Hi all,
We lost Sandown on Friday which is a big shame as the card was a good one for a pre-Cheltenham Festival Saturday. The days big meeting is now at Wolverhampton but in all truth it’s now a low-key day’s racing. That said there are still a few betting opportunities.
Given we are so close to Cheltenham I’m not going in to heavy today as there are going to be plenty of bets over the next seven days.
Wolverhampton
1:35 – Bombardier Golden Beer Lincoln Trial Handicap (Class 2) – 1m ½ f
It’s a Lincoln Trial but don’t expect to see any horse from this race going onto win the first big flat handicap of the new season later this month.
Likely favourite Fox Power is open to more progress and is arguably the quality horse of the race but at the prices I can let the 4-year-old win.
I prefer a couple at bigger odds in Kasbaan & Rathbone. Kasbaan won twice in 2019 and was only beaten ½ length into second by recent Winter Derby winner Dubai Warrior, off 1lb lower, in November. Not at his best on his last two starts but he’s back up in trip today and if he settles he can get into the places. Rathbone has finished runner-up on his two all-weather starts. Last time out he was only beaten just a neck in one of the hottest 7f handicaps seen on the all-weather this winter. Nudged up another 2lb but he’s not had many goes on the all-weather. Of more concern would be the extra 1 ½ f distance of today’s race but if he stays, he’s very much in the mix.
1pt win – Kasbaan – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
1pt win – Rathbone – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
2:10 – A Class 2 handicap which has attracted 9 runners. Last year’s winner Desert Doctor bids for back to back wins. He’s 3lb higher than his last winning mark but his form figures at the track are 11212. Returns from two runs on the dirt in Meydan and if fully acclimatised shouldn’t be far away.
Wasntexpectingthat has been in great form on the all-weather this winter and hasn’t been out of the first two on his five starts. First run here for the 4-year-old but he’s won three times at Newcastle so the surface shouldn’t be a problem and he need’s respecting here.
1pt win – Wasntexpectingthat – 9/2 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
1pt win – Desert Doctor – 11/2 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
Ayr
1:55 – If Sandown hadn’t been abandoned, I probably wouldn’t have been looking at this race. Ardera Cross jumped really well to win at Musselburgh 18-days ago. He’s up 4lb for that success but has a good chance following up. A winner over C&D back in November on soft ground he’s capable of a good run and should give favourite Drumconner Lad a race. There could be plenty of rain before post time which could turn the ground heavy but he’s won three times on the going so that shouldn’t pose a problem. At 10/1 he looks a bit of value too.
1pt win – Ardera Cross – 10/1 @ Bet365
Gowran Park
4:00 – The best jumps race on Saturday is this 2m 2f handicap chase. Diamond Turf has yet to win over fences but he’s only had four starts over the larger obstacles and last time out ran subsequent winner Castle Oliver to a neck at Down Royal. Soft ground suits and he should stay today’s extra distance on his handicap debut. Tikkanen Express was a good 5th of 16 to Drumconnor Lad at Leopardstown over Christmas before going onto to win at Thurles 16-days ago. He’s up 6lb for that win but he’s got a great chance of following up, if this race doesn’t come to quick.
1pt win – Tikkanen Express – 11/2 @ Bet365
It looks like there will be a selection or two on Sunday which will be the final chance to supplement the betting bank before four of the most exciting days in racing.
Cheers
John