Hi all,
A nice winner for the eyecatchers at Sandown on Friday. We have seven tracker horses running on Saturday and a couple of other selections.
Saturday 9th March
Sandown
2:25 – Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – 2m
As I said yesterday, we have two recent eyecatchers running in the race: Solomon Grey and Malaya. I still think the former could be better on a sound surface, but I can’t leave out of the portfolio. No issue with soft going for Malaya and she can go close. I am also tempted by the David Pipe trained Extra Mag in the first time cheekpieces.
Solomon Grey – 8/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
Malaya – 6/1 – Gen
Extra Mag – 8/1 @ William Hill
3:35 – A 3m class 3 handicap chase.
Ami Debois, is just 4lb higher than when beaten a neck over C&D 35-days ago. The form of that race is solid, and the 9-year-old takes a slight drop in class here. Deserves to win a race like this.
Bob Mahler will appreciate the softer ground and the 7-year-old remains unexposed over fences.
Commodore, trained by Venetia Williams, jumped really well when winning at Warwick on his seasonal reappearance. The 7-year-old is now 2 wins from 3 runs over fences. First start for 68-days but as he showed at Warwick he goes well off a lay off. Up slightly in class and up 13lb in the weights Hugh Nugent takes off a valuable 7lb and the gelding can go close if in the same form as last time.
Ami Debois – 9/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
Commodore – 9/2 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
Ayr
3:20 – Saint Leo, a five-time winner when trained in France, on soft/heavy ground. Made no show on his first start for Sandy Thomson at Carlisle back in November on good ground. The 6-year-old ran much better when 4th of 7 at Wetherby 72-days ago. Gets soft ground and has been dropped 2lb since Wetherby. Looks on competitive mark and can go well.
Saint Leo – 5/1 @ Paddy Power or 9/2 @ Bet365
Recent Eyecatchers Running On Saturday
4:10 – Enola Gay, another Venetia Williams trained runner. The eyecatcher had been consistent on his first three starts. Not as good at Cheltenham 42-days ago but dropping back slightly in grade and with the added cheekpieces, he can go well.
Enola Gay – 5/2 @ William Hill
4:30 – Better Getalong, found the step up in class too much at Ascot 49-days ago. The 7-year-old is better judged on his runner-up to Ballymoy on heavy at Haydock two starts back. A reproduction of that run should see the Nicky Richards trained runner go close.
Better Getalong – 5/1 @ William Hill or 9/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Hereford
4:35 – Baby King, has dropped 3lb since his close-up at Warwick two starts back. The 10-year-old has since disappointed at Wetherby 18-days ago. Well-handicapped if he can bounce back and the softer the ground the better for him.
Baby King – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Betway – each way
Gowran Park
3:40 – A 2m 2f handicap chase. Which looks to be run on soft ground. Two recent eyecatchers take their place in the 11 strong field.
Avenir D’Une Vie, trained by Henry De Bromhead, shaped with promise on his first start for 12 months at Fairyhouse in January. The 9-year-old finished last of four in Grade 3 at Naas 13-days ago. Gets his favoured soft ground for the first time this season and has each way claims.
R’evelyn Pleasure, caught the eye when 4th of 14 in a similar race at Leopardstown 35-days ago. The 7-year-old is improving with each start since going chasing this season. Different ground to what he’s faced on his last two starts but he was effective on rain softened ground when running over hurdles and the ground should defeat him. The slight step up distance will be in his favour and I expect him to give his running here.
Avenir D’Une Vie – 20/1 @ Paddy Power – each way or 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way
R’evelyn Pleasure – 13/2 – Gen
Always check with an odds comparison service like Oddschecker to get the best prices available
All selections win only unless indicated as each way.
Any Sunday selections will be with you tomorrow morning.
Good luck with your bets.
Cheers
John