Best Of Bets

Tag: sandown

  • Four To Follow – Jumps Finale

    Four To Follow – Jumps Finale

    The finale to the jumps season is here, as permutations may happen over the course of seven races. Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton are neck and neck in the trainers championship with the Irishman sending a battalion over to retain the crown. Who will emerge victorious after a long and enduring jumps season?

    The First Warrior

    2:25 – Oaksey Chase (Grade Two) – Gaelic Warrior @ 5/4 (Betfred)

    If you have a Grade One horse, who’s still full of running at the end of the jumps season, why not utilise him? Gaelic Warrior was a bit hit and miss over the Winter, but when stepping up to three miles he relished every inch of ground to win the Aintree Bowl. This trip may be a little shorter, but that won’t be to any consequence as he seems to get any trip Mullins throws at him. The title by this point will be halfway across the Irish Sea.

    Jumps Fitz

    3:00 – Select Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kitzbuhel @ 6/4 (Betfred)

    Kitzbuhel looked awesome on Irish debut and then followed up in a Grade Three before markedly stepping up in trip and finishing fifth in the Liverpool Hurdle three weeks back. The hood is applied for the first time and stepping back in trip will be more suitable, but will take on a Dan Skelton mare who is more used to these sorts of trip. But Mullins horses can do incredible things when asked.

    Just The Usual

    3:35 – Celebration Chase (Grade One) – Jonbon @ 4/7 (William Hill)

    The mad statistic that will forever follow Jonbon around is that he has won at every track outside of Cheltenham. And Sandown is more than just a happy hunting ground for him after scoring here five times and landing two Celebration Chases. This time he’ll be partnered with Mark Walsh, who is a multiple Grade One winner and a revered name in jockeys in Ireland. Not a bad way to try and go for a hat-trick of Celebration Chases.

    Dancing For Gold

    4:10 – bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Dancing City @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    Willie Mullins has 10 runners in this race. TEN. Half The Field. If that doesn’t tell you that he wants to win the trainers championship again, nothing will. So who has his best chance. Is it Paul Townend on High Class Hero? Rachael Blackmore on Lombron? Klarc Kent going one better than his Scottish National second?

    Dancing City, I believe, is his best chance and the horse that fits the bill out of all the others. He’s a Grade One winner, and makes handicap debut too so will bring a mountain of form into this race. He was last seen falling behind Caldwell Potter and made a bit of a mess to the race to leave the Nicholls’ horse out in front. There’s no doubting he will have been schooled for this jumping test of epic proportions. And if he gets it right, there might not be any stopping him.

    The Brits can’t be discounted too rightly. Handicapper extraordinaire Victorrino makes a first appearance since the Cheltenham Festival, when pulling up in the Ultima Chase. However, he loves going right-handed on a track given his heroics at Ascot in the early part of the season. Surprisingly, this is a first visit to Esher btu will enjoy it’s jumping test and it’s good ground, which is of high importance. 14/1 (Betfred).

    Good old Monbeg Genius has put a decent shift in this season. Second in the mud at Haydock at the start of the season, fourth in the foggiest of Welsh Grand Nationals and blitzing the field in the Midlands Grand National. He pulled up at Aintree and didn’t particularly like to jump the unique fences. Back to normality, he’s down to a nice mark of 145, within the handicap, and will enjoy a marathon trip. 33/1 (General).

    The very best of luck!

  • Five To Follow Dublin Racing Festival Day One

    Five To Follow Dublin Racing Festival Day One

    The road to the Festival starts now. After Cheltenham we have a double helping of trials over in Ireland with the highly prestigious Dublin Racing Festival. Plus Grade One action in the UK comes in the form of the Scilly Isles Novice’s Chase. Jam-packed action on the way.

    Dublin Racing Festival

    Victory Shout

    1:15 – Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade One )– Sounds Victorious @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    This race often throws a slight upset to proceedings, with only four favourites winning in the past 10 years. However, there does seem to be a trend with horses winning over two-and-a-half miles particularly over Christmas and New Year. Sounds Victorious ticked that box when getting off the mark over hurdles at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. He has the pedigree to stay further and often a Mullins second or third pick comes up trumps at this meeting.

    At a price, I like Sommesky. Henry de Bromhead is often the bridesmaid at the Dublin Racing Festival with Willie Mullins taking all the plaudits. But Sommesky can fly under the radar at a big price. He improved stepping up in trip winning at Limerick impressively by 6.5L over Christmas and also has a three-mile pedigree. Worth a place at 20/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports).

