Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Andy Holding

SCARLET LADY (best price 6-1) arrives here with all guns blazing following her breakthrough success at Yarmouth last time out and even though today’s test represents a significantly tougher assignment compared to the one she faced 10 days ago; Charlie McBride’s filly may prove equal to the task. 

Readily taking advantage of a drop down to class 6 company at the seaside venue, the daughter of Twilight Son had previously proved she could mix it against better quality opposition at Lingfield and York and with her data from those races strongly hinting she was way better than her current assessment, she looks set to back up that view jumping back into class 4 level. 

The second of many good-looking handicaps in the latest version of the racing league and GRAND KARAT (best price 7-2) and ZIP (best price 20-1), for different reasons, are the two that create the most interest. 

The former is easily the most progressive and unexposed of tonight’s field and it would come as no surprise if he were to prove a cut above his rivals. Having his first outing since being gelded over tonight’s C&D, Harry Charlton’s inmate travelled like he was always going to justify heavy pre-race market support and his dominance at the finish was there for all to see. 

Moreover, his speed was very respectable for the grade and with the strong possibility of more to come, the son of Gleneagles has more to offer than his current rating suggests. 

The latter has no fewer than 63 races more under his belt than his main market rival but with that experience come plenty of knowledge of tonight’s track. Since first stepping foot on the Midland surface back in 2018, the eight-year-old has garnered form figure over the C&D of 236135 and with the latest of those performances coming courtesy of a very good speed figure behind Doctor Khan Junior back in January, a repeat of something similar should enable him to outrun his odds. 

GRENHAM BAY (best price 15-2) has been placed in all three starts over today’s course and following two promising efforts since returning to the fray this summer, there’s every chance Andrew Balding’s inmate will add to those useful stats in some capacity. 

Runner up on his first start here over seven furlongs, the four-year-old raised the bar in terms of his speed figures when filling out the same position when down in trip on his latest visit back in March and hailing from a stable who are currently enjoying a useful run of form in the last two weeks, he rates a solid-looking each-way proposition at the morning odds. 

John and Sean Quinn enjoyed a memorable Ebor meeting with both of their two representatives capturing the spoils and TROPEZ POWER (best price 12-1) looks to have stronger claims than the morning odds suggest of maintaining their excellent run of form. 

Not only does he hail from a yard in splendid shape, but his form figures over tonight’s course also read 13141 and with the latest of those performances 124 days ago easily his best on the data, it makes perfect sense to look towards the track specialist over most in the field. 

In the money on his last two outings since fitted with a visor, he left the impression he would have finished a good deal closer at Wolverhampton in a similar race to the one he faces here tonight with a clearer run and now back to his optimum C&D, he looks overpriced in the grand scheme of things. 

NAZRON (best price 9-2) looked a sprinter going places fast judged on his facile success at Windsor last time out and he remain one to keep on side despite the handicapper doing his best to derail Roger Varian’s inmate. 

Heading into what looked a competitive handicap on paper following three placed efforts, the three-year-old grey travelled with a degree of panache from the outset and once given his head approaching the final furlong, he scampered away from his rivals in terrific style, scoring in the manner of a very well-treated horse. 

Not only good on the eye, but the speed figure also vindicated the visual impression, and having exhibited a similar turn of foot on his previous outing on the all-weather, it would come as little surprise if he were to repeat the dose.