Andy Holding has two Thursday horse racing tips from Worcester and Leopardstown.
19:50 Worcester
SHINJI (best price 5-1) might have been a beaten favourite at Newton Abbot last time out but the speed figure suggested Martin Keithley’s gelding had put in a decent shift and a repeat of something similar should see him right in the thick of the action for the third time on the spin.
A comfortable winner from subsequent winner Dog Fox at Southwell previously, it was no surprise to see him a warm order at the west country venue two weeks later and for nine tenths of the journey it looked like he was going to repeat the dose.
However, a late surge by the patiently ridden Parikarma spoilt the party and he ended up having to play second fiddle but even so, his effort in defeat suggests he still remains in good form and he appeals as one of the likelier winners based on that display.
SHINJI – 1-point each-way @ 5-1
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20:30 Leopardstown
DESERT FRIEND (best price 10-1) had been steadily building up to getting back into the winners’ circle prior to backing up that notion at Ballinrobe last time out and now that he’s in the ‘zone’, Denise Foster’s gelding can confirm his wellbeing at rewarding odds.
A big eye catcher behind Mayo For Sam at Navan two starts ago, the eight-year-old was nicely supported in his bid to turn around the form over an extra three furlongs at the Mayo venue and, after travelling well throughout, he eventually came through to nail his old rival on the line after a ding-dong dual from over a furlong out.
For a fairly exposed sort, seven career wins in 40 starts isn’t to be sniffed at and even though he’s yet to race over today’s track, the galloping nature of the Dublin venue should play into his strengths.