    Lady Of The Land

    1:50 – Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade One) – Lady Vega Allen @ 100/30 (Betfred, Boylesports)

    There’s been a lot of chat around Lady Vega Allen, more than stablemate Sainte Lucie. It’s clear that Willie Mullins and the team like her a lot and expect a lot of potential to come from her once she grows further into her racing. Last time over course and distance she was narrowly beaten by a short head to Hello Neighbour. With Mullins the trainer to follow, Lady Vega Allen can go one better and land her first big prize.

    If You’re Young Enough…

    2:55 – Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade One) – Majborough @ 4/6 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports)

    I immediately fell in love with Majborough when he made his debut at this Festival last year and was even more impressed, not just in the Triumph Hurdle but, on chasing debut. Despite Ile Atlantique making big strides over fences including landing the Racing Post Novice Chase and the highest rated in the field, it’s clear that Majborough is an impressive talent as a novice chaser at five-years-old.

    Champion Once More

    3:30 – Irish Gold Cup (Grade One) – Galopin Des Champs @ 4/7 (Unibet)

    He will win. Galopin Des Champs is the most talented chaser this decade. Unbeaten at Leopardstown and an outright champion, the rest won’t lay a glove on him.

    But who will finish in behind, is the real question of the race? I’ve gone with Monty’s Star to place in the top-three. He was beaten by Embasssy Gardens at Tramore, in a slight shock given that Tramore is Henry de Bromhead’s local track but this progressive eight-year-old is consistent. Whilst he may not grab a Grade One the best he can finish is runner-up. He ran a cracker at the Punchestown Festival and was runner-up at Cheltenham too. Arguably with that run behind him he should improve and finish best of the rest at 11/1 (William Hill, Boylesports).

    Sandown

    Baie All The Way

    2:35 – Scilly Isles Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Jango Baie @ 5/6 (General)

    Whilst I have been impressed with Handstands, I don’t consider him to be Grade One material. Whilst Jango Baie, looked like a professional making his debut at Cheltenham. Without Impaire Et Passe in the line-up it becomes a much easier task for the Seven Barrows team and is top rated. Kalif Du Berlais looks for the hat-trick but untried at two-and-a-half miles casts doubt.

    The Very Best of Luck!

  • Four To Follow – Just About On

    Four To Follow – Just About On

    Sandown survives, which means we can get on with a high-class day of action that includes two Grade One’s, and some competitive handicaps. Let’s see who is going to tackle a tricky Esher track well today.

     

    Second No More

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    1:15 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle – Henri The Second @ 4/1 (General)

    Following the Paul Nicholls’ trend this season, Henri The Second should have come on the for run after returning to hurdles here. However, he steps up to three miles for the first time but will shape up like he will need it. He’s a half-brother to chaser Enrilo so should have plenty of energy in the tank as well. He looks the ideal candidate, with a slight drop in the weights.

    Despite the outsider, Up For Parol looks to have a decent each-way chance. He’s been consistent for quite a while and has placed in this company before, when racing in the 2023 Lanzarote Hurdle. Trainer Jamie Snowden is in good form with both winners and places too, so should be round about at the finish. 14/1 (General).

     

    Worth A Touch

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    1:50 – Henry VIII Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Touch Me Not @ 9/2 (William Hill)

    This will be a small but competitive novice’s chase, particularly with two Irish raiders making their way over. L’eau Du Sud and Down Memory Lane look talented themselves but Touch Me Not has the best experience on soft ground and is a Grade Two winner. L’eau Du Sud was the winner of a weaker Grade Two, which may lead to him getting beaten.

     

    On For Jonbon?

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    3:00 – Tingle Creek Chase (Grade One) – Quilixios @ 6/1 (William Hill)

    Considering Jonbon doesn’t have to beat much in Great Britain, he faces a tougher test to retain his Tingle Creek crown. There’s no doubt he won’t finish outside the top two, but in a hot field he can come under pressure.

    Quilixios is a talented chaser, who just happens to be around at the same time as Energumene, Gaelic Warrior, Found A Fifty, etc. And his seven-and-a-half length victory beating odd-on favourite Marine Nationale at Naas, showed he has a good turn of foot too. Sandown should suit, the ground should suit, and his price should be a lot shorter than it is.

