Hi all,
It’s Coral Eclipse Day at Sandown. The race itself has only attracted four runners but it’s a quality field despite the small number of runners. Not a betting race for me but I hope St Mark’s Basilica can win for the classic generation. ITV are covering the best of the racing from Sandown & Haydock as part of a seven-race programme and its Sandown that I start this shorter than normal Saturday Preview.
Sandown
2:25 – Coral Challenge (Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m
Montatham hasn’t been seen since finishing 1 ¼ length 3rd of 11 in a Listed race at Doncaster on the first day of the flat season. A touch of class and won this race 12 months ago but is 7lb higher this time around. Useful apprentice Adam Farragher takes off a handy 5lb.
Acquitted finished last in this 12 months ago. He’s a very in and out performer but he was on a going day when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 11 at Chelmsford 17-days ago. He’s on a competitive mark if building on his Chelmsford performance.
Magical Morning was having his first start for 9 months and his first since a gelding operation when a promising 9 ½ length 8th of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup. Looks on a workable mark and although he did win up first time up last season. He might have needed the run at Ascot.
Trais Fluors took advantage of lenient handicap mark when winning a C&D handicap two starts ago. The 7-year-old maintained his good form when a 9 ½ length 10th of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last time. He wasn’t the best away at Ascot and didn’t get the best of runs 2 furlongs out. Not subjected to hard race after his jockey realised his chance had gone.
Verdict: Whilst Montatham wouldn’t want the ground too quick. The top weight is very much in the mix with a good 5lb apprentice on board. Magical Morning should be sharper for recent reappearance in the Royal Hunt Cup and the talented but inconsistent Acquitted is on a mark he can win off.
1pt win – Magical Morning – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Montatham – 6/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportbook
Haydock
The Lancashire Oaks (2:40) and the Old Newton Cup Handicap (3:15) are the features race of a seven-race card at the Lancashire track. The first race doesn’t really appeal from a betting perspective but I have a couple of fancies in the Old Newton Cup.
2:05 – bet365 Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Dhushan bids for the hat trick after winning on his handicap debut at Musselburgh last time. A strongly run race will suit the 3-year-old who is open to more improvement for the step up to 1m 6f.
Trainer Mark Johnson has saddled four of the seven winners – 4 winners from 13 runners 30% +0.8 7 placed 54% or 67% of the winners from 27% of the total runners. He’s got three entered at the five-day stage: Harlem Soul, Kondo Isami & Soapy Stevens and the first two look the most interesting.
Harlem Soul won on his handicap debut at Ripon last time. The son of Frankel is 4lb higher than for that success but is open to more improvement stepped up to 1m 6f. Silvestre De Sousa has been booked for the ride and if top weight Law Of The Sea stands his ground he will race off a nice light weight (8-3).
Kondo Isami a 1m 4f winner at York in May. He just got touched off at Doncaster on his first start at 1m 6f. He never got involved in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot. Finishing last of the 17 runners. That surely wasn’t his true running and the yards runners can often bounce back straight away from a poor run.
Reverend Hubert handled soft ground when winning at Salisbury two starts back and was in the process of running well behind Kondo Isami at Doncaster last time. Was holding every chance when not getting a clear run a furlong out that day and could get into the frame.
Verdict: I wouldn’t put you off likely favourite Dhushan. The Mark Johnson pair of Kondo Isami & Harlem Soul are high on the shortlist. Whilst Reverend Hubert won’t have an issue, if the ground eases before post time and has each way claims.
1pt win – Harlem Soul – 6/1 @ Bet365
1pt each way – Reverend Hubert – 16/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
3:15 – bet365 Old Newton Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 4f
Dark Jedi twice a winner in the early part of last season. Took his form to an even higher level in defeat when stepped up to 1m 4f+ in August/Sept. Runner-up at York the 5-year-old put in a career best effort on RPR’s when a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 17 behind Euchen Glen here over 1m 6f. Fifth of 11 on his first start for 9 months at Windsor 7-days ago. Swift return to action here but wasn’t subjected to hard a race when his chance had gone. Quick ground would be a bit of an unknown, winning form on good, but thunderstorms are forecast.
Midnight’s Legacy won his first two starts here last season, including one over C&D. Not as good on subsequent starts but bounced back to winning form at Epsom 28-days ago. The handicapper has raised the 4-year-old 8lb for that win which looks a bit harsh but he can’t be totally ruled out after the ease of his last time out win.
Longsider is a fascinating contender on his turf/handicap debut. The 4-year-old has only had three career starts and bids for the hat trick today. A big scopey gelding he needs to improve again to win a race like this but such improvement looks likely. Interesting that that Sir Mark Prescott throws in him in at the deep end for his first run since February.
Verdict: Longsider and Dark Jedi are my picks in a competitive renewal of the Old Newton Cup.
1pt win – Dark Jedi –10/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Longsider – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John