularly well under the circumstances. Clocking 36.9 compared to Fairbanks’ 37.7 during that period, his effort deserves to be marked up and with his victory over today’s C&D two years ago backing up his previous success over the same course (1m4f), the lightly-raced six-year-old makes a fair amount of appeal on his return to his happy hunting ground. 

EBT’S GUARD (best price 5-1) had to be considered a shade unfortunate to get dive bombed by the fast-finishing Charming Whisper at Yarmouth last time out but on the evidence of that useful effort, it’s clear he remains in rude health and he looks set to continue the good work over a track that should suit. 

Held up towards the rear at the seaside track, William Muir & Chris Grassick’s inmate made smooth headway to hit the front just over a furlong but despite staying on strongly all the way to the line, he found himself coming out second best in a driving finish. 

As the time figure was good and the front pair pulled well clear of the rest, the form looks strong and with a run style that often gets rewarded over this stiff mile, the consistent colt can swoop to conquer late in the piece. 

Dermot McGloughlin landed this prize with Freewheelin Dylan before he went on to capture the Irish Grand National several years ago and while it would be a brave man to suggest MOUSEY BROWN (best price 9-2) will end up at Fairyhouse next April, there’s a strong possibility she can complete one half of the bargain at the very least.

Other than one poor run at Punchestown over hurdles three starts ago, she has been in a rich vein of form for the thick end of four months and on the evidence of her last two victories, she shows no sign of taking her foot off the gas. Winning with loads in hand over tonight’s course a month ago, she duly followed up in equally impressive style at Fairyhouse a week later and she has had this race as her target every since. 

Winner of the ultra-competitive EBF Final at Fairyhouse back in April over three miles, the fact she has shown sufficient speed to win twice over shorter since is testimony to her ability and with the potential of further improvement to come on just her sixth start over fences, the daughter of Califet can put more silverware on her mantlepiece.