     

    Van To Go

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    3:35 – London National Handicap Chase – Mr Vango @ 9/2 (William Hill, BetVictor, Unibet)

    Mr Vango showed an incredible attitude and likeness for the marathon trips. But he could never get into a rhythm in the Scottish Grand National. He should be suited returning from a break today and might be the one to make the best of the worse conditions at Sandown. He still looks well handicapped off the same rating he had for the Scottish Grand National and Nico de Boinville is an attractive booking.

    After his mishap in the Cross-Country Chase, Tommie Beau returns to the track with a more straightforward layout in front of him. Unless he takes the wrong final fence up the homestraight. He’s completely versatile on the ground and has competed in a few local Nationals before so can handle the marathon trip well. Not bad each-way at 10/1 (William Hill).

  • Four To Follow: Two Hot To Trot

    Four To Follow: Two Hot To Trot

    After the Ebor Festival we resume some normaialty. But it’s all about the two-year-olds at Sandown with the Solario Stakes. Plus sprint action from Beverley and big handicap action over in Ireland too. It’s a normal-ish Saturday on Four To Follow

     

    Sandown

    Tam-fantastic

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    2:25 – Atalanta Stakes (Group Three) – Tamfana @ 11/10 (BetVictor)

    Dropping down from three Group One’s to a Group Three seems dramatic. So does stepping down half a furlong. But David Menuisier seems to be taking the right approach with Tamfana. She came close to winning the French Oaks, but maybe the Grand Prix de Paris was a bit too much for her. But don’t worry about her credentials over this trip, as her mare only ran at this mile. Plus, champion jockey-elect Oisin Murphy has been given the leg up. All positive signs for the French filly.

     

    Two Shakespearean

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    3:35 – Solario Stakes (Group Three) – Royal Playwright @ 5/2 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    This two-year-old race has produced some decent individuals in recent years. The likes of Masar, Too Darn Hot and Reach For The Moon come to kind. But Royal Playwright looks a good type. From the same family as Strensall Stakes winner See The Fire, he’s got a reputation with good black type in his pedigree. He won by three lengths on debut, on similar ground that it is at Sandown. The second got to within a neck of the winner at Goodwood, to suggest the form might pay dividends.

     

    Beverley

    Royal Household

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    2:05 – William Hill Beverley Bullet (Listed) – Clarendon House @ 11/2 (William Hill)

    It’s surprising that Clarendon House has had a little drift at time of writing. Even with a penalty he’s still top rated and is dropping form a Group One to Listed level too. His last win over five at the Curragh was in Listed company. He loves firm ground too, but his draw could be a letdown. However, due to the lack of runners in the Beverley Bullet, draw shouldn’t matter that much as he’s drawn in the one next to outside stall. But top rated, and able to go on ground puts him in pole position.

     

    The Curragh

    Genuine Contender

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    4:35 – Irish Cambridgeshire (Premier H’cap) – Genuine Article @ 15/2 (General)

    Irish handicaps can be a tricky minefield to navigate. But luckily one stat is proven. Favourites rarely win. Last year saw the shortest priced winner in 10 years at 8/1, so it makes sense to look elsewhere for a bit of value.

    Genuine Article was last seen finishing second at the Galway Festival, after finishing third the time before. This signalled some attention when it came to this race. Only up three pounds, but a useful claimer takes three pounds off to leave him at the same mark as his last run, which should say he should go close. Good ground will suit him, and form suggests there’s been some preparation for this race.

    Johnny Murtagh always seems to target the big races as a trainer, just like he did as a jockey. Blues Emperor has been, very handily, reduced three pounds by the handicapper. But not only that, he has a five-pound claimer who got a winner five days ago. The son of Gleneagles finished a really narrow second this year and is five pounds lower too. There are signs he’s been campaigned with this race in mind. 14/1 (General).

    But it’s not one. It’s two for Mr JP Murtagh. Shayzaan for the Aga Khan also looks to have had this race in mind after he finished within a neck to Snellen of level weights. Before that he finished third in the big €52k Nasrullah handicap and has risen two pounds in his last two races. Quiet consistency and has preferred jockey Ben Coen on board. Interesting at 14/1 (William Hill).

    The very best of luck!

  • Four To Follow: No Real Surprise

    Four To Follow: No Real Surprise

    We’re on a Group One roll at the moment, with the Irish Derby and Royal Ascot behind us. We now focus on Sandown and the Eclipse, won by greats like Sea The Stars and Golden Horn. Can a certain City Of Troy add his name to the roster, or is there a surprise in store? Find out in this week’s four to follow.

