Hi all,
The jumpers take centre stage at Sandown on Saturday as the curtain comes down on the NH season. The big betting race of a seven-race card is bet365 Gold Cup (3.32). The feature race though is the Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase (3:00). Also on the card are a two Grade 2 races: the bet365 Oaksey Chase (2.25) and the bet365 Select Hurdle (4.07). Add in three more competitive looking handicaps and you have the makings of good card to end what has been an excellent winter jumps season.
The ITV cameras will be covering the best of the action from Sandown and Perth where it’s the final day of its April Festival where the feature race is the William Hill Highland National Handicap Chase (2:40). On Saturday ITV will be at Sandown for four races and they will also be at Haydock & Leicester for one race.
Sandown
The bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (1:50) opens a seven-race card on Finale Day. The field size has held up and the race looks competitive. Whizz Kid, 4th of 16 at Aintree last time won’t be far away again. Recent Newbury winner Knappers Hill and the four-timer seeking Head Law are sure to be popular with punters. Doctor Parnassus has a touch of class and must be respected on he’s 12-length 7th of 12 to Vauban in the Triumph Hurdle. However, a chance is taken with Alto Alto. The 5-year-old got off the mark for the first time over hurdles in decisive fashion at Plumpton 20-days ago. He’ll like the sound surface and trainer Chris Gordon is 5-11 with his runners in the past 14-days.
For racing fans of a certain vintage, the 3m 5f bet365 Gold Cup (3:32) will always be remembered as the ‘Whitbread Gold Cup’ although it hasn’t been known as that since 2001.
Enrilo was first past the post in the race 12 months ago but lost the race in the steward’s room as he was found to have hampered the unlucky third Kitty’s Light and therace was awarded to the runner-up Potterman. The three are set for rematch along with 12 rivals. Enrilo looks to have been laid out for the race again and is best off at the weights of the three. Potterman normally gives his running and the quicker the ground the better his chance. Kitty’s Light runner-up to stablemate Win My Wings in the Scottish Grand National Kitty’s Light wouldn’t be winning out of turn and was very unlucky in this race 12 months ago. Win My Wings is 14lb higher than when winning the Scottish National and is 12lb worse off with Kitty’s Light on that running but you can’t rule her out if she’s in the same form today. Hewick pulled up in the Midlands Grand National last time but it was soft ground that day and he had run well for a long way. He’s better judged on his good ground success in the Durham National two starts back.
Haydock
There’s one race at Haydock being covered live by ITV this afternoon and it’s the Class 2 Great Shevington Handicap (2:05). Likely favourite Alrehb will be tough to beat if reproducing his useful all-weather form on his turf debut and will be suited by the drying ground. Boardman has dropped down to a winning mark and was in great form at this time last season. He’s a previous C&D winner and shaped with promise when 4th of 16 on his seasonal reappearance at Redcar. The quicker the ground the better for Gioia Cieca. The 4-year-old was a big disappointment on his seasonal return at Musselburgh 7-days ago but it was good to soft that day and his best form has come on quick ground. He’s on what looks a winnable mark and he’s the pick at the prices.
Betting Advice:
With the Punchestown Festival coming up and Guineas Weekend just a week away I’m keeping my powder relatively dry today.
Sandown
1:50 – 1pt win – Alto Alto – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:32 – 1pt each way – Potterman – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Coral (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds) and 1pt win – Enrilo – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Haydock
2:05 – 1pt win – Gioia Cieca – 17/2 @ Bet365 or 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
There won’t be any selections on Sunday & Monday but I will be back for the first day of the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday.
Cheers
John