Hi all,
There’s some great racing in Britain this weekend at Sandown and Musselburgh and high-class action at the Dublin Racing Festival. Too much to do justice in this column. I’m not going to try to cover all the ITV action here and will thus concentrate on the Sandown races.
Sandown
Looking at the BHA website which is a very useful resource.
The ground at Sandown continues to dry out. Be warned though I think the good to soft ground will be holding in nature. Horses may have won good to soft in the past.
1:25 – Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 4f
Jingko Blue, promising on his second hurdles start, could be on a lenient mark on handicap debut. Onethreefivenotout, progressing steadily, enters handicap company for the first time. Titan Discovery, a recent winner at Ascot, faces potentially improving novices but is going the right way, while Zain Nights, a useful flat stayer, makes his handicap hurdle debut.
2:00 – Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 1m 7 ½ f
In Excelsis Deo and Saint Segal look the ones to concentrate on. The former is on a winnable mark as is Saint Segal who will be suited by the drying ground and if cutting out the mistakes can gain a well-deserved success.
2:35 – Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 4f
Hermes Allen a winner on chase debut, was put in his place when a 11-length 2nd of 6 to Il Est Francais in Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton last time. That remains the best form shown so far by the five entries, and he’s got a favourite chance.
Le Patron won the Grade 1 Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase here (1m 7 ½ f). He’s a previous C&D winner so the return to 2m 4f won’t be an issue for the 6-year-old.
Colonel Harry looked in need of further when runner-up to Le Patron in the Henry VIII. He’s since gone onto win the Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase (2m 3 ½ f) at Wetherby.
Djelo was hampered and fell at the first in a Grade 2 at Lingfield 13 days ago. Prior to that he was 3-3 over fences including a Grade 2 at Ascot. It’s best to forgive his last effort and he’s not of this.
3:10 – Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) – 2m 7 ½ f
Ed Keeper, is unexposed over three miles, and continues to progress. Recent winner Ludlow winner Saint Davy steps up in class but looks capable of further improvement. West Balboa, well suited to soft ground, was a disappointing 3/1 fav for the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot 42 days ago. The mare had been progressive up until last time so if you can forgive last time, she must be respected back into handicap company. Wonderwall had been quietly fancied for the Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton last time but was bought down four out. That was the 8-year-old’s first start for Peter Bowen, and he’s nicely treated on his novice hurdle form from two seasons back.
3:45 – Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m
Blackjack Magic improved to win the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Winconton on his seasonal return and according RPR’s improved again when a 5 ½ length 4th of 10 to Victtorino in Silver Cup at Ascot last time and has a favourites chance.
Dom Of Mary improved for the step up to 3m 4f when winning the Sussex National Handicap Chase at Plumpton last month. I'm not sure he'll be suited by the drop back in distance and is 9lb higher than last time but is going. On the plus side he is going the right way.
Certainly Red has been operating below last season’s best on three starts this season. That means he’s now back down to his last winning mark. Good to soft ground will suit him better than the testing ground at Newbury last time and he won here last season.
Bangers And Cash is just 1lb above his last winning mark but he’s another who might prefer further than 3m.
Fortescue, a previous C&D winner, has won his fair share of races over fences. He's 6 wins from 20 runs +24.5, 11 placed. All six of those wins have come in field sizes 9 or less and at 3m/3m ½ f with a form line of 121121121. You must go back to February 2022 for his last success (Ascot, soft). However, he’s 6lb lower now and he’s an interesting outsider.
Java Point was an encouraging 7 ¼ length 4th of 8 to Inch House at Newbury on his seasonal return/stable debut. He’s not the easiest to win with but is now 4lb below his last winning mark.
Saturday Selection:
Sandown
1:25 – Titan Discovery – 12/1.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John