     

    Sandown

    Dreaming Of Winners

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    1:50 – Charge Sprint Stakes (Group Three) – Live In The Dream @ 3/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)

    When you’re rated six pounds better than the rest, you’re expected to perform. And Live In The Dream is bound to do that today. He had an excuse at Haydock last time out after stumbling out of the stalls and was closing in on Kerdos in the Temple Stakes. Eyes may be on a retaining the Nunthorpe and this is a decent warm-up, particularly with a good outside draw.

    To finish in behind, Purosangue is back to a level he can perform at. He’s coming back from a poor showing, but out of his depth, in the Group One King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and to a level he can perform at. Good to Firm ground won’t suit him, so the added moisture in the ground is a plus with an outside draw too. 12/1 (General).

     

    No Wooden Surprise

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    3:35 – Eclipse Stakes (GROUP ONE) – City Of Troy @ 4/11 (William Hill)

    If you think that either Dancing Gemini or Ghostwriter can surprise the Derby winner, you’re wrong. This has to be one of the weakest renewals of a prestigious Group One, you’d expect City Of Troy to win on the bridle. With the International Stakes and a possible Breeders’ Cup challenge in sight, there’s more challenging races to come.

     

    Haydock

    Sir Mark’s Superstar

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    2:40 – Lancashire Oaks (Group Two) – Tiffany @ 9/4 (William Hill, Boylesports)

    Tiffany is rightly favourite for this race, after her dominant win in last week’s Hopping’s Fillies Stakes. Going down the classic Sir Mark Prescott route, she was a handicapper last year before dominantly winning two Listed contests, then last week at Newcastle. Only three years ago Prescott won this race with Alpinista, and Tiffany aims to sparkle in her footsteps.

    Forest Fairy also deserves a shout in her first race back after the Oaks. She never ran a bad race at Lingfield, but just didn’t suit Epsom. On a flatter track, with plenty of allowances on her back, Forest Fairy may be able to conjure something up at 17/2 (William Hill, BetVictor).

     

    Chilly In July?

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    3:15 – Old Newton Cup Handicap – Chillingham @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    This is always a very competitive handicap at this time of year. Chillingham is the pick for me in this year’s contest. He ran well last time out at York, despite the big margin between him and the top two. However, he’s still on a respectable mark, ground conditions will no doubt favour him and he can make haste from a wide draw over a mile-and-a-half.

    Maghlaak is an incredibly well-bred horse and shouldn’t have been the plan to go handicapping at first. However, this half brother to Mutanasseq has been well-raced and won earlier on this season before a poor showing at Redcar. But he now has first time blinkers on and hopefully Saffie Osborne can be quick out of the gates to get some cover. Low in the handicap and a little overlooked at 12/1 (General).

    Flash Bardot also won earlier on this season, and is back down to a respectable weight, two pounds above his last winning mark with a claimer on board. He’s been denied some clear runs in his next couple of starts and maybe a low weight in a big field handicap, plus a wide draw will help his chances. Long shot surprise at 25/1 (BetVictor).

    The very best of luck!

  • Sandown Chester, and York Tips | Stand and Guard

    Sandown Chester, and York Tips | Stand and Guard

    Today is the final Saturday to try and build up the bank ahead of Royal Ascot as Sandown, Chester, and York take centre stage.

    Last week, both bets failed to hit the frame, but I’m not losing hope on Jumby as his passage through the John Of Gaunt Stakes wasn’t an easy one, and by the time he had a chance to extend, his chance at winning the race had disappeared.

    He’s entered in a few handicaps at Royal Ascot, so if connections angle him to the royal meeting, he looks like one to keep onside.

    As for this weekend, a few horses have caught my attention, so let’s dive in.

     

    2:40 Sandown – Flora Of Bermuda @ 11/2 with BetVictor – 1pt Win

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    Having backed Flora Of Bermuda to win the Group 2 Temple Stakes last-time-out, her antics at the stalls saw that betting slip go up in smoke almost immediately.

    However, I’m not losing any hope in her ability as she was a classy juvenile.

    To begin with, she finished sixth in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, though the first five came from the stands’ side and she was positioned on the far side.

    After that, she posted a cracking time at Glorious Goodwood when bolting up by four lengths in a fillies’ conditions stakes and two starts later, she finished second to Big Evs in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes.

    Admittedly, most of her form is on soft ground, but the sprinkling of rain that Sandown has received today should take the sting out of the ground. Her dam, Dubai Power, also won on good to firm ground.

