Andy Holding picks out three bets for Tuesday's racing at Fairyhouse, Lingfield and Wolverhampton.
TIP 1: QUINTA DO LAGO – 1-point win
Best odds of 15/8 at bet365, William Hill, Betfair Sportsbook, BoyleSports, PricedUp, QuinnBet, Sky Bet and Paddy Power while publishing.
QUINTA DO LAGO shaped as though he would be all the better for his recent run on the flat and he can put that all-important race fitness to good use now back over hurdles.
Quietly fancied to run well in a maiden at Navan 13 days ago, Jessica Harrington’s inmate looked dangerous until hitting the wall approaching the final furlong, but it was worth noting he wasn’t knocked about thereafter.
Better known for his exploits during the winter game as a juvenile last season, his most notable performance was when he landed a useful prize at the Punchestown festival, staying on doggedly in the latter stages to get the better of a decent bunch of older horses that included Begorra Man, Riskaway and Bunting.
His best run on the data, however, came when he was fifth in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival and having already proven himself over today’s course with an excellent effort behind the smart Proactif, he looks the one to be with on all known form.
TIP 2: AWAY FOR THE NIGHT – 1-point win
Best odds of 11/4 at bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral while publishing.
AWAY FOR THE NIGHT almost threw away his chances of winning at Worcester last time out with a bad mistake two out but he is in such rude health at the moment he was able to recover and with the strong possibility of even more to come, Alex Hales’ inmate rates a confident choice to follow up.
The seven-year-old was returning to action after ending last spring on a high and he looked as good as ever based on the metrics he produced at the Midland venue.
Despite the jolting error that handed a big advantage to his main rival, he rallied well to regain the lead close home and in doing so, he posted a very good circuit split to match his useful overall speed figure.
Now 2121 over fences and hailing from a team in fine form, the son of Getaway has the capabilities to keep the ball rolling while still racing at a low level.
TIP 3: BARACHIEL – 2-points win
Best odds of 6/4 at bet365 while publishing.
BARACHIEL took a huge step forward when significantly upped in trip over today’s C&D last week and with connections clearly keen on going again before any adjustments in his rating take place, Robert Stephens’ gelding can finally get off the mark.
The son of Free Eagle shaped well on his previous start at the same track over seven furlongs, keeping on well from the rear of the field to finish a never-nearer sixth and he carried forward that promise a month later in his first handicap, only finding one too good in the shape of the well-backed three-year-old, Fahidi.
Sat just off the solid tempo from the start, the five-year-old looked to have everything in trouble once kicking for home but even though he was eventually caught, his speed figure in defeat was an extremely good one for a horse rated just 62.
Returning to the Dunstall venue likely buoyed by that initial taste of racing in this type of race, he should take plenty of beating if running to the same level.
