Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DUKE OF LUCKLEY (best price 5-1) ran right up to his best form over today’s C&D last time out and another solid effort looks on the cards from this largely consistent chaser on his return to the Midland venue. 

Setting a decent tempo from the front 36 days ago, the seven-year-old had his rivals at full stretch turning for home and although eventually reeled in by the patiently ridden Bob Bob Ricard, he had the remainder strung out like washing. 

Since that sound performance, the winner has gone on to run well in defeat since against a well-regarded Willie Mullins-trained individual and with the likes of Chess Player and Judge Earl also boosting the form, it’s clear he took part in what was an above-average handicap chase for the time of year. 

Now down in grade and unlikely to be troubled for the early supremacy up front, his overall levels of consistent look set to continue. 

ALL WELL AND GOOD (best price 4-1) only found one too good in the shape of a more battle-hardened opponent on his debut over today’s C&D last month and with the speed figure speaking favourably of his performance, Olly Murphy’s inmate can make no mistake at the second time of asking. 

Dropped right out the back in a race that turned out to be strongly run, the four-year-old was brought with what appeared a well-timed challenge two furlongs from home but despite staying on willingly all the way to the line, he couldn’t quite get the better of Holokea, who had the benefit of seven previous starts in the point-to-point field. 

However, this was still a fine start to his career, and he looks the one to beat based on that display.

MY DREAM WORLD (best price 9-2) has created a favourable impression in victory and defeat so far this season and with today’s stiff examination expected to bring about even further improvement, Ben Brookhouse’s colt is fancied to announce himself on a bigger stage. 

Shaping well on his seasonal bow when chasing the useful prospect Move On In home at Haydock, the son of Postponed was sent off a warm order to go one place better on his return to the same C&D and having been given a confident ride from the rear of the field, he came through strongly to duly land the odds. 

Clocking a smart time at the Merseyside venue, he has been handed an opening mark that could fall well short of true capabilities, and he deserves to be played accordingly on handicap debut. 

EMPIRE OF LIGHT (best price 11-2) just lost out in a ding-dong tussle against a very tenacious rival at Ayr last time out, but it was a performance that suggested he remains on an upward curve, and he warrants more respect than the market affords him over a track that should play into his strengths. 

A keen going sort, Grant Tuer’s inmate was once again unwilling to drop the bridle in the early stages of a competitive handicap at the Scottish venue 10 days ago but even so, he still came to hold every chance approaching two out. Having headed the front running Aviemore, his propensity to expend energy came under scrutiny inside the final furlong and unlike his previous effort at Haydock, this time he just didn’t have the necessary reserves to see off the rallying winner. 

That said, the pair pulled well clear of the rest, suggesting it was still a fair effort, and providing his pilot can get his mount to drop his head in the first half a mile, there’s every chance he will prove competitive at the business end of a race that doesn’t appear to contain too many superstars.

As are all the Racing League races here tonight, another viciously competitive affair in its structure, but as MYTHICAL GUEST (best price 15-2) is the only C&D winner in the field, he may be able to put that sound knowledge to good use and walk away with the prize for Team East. 

A ready winner on his third outing at the seaside venue following a 196-day break back in April, George Margarson’s gelding added to his tally in a much higher grade at Newmarket two starts later and if it wasn’t for the tenacious attitude of the improving Midnight Gun when returning to HQ last time out, he would have further bolstered his portfolio of victories. 

Despite the narrow margin defeat, his tally of strong speed figures was greatly enhanced and now returning to his optimum trip, the in-form four-year-old rates a solid each-way proposition at the morning odds.