    With race fitness on her side, she gets three pounds from the favourite Adaay In Devon, so she should run well here.

     

    3:20 Chester – Witness Stand @ 15/2 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

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    Sticking with horses that I’ve previously backed, Witness Stand can build on his recent Chester effort over the same course and distance in the valuable Roodee Handicap.

    The three-year-old by Expert Eye was second to the extremely well-backed Never So Brave from a bad stall last-time-out and he has an equally bad draw in 12 to negotiate today.

    However, the current forecasted rain for this afternoon will help his chance and his form in the book looks rock solid.

    Two starts ago, he finished a fair fifth Notable Speech (2000 Guineas winner), a race that has worked out well as the third (Persica) won the Lester Piggott Handicap at Epsom two weeks ago.

    Before that, he was second to Orne (a subsequent Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes runner-up) at Newmarket and as a two-year-old, he finished sixth in a hot renewal of the Group 2 Vintage Stakes.

    With an unchanged mark of 97, he can go well here.

     

    3:35 York – Imperial Guard @ 12/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 1pt EW

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    In one of the more valuable handicaps today, Imperial Guard looks like an interesting contender who has scope to improve on his current rating of 84.

    The three-year-old Night Of Thunder colt is Andrew Balding’s only runner at York today, so connections are hoping the 442-mile round trip provides some success.

    Purchased for 270,000gns as a yearling, he made a good impression on his only two starts as a juvenile as he was third to Orne debut before finishing second to Zoum Zoum (a subsequent Listed Prix Herod winner) one start later.

    On his first start of this season, he quickened up nicely at Kempton to beat Sky Wizard (a horse with solid form alongside Equity Law and Fast Responder) over six furlongs before slightly disappointing next-time-out.

    Most recently, he had to come through horses at Ascot on his turf debut, but he travelled strongly and didn’t have the easiest route through the field.

    He’s likely to build on that effort and the good to soft going description should cause no issues as his full brother (Electric Storm) won this year’s Listed Cecil Frail on soft ground and his dam (Ancestral) put in her best effort on heavy ground.

    With solid form in the book and a nice pedigree (from the family of the Group 1 winner Quiff), 12/1 looks like a fair price for Imperial Guard.

     

    4:45 York – Orbaan @ 16/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 1pt EW

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    Yes, I’m trusting a bit of a cliff horse in the penultimate race of the day from York as Orbaan has dropped to an attractive handicap mark.

    Admittedly, I backed him in his last race at Epsom hoping he’d return to his best form, but the quality of a Class 2 handicap and running on the outside of the field didn’t suit him too well.

    As such, the handicapper has dropped him to a mark of 83, a remarkable rating considering he had a rating of 100 at the start of last season.

    Having won on good to soft at York before (in July 2020), the ground shouldn’t cause any issues and this drop into Class 4 company (with the benefit of a few runs under his belt) can see him return to the winners’ enclosure.

  • Four To Follow: North And South

    Four To Follow: North And South

    In the build up to Royal Ascot next week, we begin to build our pot with meetings at both York and Sandown. Up North, we focus on the big sprints that York is so famous for. It’s the same down South as Sandown hosts the Scurry Stakes. Some nice value to sort out on today’s Four To Follow.

     

    York

    Sittin’ On The Dock

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    3:00 – Race To The Ebor Grand Cup (Listed) – Salt Bay @ 6/1 (General)

    Despite not winning a race since debut, Salt Bay is due a win. He came close at the start of the season as he only finished a neck down to Hamish in April. Hamish then finished an admirable second in the Coronation Cup. Salt Bay has deserved to step up in trip and may unlock the key to his success.

     

    A Town Up North

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    3:35 – Macmillan Sprint Handicap – Pocklington @ 13/2 (William Hill)

    Located in 15 miles from York racecourse and trained up North in Malton, it may be written in the stars for Pocklington. The ground is acting on the easy side, which means the winner will be drawn from middle to high. Pocklington sits slap bang in the middle, and is on the pace of Media Shooter in the stall next door. A three-year-old destined for C&D trips in the future.

    When it comes to Yorkshire sprinters, Tim Easterby is king. Vince L’Amour is his top hope today, despite being a pound out of the handicap. It shouldn’t make too big a difference as he’s drawn in an area of plenty of pace. Expect him to go forward, and keep going as he should act on the soft side of good. 16/1 (William Hill).

