Hi all,
I’m going to be taking advantage more of the ante post markets for the weekend’s ITV races in 2024. The best value is often to be found in the market before final declarations.
Granted this form of betting isn’t to everyone’s liking due to the potential for non-runners and sadly I’m sure there will be a fair few of them during the year. However, I think it’s worth a go and I’m starting this week.
Saturday’s best racing is at Sandown. There’s no Tolworth Hurdle on this year’s card but there is the Veterans’ Series Final.
ITV Racing are covering four races from Sandown and three from Wincanton on Saturday.
Just 48 were left in the four Sandown races on ITV at Monday’s final confirmation stage with 18 of them in the Veterans’ Chase Final. That means we are likely looking at some small fields with the exception of the later race.
Sandown
The Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (1:50) is Class 2 contest run over 2m 4f. Early bird favourite Georges Saint has won his last two starts over fences. He clearly goes well on heavy ground as both those wins came on that surface. He’s 7lb higher in a better race so needs to improve again but there’s a good chance he can granted a decent stamina test. Trainer Venetia Williams saddled Farinet to win the corresponding race in 2022. He’s a worthy favourite but he also holds an entry for Wincanton (2:40) on Saturday. That is a slightly lesser race than this so he might well head there.
The Gary Moore trained Hudson De Grugy is another with solid claims in the race. A four-time winner at Sandown, he can now race off the same mark as when winning over C&D in March. At his best on soft ground there was plenty to like about his seasonal reappearance 10 length 3rd of 8 here (2m) last month. The return to 2m 4f is a definite plus and this has likely been the plan.
Carbon King got off the mark at the third attempt over fences when beating five rivals at Ffos Las last month. He was another who relished the return to testing ground last time. A 3lb rise isn’t harsh given he’s open to further improvement over fences. He’s a standout 15/2 with Bet365 and those odds are worth taking.
Georges Saint – 1pt win – 5/1 – Gen.
Carbon King – 1pt win – 15/2 @Bet365.
I’m looking at the Veterans Chase Series to see if there’s any ante post value to be had. Watch your inboxes for updates as to any early bets in that race.
January is normally quiet midweek on the betting front, so my next selections are likely to be on Saturday.
Cheers
John