Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the action live on ITV this afternoon.
As expected, this week's racing has been relatively quiet. However, the excitement is expected to ramp up this weekend, leading up to the much-anticipated big race action starting on Tuesday.
Throughout this week, my attention has been solely dedicated to crafting previews and narrowing down my selections for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. So consumed by anticipation for the festival, I nearly forgot about the racing scheduled for this Saturday.
ITV Racing are covering four races live from Sandown and a further two from Wolverhampton this afternoon.
Sandown
It was soft, good to soft in places on the chase course at Sandown on Friday afternoon and soft, heavy in places on the hurdles track. There might be more rain on Saturday but it's likely to arrive after racing. The weather forecast has changed from earlier in the week, which could also impact on Cheltenham. More on that in Monday’s column.
1:50 – European Breeders' Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Handicap) – 2m 4f.
Trainer Paul Nicholls is 3 winners from 12 bets +12.5, 6 placed with his runners in the race in the past 10 years. He saddles Fire Flyer and Emailandy, with Fire Flyer looking the stable's top pick on jockey bookings. He must prove he’s as effective on testing ground but can go well and looks like a future chaser. Other contenders in an open race include Hasthing, Pic Roc, Champagne Twist, Taras Halls, and Dartmoor Pirate. Sue Smith saddled the winner of this race 24 years ago and I can see Taras Halls who probably needs further than 2m 4f going well on the testing ground.
2:25 – Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m.
Not as prestigious a race as it once was, but still draws a field of 16 runners. Key contenders include Jipcot, Bad, Go Dante, Making Headway, Georgi Girl, Sans Bruit, and Faivoir. I looked at the race in Wednesday's column so I don't need to go through it again. For anyone interested Jipcot and Making Headway are the trends qualifier.
Jipcot has solid claims after his easy win at Huntingdon last week as does stablemate Bad who wouldn’t be winning this out of turn and should get the strongly run race he needs. Making Headway looks on a good mark for his handicap debut and is my idea of a possible winner of the race. The money has come in for Sans Bruit and given he’s proven on testing ground in France must be respected.
3:00 – British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race – 2m.
Notable contenders are Honky Tonk Highway, Just Call Me Lucy, Magical Annie, and Sunset Marquesa.
It would be nice to see Just Call Me Lucy win for Yorkshire based trainer Mark Walford. However, it could be significant that Dan Skelton puts Honky Tonk Highway into Listed race on her stable debut.
3:35 – Betfair Serial Winners Fund Novices' Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 2m 4f
Leading contenders are Golden Son, Kotmask, Invincible Nao, Terresita, and Mylesfromwicklow. Golden Son will be tough to beat if he reproduces his recent Kempton win over Heltenham from just 3lb higher. However, the headgear might not work a second time. The Gary Moore pair of Kotmask and Invincible Nao are also leading players for a trainer who has won this race twice since 2017.
Wolverhampton
The first two races on the Wolverhampton card are live on ITV4.
2:40 – BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed Race) – 7f.
Nine Tenths, a previous C&D winner and is a big player with William Buick booked. Doctor Khan Junior 2-2 over C&D comes into the race in great form and looks well worth his place in Listed company. Shouldvebeenaring is clear of his five rivals on official ratings and goes well fresh but I think the value lies elsewhere,
3:15 – BetMGM Lincoln Trial Handicap (Class 2) – 1m ½ f.
Final Voyage, a recent Dundalk winner, Kingdom Come, showing promise after a break, and Smoky Mountain, steadily improving, are solid contenders in an open looking race.
Saturday Selection:
Going for a selection in a bumper looks mad but I’m happy to take a chance with Just Call Me Lucy.
Sandown
3:00 – Just Call Me Lucy
I’ll be back on Monday to look back on Saturday’s action and any late Cheltenham news.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John