    Twilight Romance should be one who’s prominent early on. Although he has shown indication he acts on firm ground, which may be a negative today with the ground on the softer side of good. But he’s drawn next to pace and acted well on the all-weather and should have matured to act on this type of ground into three. 18/1 (General).

     

    Sandown

    It’s Magic You Know

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    2:05 – talkSPORT Handicap – Dancing Magic @ 11/2 (Betfred, Boylesports)

    Last year Dancing Magic was a group horse and has come down enough to perform at is level. He should act well with the ground and the booking of Oisin Murphy is worth looking at. He looks like he can’t manage big field handicaps, so this might be his cup of tea after tumbling down his marks enough.

    Terwada has come back to a mark of 90, which was his first winning mark as a three-year-old last season at Newmarket. He’s drawn next to some pace in the field and clearly loves going at the mile distance. Both Ed Walker and Tom Marquand are in good form too, so Terwada is worth a punt each-way. 11/1 (General).

     

    South Of The Equator

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    2:40 – Scurry Stakes (Listed) – Flora Of Bermuda @ 4/1 (William Hill)

    Flora Of Bermuda could earn a nice title of Queen of the South tonight after coming down from a Group Two to Listed level. With Flora Of Bermuda she can either be on it or off it, and at Haydock a couple of weeks ago, she was off it. Now down to a Listed contest, it should suit her better than travelling to Royal Ascot for a sprint race well out of her depth.

    The very best of luck!

     

  • Four To Follow: Final Fling

    Four To Follow: Final Fling

    It’s the final day of the jumps season and what a season it has been. We’ve seen plenty awesome performances, storylines and shocks and it all ends today. History can be created with Willie Mullins top of the UK trainers championship, whilst Harry Cobden managed to wrap up the jockeys championship yesterday. But we focus on the big races at Sandown for today’s four to follow.

     

    We’re All Playing It

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    2:25 – Oaksey Chase (Grade Two) – Easy Game @ 9/2 (BetVictor, Boylesports)

    This is an incredibly tricky race. The Real Whacker has had a bad season and hasn’t looked himself; Hitman has only won three times in his career and the rest look a little out of depth. Only Easy Game takes the eye for me.

    He loves good ground, and he seems to go better right-handed in Ireland, which will suit him at Sandown. He was disappointing at Sandown, always behind the pace and never responding. With better ground and a better suited track, Easy Game can make a big impression.

     

    Final Celebration

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    3:00 – Celebration Chase (GRADE ONE) – Jonbon @ 2/1 (General)

    You can pick holes in both the favourites, but El Fabiolo wasn’t at his best at all at Cheltenham and his jumping has never been the best either. Jonbon comes in off a win over further at Aintree and defending his title in the final Grade One of the season and the market seems to favour the former. With the course experience, Jonbon should be able to find more, jumping-wise, against El Fabiolo.

     

    Long Time, No See

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    3:35 – bet365 Gold Cup (Premier Handicap Chase) – Le Milos @ 10/1 (William Hill)

    The last time we saw Le Milos over fences was in the 2023 Grand National. The 2022 Coral Gold Cup winner hasn’t seen a fence this season, but it’s not like he was bad at jumping over the bigger obstacles. This seems another master plot job by the Skelton boys for the final big handicap of the season.

    He’s been dropped three pounds over fences, which only puts him three pounds above his Coral Gold Cup winning mark. He won that race on good ground so will love the conditions. And he’s one for one at Sandown after winning a novice hurdle here back in 2019.

    Annual Invictus, along with every horse in the Kim Muir, was struggling when Inothewayurthinkin turned on the taps. He could’ve finished a little higher in the field had it not been for a bad hamper at the fifth last. But with the first horse backing up the form and the second horse, Git Maker, finishing third in the Scottish National, 16/1 (General) doesn’t seem a bad each-way bet.

    Sam Brown, despite being one of the elders of the field, is four pounds well-in the handicap. He ran a cracker of a race at Aintree and hasn’t done much wrong in the latter stage of this season. He remains on the same mark and can run a race at a big price on ground he likes. 22/1 (General).

     

    This Time, You Shall Not Passe

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    Select Hurdle (Grade Two) – Impaire Et Passe @ 5/4 (William Hill)

    Two of the first three of THAT Aintree Hurdle reoppose here. There were arguments galore about who should’ve won the race, but ultimately it went to Impaire Et Passe. This middle-distance trip seems to suit him, and they’re not many of these level weight races around so be sure when he turns up. Langer Dan ran really well last time out, but that might have taken too much out of him.

    The very best of luck!

