Hi all,
The weekend’s betting action begins today. It’s the first of two days racing at Sandown which culminates with Tingle Creek Chase tomorrow and oh boy does this two mile Grade 1 Chase look a competitive race If you like your handicap chased. there are a couple Class 3 handicap chases at Exeter.
Sandown
1:20 – A 1m 7 ½ f Class 3 handicap chase. The front two in the early betting look strong contenders. John BB, trained by Tom Lacey, won one of his three starts over hurdles last season over 2m 4f/2m 5f. Looked more of a chaser than a hurdler and ran well enough when third on his chase debut behind Champagne Mystery at Aintree last month. The 5-year-old open to plenty of improvement A mark of 124 looks more than workable but he is dropping down to the minimum trip here.
Awake At Midnight won his first starts of last season over hurdles & fences so goes well fresh. Didn’t really build on the promise until finishing runner-up at Exeter on his final start of last season. First start since April. Just 3lb higher than for his last win and looks suited to good or good to soft ground. Looks a big player here.
Darebin & Prairie Town were first and second at Kempton 25-days ago. The 7-year-old is up 4lb for that win, but he’s still handicapped to be competitive on his best form. More experienced that the previous two horses mentioned but he’s previous C&D winner and can’t be totally discounted at his favourite track. Prairie Town get’s a 1lb for ¾ length from Darebin. He races off his last winning mark and should be fitter today for his seasonal return. Like Darebin, he’s vulnerable to unexposed rivals but is an each-way contender!
1pt win – John BB – 5/2 – Gen
Exeter
3:05 – Dancing Shadow like here and was runner-up here on his seasonal reappearance last month. Up 3lb for that effort. The 10-year-old doesn’t find winning easy but a 7lb conditional has been booked for the ride today which could make all the difference at the finish.
Nativegetaway put in career best over fences when 2nd of 13 here over 3m, 23-days ago. Steps up 6 ½ f in distance but shaped last time like he needed further than 3m so it looks worth a try. This is just the 6-year-old’s fourth start over the larger obstacles and he’s capable of better.
There shouldn’t be any stamina issues for Lord Getaway who finished third in the Durham National two starts back. Last time looked in need of further when runner-up over 3m 1f at Ludlow 22-days ago. Up 2lb for that effort but can close if he cuts out the jumping errors.
1pt win – Lord Getaway – 9/2 – Gen
Cheers
John