
Andy Holding has three tips covering Tuesday's horse racing action.
13:30 Ayr
Nick Alexander enjoyed a fine day here yesterday with two notable winners (the other three all ran well) and MY KIWI GIRL (NAP) (best price 7-4) looks set to continue the theme for the in-form Kinross handler in this mares’ maiden hurdle.
Although yet to win in two starts, she has been rather thrown to the lions each time and her latest venture in listed company at Haydock, albeit a bridge too far, wasn’t a bad one in the context of today’s race.
However, her strongest speed figure came over today’s C&D on her hurdling debut when a respectable fourth to the useful Saracen Beau and with the second, third and fifth all going on to boost the form since, there will have to be an air of disappointment in the camp if this big, raw chasing type fails to follow suit back at this sort of level.
15:25 Leicester
SNAPIUS (best price 6-1) appeared to beat one of today’s main rivals, Trust House, fair and square at Lingfield last time out and despite the betting favouring Olly Murphy’s gelding in their return clash, the former should in no way be underestimated.
There are several reasons for sticking with the son of Burantino, the first derives from the fact he was forced to race around the inside on the slowest part of the track at the Surrey venue and secondly, he already has the advantage of racing over today’s track, where the favourite doesn’t.
Not quite staying the 2m4f journey on his first visit to the Midland venue back in November, the six-year-old was seen to better effect next time when chasing home the improving Hara Kiri over today’s C&D and with the speed figure of that race highlighted by himself and Double Click since, a repeat of the same level of form should see him right in the thick of the action once again.
15:15 Down Royal
RIGHTFOLKSPLEASE (best price 3-1) should find today’s likely slower tempo a breeze compared to the helter-skelter pace he was involved in at Naas last time out and he rates a strong choice to back up that view in a race lacking any great strength in depth.
Papa Barns ensured the gallop was extremely hot right from the start at the Kildare venue and by the time the end credits were rolling up on the screen, he was one of only three of the 18-strong field left counting.
Although beaten 16 lengths by the winner, Hillsdale, he still posted a smart speed figure for the grade and with the rest strung out like washing in behind, his performance deserves plenty of credit.
To hammer home the point, the 13th home, Whateys Quest (beaten 69 lengths), went on to boost next time, not to mention the winner at Clonmel last week, and with today’s extra half a mile
likely to play more into his strengths (winner over 2m2f over hurdles), Paul Flynn’s inmate should go close to career victory number two with a clear round.