  • Sandown Jumps Finale Day | Whacker a Real class Act

    Sandown Jumps Finale Day | Whacker a Real class Act

    Well, the British jumps season proper is going into hibernation very soon which means it’s time for the annual Sandown Jumps Finale Day.

    Most years, this card is a cracker, but this season in particular promises to be well-above average thanks to Willie Mullins’ multiple-pronged attack.

    El Fabiolo, Nick Rockett, and Impaire Et Passe certainly add plenty of intrigue, but here are my plays for Sandown’s Saturday card.

     

    1:50 Sandown – Court In The Act @ 11/1 with William Hill – 1pt EW

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    The opener – as expected with a novices’ handicap hurdle finale worth £100,000 – is a proper race with 20 runners and nearly 20 different cases, but Court In The Act can take this off a lenient mark of 119.

    A few horses in here, notably Secret Squirrel and Fiercely Proud, have form that ties in with Lump Sum and Jeriko Du Reponet in one way or another but they are weighted accordingly.

    As for Court In The Act, he won a hot maiden hurdle at Kempton on good ground on Boxing Day when beating Onethreefivenotout (second to Lump Sum on undesirable heavy ground at Wincanton in November), Moon Chime, and Sea Invasion (third to Jeriko Du Reponet at Newbury on his previous start).

    Collateral form is a dangerous game to play, but when that much stacks in in one horse’s favour, it’s hard to ignore.

    Furthermore, Moon Chime was third in a hot Listed Cheltenham bumper (won by Brechin Castle) on his previous start, a race that has seen Fire Flyer come out of and beat Secret Squirrel at Taunton.

    Harry Derham is operating at a 32% strike rate currently, so as long as tomorrow morning’s rain doesn’t affect the ground too much, Court In The Act has a great chance to land the opener.

     

    2:25 Sandown – The Real Whacker @ 5/2 with BetVictor – 1pt Win

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    Ah, The Real Whacker, my old friend.

    Having backed him to win the Gold Cup one too many times than I’d like to admit, he’s back into calmer waters on Saturday in what is a winnable race.

    Although he pulled up in the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup, he was running well from the front for a while, but the quality of the race mixed with the soft ground saw his effort thwarted coming down the hill.

    Prior to that, he ran a good race in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase, a race in which Ahoy Senor has come out to frank the form. Furthermore, although he pulled up at both Cheltenham and Ayr, finishing ahead of Stay Away Fay is a good marker in my book.

    2m6f on better ground is something that I think will suit him whereas Hitman has had issues on good ground in the past (beaten by Zanza in last year’s Grade 2 Denman Chase) and there’s a possibility that The Real Whacker could get a freebie from the front.

     

    3:00 Sandown – Jonbon @ 2/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win

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    El Fabiolo against Jonbon is a clash to savour, especially due to the fact it’s at a track away from Cheltenham, but there’s a lot going for the latter in order to make me back him.

    His course record is golden having won on all three of his starts, and his form is top class.

    He beat subsequent Champion Chase winner Captain Guinness in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase last year and it’s hard to ignore his duo of successes over Edwardstone who then bolted up in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February.

    It’s feasible to think that Jonbon can force a mistake or two from El Fabiolo, and when you look deeply into El Fabiolo’s form, beating Fil Dor by nearly five lengths in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase can be questioned.

    So, it’s bold, but Jonbon is the side of the fence that I am on.

     

    3:35 Sandown – Le Milos @ 10/1 with SkyBet & Weveallbeencaught @ 14/1 with SkyBet – 0.5pts EW

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    As stated on the Only Fools Love Horses YouTube channel earlier this week, two make the most appeal in the Bet365 Gold Cup.

    The first is Le Milos who has been trained for this race by Dan Skelton, one of the sharpest operators when it comes to these big handicaps this season.

    He won the Coral Gold Cup on good ground off a mark of 146 in 2022 and he is just three pounds higher than that winning mark.

    Furthermore, the runner-up, Remastered, bolted up at Kempton on his next start while Corach Rambler and Annsam went on to better things, one more so than the other.

    As for Weveallbeencaught, his best form comes on better ground having finished third to Flooring Porter and stablemate Broadway Boy, two horses who need no introduction when it comes to their class, at Cheltenham in October.

    As a novice hurdler, he finished third to Hermes Allen in a Grade 2 novice hurdle on his first start over obstacles on good ground, so a mark of 132 could look silly by the end of Saturday.

