Hi all,
A tricky and highly competitive days sport. Today’s big races are at Sandown. Where its Tolworth Hurdle Day. Besides the Grade 1 Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (2:25). We also have the final of the 2021 Veterans Chase Series (3:00). The ITV cameras are covering four races from Sandown and four from Wincanton as part of an eight-race programme this afternoon.
I was out and about yesterday so Saturday’s preview is shorter than usual. Let’s begin at Sandown.
Sandown
1:50 – Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 1m 7 ½ f
Gunsight Ridge – An eyecatcher when 3rd of 8 at Aintree on his chase debut. He improved again when 6 length 2nd of 8 to the smart L’Homme Presse in handicap chase at Exeter last time. He’s 3lb higher than at Exeter but looks well in if you take that form literally.
Numitor a winner at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance. The 8-year-old ran just as well when 6 ½ length 2nd of 12 at Newbury last time. He’s won three of his six starts over fences and looks capable of winning again off a mark of 132, particularly if he gets an uncontested lead.
Monsieur Lecoq has question to answer as to his well being after finishing last of seven over hurdles last time. However, he’s on the same mark as when running Amoola Gold to a head at Ascot three starts ago. A winner over hurdle here in the past. He’s got a decent handicap in him if bounces back to form.
Up The Straight won a novice chase at Plumpton on his seasonal return but arguably put in his best performance when a 6 ½ length 2nd of 9 to Farinet here over 2m 4f in March. Drops back to the minimum trip for the first time and if it’s not an inconvenience he’s in the mix.
3:00 – Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (The Final Of The 2021 Veterans Chase Series) (Class 2) – 3m
Aso, trained by Venetia Williams, was a 3 ¾ length 2nd of 11 to Blaklion in veterans handicap at Haydock last time. The 12-year-old has top weight to carry but does have a touch of class and the yard won this in 2019. He goes well in the mud but 3m on a stiff track does leave him vulnerable to stronger stayers.
Evan Williams saddled the winner in 2018 and has also had a third & fourth in the race. He could saddle Prime Venture. Respected on his 8-length 5th of 18 in last seasons’ Welsh Grand National. Was found to have bled when pulling up last time on his seasonal return.
Sir Ivan was a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 15 in last year’s race. He finished a respectable 6 ½ lengths 4th of 11 to Final Nudge in veterans chase at Warwick last time. Now 5lb higher than 12 months ago but he’s respected.
3:35 – Unibet Casino Deposit £10 Get £40 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m
Hermes Bay is the runner inn the field with the most upside and he looked a big improver when winning an 18-runner novice hurdle at Exeter (soft) last time. Handicap hurdle debut off what looks a workable mark of 124 makes him a worthy favourite.
Volkovka won on heavy at Exeter in February so shouldn’t have any issues with underfoot conditions. A winner at Carlisle on her seasonal reappearance the mare put in a career best when a 1 ¼ lengths second of 12 here last time. Drops back to 2m here but a stamina test will suit her and she shouldn’t be far away.
Wincanton
1:30 – Midnight Callisto hasn’t really built on her winning racecourse debut in a Fontwell bumper back in October 2019. Winless after seven starts over hurdles. However, she did put in a personal best over the smaller obstacles when a 1 length 2nd of 12 in novice handicap hurdle at Taunton last month. The first time cheekpieces are added and if they have the desired effect, she can win this.
2:05 – Belle De Manech a useful hurdler, made it 2-3 here at Wincanton when making a winning chase debut on Boxing Day. That was a mares’ only handicap chase but she couldn’t have been more impressive in winning by 14 lengths. Up 10lb for that success and down to the minimum trip but she didn’t look short of pace last time so should be ok with it.
Another Crick is a potentially well handicapped on his 4 ¼ length 4th of 12 at Warwick in February. Likely in need of his seasonal return when 3rd of 8 over hurdles at Leicester last month and looks a big player here.
2:40 – Apple Rock won three times over hurdles last season, all right-handed. He goes well in the mud. The 8-year-old ran better than his 18 ¼ length 7th of 12 at Leicester on his seasonal reappearance suggests, as he raced on the unfavored inner part of the hurdle track that day. Back down to his last winning mark.
Crossing The Bar has just had the two starts over hurdles and the 4-year-old was a good 3 ¾ length 3rd of 8 at Ffos Las last time. Open to further improvement and makes his handicap hurdle debut off what looks a winnable mark of 108.
3:15 – I’m not sure Killer Clown will want the ground to be as testing but the drop back to 2m 4f looks a positive and he goes well right-handed.
Stolen Silver will find this more to his liking than when 4th of 7 in a Grade 1 at Sandown last month. A winner at Market Rasen in October before finishing a neck 2nd of 9 to Editeur Du Gite at Cheltenham. He finished nicely clear of the third that day and although he’s up 5lb should go close. Stayed 2m 4f over hurdles and this will be his first start over the trip over the larger obstacles.
Mont Des Avaloirs is back from a 455-day absence here. A useful hurdler, the 9-year-old is 0-5 over fences but he’s shown enough to think he can be competitive off a mark of 137. Looked booked for second when taking a crashing fall at Chepstow when last seen in action. Ground should be fine and trainer Paul Nicholls saddled the winner of this 12 months ago.
Betting Advice:
1:50 – 1pt win – Up The Straight – 15/2 @ Bet365 and 1pt win – Monsieur Lecoq – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:00 – 0.5pts each way – Prime Venture – 20/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
3:35 – 1pt win – Volkovka – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Wincanton
1:30 – 1pt win – Midnight Callisto – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:05 – 1pt win – Belle De Manech – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power and 1pt win – Another Crick – 11/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Cheers
John