Hi all,
I tend to leave fallow, as far as selections are concerned, the early part of the week at this time of the year and this week has been no exception.
There is a decent enough card at Sandown this afternoon with highlight of a seven race card being the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2:25). Last year’s renewal was won by Love Envoi who went onto success at the Cheltenham Festival. I have a couple of selections from Sandown and one from Newcastle.
Sandown
2:25 – Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m 4f)
Trainer Jamie Snowden who saddled the 2021 winner and has the favourite here in You Wear It Well. The mare, a winner of her first two starts over hurdles, was no match for Ballymore hopeful Hermes Allen. When a 4 ½ length runner-up to that one in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury last time. That’s just about the best from on offer and a reproduction of her Challow performance would probably be good enough to land this.
Gordon Elliott brings over Galway winner Deeply Superficial who has had wind surgery since finishing 4th of 6 in a Grade 2 at Naas in December. Given connections she clearly must be respected back against her own sex.
Another interesting rival is Touchy Feely. A winner at Doncaster on hurdle debut in November. She’s since followed up at Ludlow (2m 5 ½ f) 58 days ago. This race was mentioned as her target by trainer Nicky Henderson after Ludlow success. And although she has a to find with the other two mares mentioned she’s got a likeable attitude and could be capable of better on just her third start over hurdles.
Touchy Feely – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
4:10 – Domaine De L’Isle has been beaten a combined total of 106 lengths on three starts this season. That makes him a risky selection here but he’s dropped down to a very tempting handicap mark being 17lb lower than when winning at Cheltenham in April 2021. He could once again run dreadfully, or he could bounce back to form. The former seems most likely but at around 16/1 I can take a chance that the latter is the outcome.
Domaine De L’Isle – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power.
Newcastle
2:45 – Six One Nine doesn’t win very often but he was on a going day when making all to win over C&D last February, from 1lb higher. Back to form effort when a good 9 length 2nd of 10 over C&D (good) 52-days ago. This is a better race, but the chances are he will get his own way in front today and that could be key to his chance. There have been a number of non-runners already this morning on account of the quick ground which has seen his odds shorten.
Six One Nine – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John