     

    5:20 Sandown – Mahons Glory @ 14/1 with William Hill – 1pt EW

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    Patrick Neville has two horses running at Sandown on Saturday and I fancy both to hit the frame, though Mahons Glory is the biggest-priced contender of the pair.

    Like the opener, the last race is a corker, but the profile of Neville’s eight-year-old appeals to me despite his mark of 136 which wouldn’t make him the best-handicapped horse in the race.

    The Fame And Glory gelding had a plan earlier this season of running in a Graded race on his first start for a long time and then winning a handicap, as shown by his win at Kempton on Boxing Day.

    After 107 days away from the track, he bucked out like a rocket in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle two weeks ago and faded badly, much like he did in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle in December.

    However, after his Kempton handicap success, Neville explained that “the last day just knocked some of the gas out of him”, so one can hope Aintree has done the same.

    If this is the case, I don’t think a mark of 136 has got to the bottom of his potential, and you don’t have to go too far back to see his Aintree maiden hurdle victory over the likes of Heezer Geezer (who was subsequently second to Stay Away Fay off level weights), Mexico, Ginny’s Destiny, and Young Buster.

  • Celebration Chase promises epic Sandown Jumps finale

    Celebration Chase promises epic Sandown Jumps finale

    Sandown is poised for an epic season climax as Jumps finale takes place on Saturday.

    With the Punchestown Festival to come in mere days, first, the weekend brings together the best at home and across the Irish Sea.

    Kitty’s Light looks to defend the crown in the bet365 Gold Cup, but beforehand, the Celebration Chase is set to send pulses racing.

    With El Fabiolo and Jonbon on show, who will tee up a potential double in the coming days?

     

    Fitting finale

    The culmination of National Hunt season has, perhaps, left the best for last.

    With Cheltenham and Aintree now in the books, Punchestown and Sandown are left to grab the limelight.

    Next Tuesday’s William Hill Champion Chase is being billed as what could be one of the all-time great Grade 1 clashes.

    Certainly on paper, it is hard to argue that point.

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    So much so, that many entries have opted to swerve this race, including Queen Mother Champion Chase victor, Captain Guinness.

    However, the field is no less stellar this weekend in Surrey, with one of jump racing’s biggest rivalries renewed.

     

    Hors d’oeuvre

    For El Fabiolo and Jonbon, having waited a entire calendar year to face off again, the duo are set to lock horns twice more in just four days.

    Both will be looking to remedy their previous meeting at Cheltenham.

    In the case of El Fabiolo, Willie Mullins’ 7yo tasted defeat for the first time since the 2022 Topham Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

    HIs conqueror on that day, Jonbon was a victim of the malaise that plagued Nicky Henderson’s yard at Cheltenham.

    Yet, after victory in the Melling Chase, Jonbon is buoyed.

    Ahead of race day however, El Fabiolo is a strong 8/11 favourite with BetVictor.

     

    Edwardstone, Editeur outsiders

    Away from the top two in the market, the hopes of the other five runners cannot be overlooked.

    Particularly, the rather fallen figure – quite literally – of Edwardstone.

    Despite tumbling late on in the Champion Chase, the 10yo had one of his best spins for a while and but for his fall may have pushed on.

    Having won on heavy ground at Newbury in February, Alan King’s gelding has travelled best on soft or good to soft ground.

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    After a chilly but largely dry week, the rain is expected to arrive on Saturday morning.

    That could be music to Edwardstone’s ears.

    Indeed, statistically, if we examine his five-race winning streak during the 2021-22 season, the going was either soft or GS.

    The form is not there, but Edwardstone may yet be in the mood for a lively season swansong.

    Meanwhile, Editeur Du Gite has struggled with the weights this season.

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    However, a fourth-placed finisher in this contest last year, the Preston Family-owned runner will be keen for rain to stay away.

    The other three runners are Elixir Du Nutz, Boothill and Nube Negra.

    The latter and former represent big price plays, with Elixir Du Nutz a sensational victor of the Clarence House Chase in January, proving too strong for Jonbon.

    Could history repeat at Sandown? A 22/1 shot that day, his price is more than double at 50/1 with William Hill.

    Finally, Nube Negra has gone winless in over 18 months, but is once again amongst familiar faces this weekend.

    As the battle for trainers’ title comes to a head, against rival Mullins, could Dan Skelton’s gelding figure?

     

    The bet365 Celebration Chase takes place during Jumps finale Day at Sandown this Saturday, race time 15:00 BST.