Sunday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GODWINSON (best price 7-2) has shown a real preference for some give underfoot and with three of his best performances coming under such conditions, William Haggas’ inmate looks set to continue that trend dropping back to his optimum trip. 

Although he didn’t run at all badly at York last time out, he left the impression he didn’t quite see out the extended 1m2f as well as it seemed he might three furlongs from home, and he is best judged on his performance in The Spring Cup over a mile at Newbury on his start outing this season back in April. 

Despite finishing his race of very strongly at the Berkshire venue, the difference between winning and losing all boiled down to the winner being allowed to get first run and providing he can keep tabs with today’s main danger, Midnight Gun, he should have every chance of putting himself in with a winning challenge at the furlong pole.

TIRIAC (best price 5-1) has enjoyed a fruitful campaign and with his latest effort going along way to suggest he remains in decent shape; Jack Channon’s gelding has a good opportunity of going one place better than on his previous visit to today’s track. 

Although only fifth of 9 in the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton 37 days ago, the data surrounding that useful handicap suggested the son of Sixties Icon had run close to a career high and there was nothing wrong with his previous display at Haydock when challenging on the slowest part of the track ultimately cost him victory. 

Winner of two of his three previous races in the spring, both coming with plenty of give underfoot, he now returns to a surface that has allowed him to accumulate a decent cv over the past two seasons and having gone well on his only outing at today’s track, the consistent four-year-old is a must for any shortlist.

EAST INDIA DOCK (NAP) (best price 3-1) produced a devastating performance on his only start on soft ground at Salisbury earlier in the season and arriving here following another solid effort in a top-quality three-year-old handicap, the progressive young stayer can regain the wining thread under similar conditions. 

Only rated 68 at the time, James Fanshawe’s gelding has gone on to prove himself capable of rubbing shoulders alongside useful opponents at class 2 level since, and his fourth behind subsequent Goodwood winner Align The Stars reads well in the context of today’s race.

Based on the clock, his best effort, however, came courtesy of his fine effort behind yesterday’s Melrose fourth, Wild Waves, at Doncaster back in June and considering he went hard all the way to the line that day, there’s every chance he will thrive over today’s extra furlong and a half.