Here we go again another cracking weekend of racing to look forward to and what a truly wonderful end to the jump season we have in prospect. Looking back this past year of jumps has seen so many highlights.
A particular highlight of mine has to be Carruthers winning the Hennessy, a cracking ride from Mattie Bachelor and would be my ride of the year. My best tips have been Carruthers and Neptune Collognes both huge prices and I'm looking to finish this season with a bang at Sandown Park.
On with the card...
Sandown 1.30pm Class 2 2m
This newly titled Josh Gifford Hurdle is named after a hugely dedicated horseman who gave a lot to our beautiful sport, being the first race of the day it's always nice to make a positive start. We have some useful and progressive four year olds here, some will undoubtedly go onto better things. Looking into the form of this race I believe the horse must go on the ground, have experience at Sandown or similar tracks, be on a good handicap mark where progress can still be made. I believe that the Venetia Williams trained KAPGA DE CERISY is a good each way shout in the first. This horse has won at Sandown and ran a courageous race that day when fighting back up the hill to regain the lead. Many people may look to the Paul Nicholls trained favourite here but this horse finished in front of Ulk Di Lin that day in the Fred Winter. I'm also looking at SADDLERS RISK this Phil Hobbs trained Sadlers Wells gelding is a quality thoroughbred. The trainer has always spoken highly of this horse and I'm willing to give him a chance here off of top weight. He's been in a higher tier of racing than these and has been competitive in the majority of his races. If he finds his extra gear like he did at Kempton a few starts ago then this animal will take all the beating.
2.00pm Class 2 2m 3f Handicap Hurdle
Another interesting handicap with the horses on the upgrade at the lower end of the weights looking very interesting mixed in with some solid consistent performers near the top of the weights, so where is the winner coming from?. Nicky Henderson has had a truly excellent season and out of his two runners I do like the look of TOUR D'ARGENT this horse has the best form in the book and the owner Michael Buckley could see yet another nice prize find going into his pocket. TOUR D'ARGENT found attaglance too good for him last time out but that horse is now a very classy individual who won at Cheltenham. My other selection in this race goes to the Donald McCain trained BOURNE this horse s weighted nicely and has excellent form in the book but has been off the boil in his last two starts. However, looking back at his run at Ascot in February in winning a very competitive handicap hurdle beating SMAD Place and Swincombe flame. I wiling to give him an each way chance at a nice price.
2.35 Class 1 2m Celebration Chase
Very competitive chase over the minimum trip. I find it very pleasing to be seeing Somersby and Wishful Thinking lining up here and it is a toss up between the two of these high class performers. So, looking through the form, trip and course I believe SOMERSBY has the edge. My favourite piece of form is that which came against Finians Rainbow when he pulled out all the stops to land the Victor Chandler this winter. SOMERSBY has stronger form at Sandown and will stay the trip if it's ran at a blistering pace led presumably by Wishful Thinking. Also I have a bit if a soft spot for this horse and the wonderful trainer Henrietta Knight.
3.10 Class 1 3m 5f Gold Cup
A real treat in store here, it's always a competitive race and I just can't wait to see these galloping over the extended three mile trip. The trends in the last five years have pointed to horses that are carrying weight which has been lower than 11 stone. Lacdoudal was the last winner to carry over that weight to victory. Furthermore it's important to note that no favourite has won this race since Beau won it in 2000. For me the testing conditions are going to play a crucial part in this race so a real trier, slogger and courageous mud lark is crucial in selecting a winner. Finally, I do like horses with Sandown form so I'll also be looking out for that. Firstly, I've picked a horse that I have been patient to see as I would of backed this horse for the Scottish National if he lined up. The trainer is in awesome form and I believe a big run is on this cards, the horse won the Becher Chase at Aintree and won that in style, loves soft conditions and if he jumps well then I have no problem in backing this bay gelding. The horse I'm describing is WEST END ROCKER, has a great chance. My other selection is a big outsider, is out of form, carrying too much weight, may hate the ground but I believe DEEP PURPLE will put his best hoof forward. He really enjoys the fences at Sandown and ran a blinder carrying a similar weight back in December. I think a strong run is on the cards.
3.45 Class 1 1m 2f
POET is another real mud lark. Last year this Clive Cox trained Pivotal thoroughbred ran very consistently and ran a blinder here back in May when losing to Workforce by only a length and that form looks very strong at this track. The trainers horses have made a good start to this years flat season and a big run is anticipated. Plus and it is a huge plus the'Iceman'Ryan Moore is in the saddle!
Good Luck if your having a punt!
A particular highlight of mine has to be Carruthers winning the Hennessy, a cracking ride from Mattie Bachelor and would be my ride of the year. My best tips have been Carruthers and Neptune Collognes both huge prices and I'm looking to finish this season with a bang at Sandown Park.
On with the card...
Sandown 1.30pm Class 2 2m
This newly titled Josh Gifford Hurdle is named after a hugely dedicated horseman who gave a lot to our beautiful sport, being the first race of the day it's always nice to make a positive start. We have some useful and progressive four year olds here, some will undoubtedly go onto better things. Looking into the form of this race I believe the horse must go on the ground, have experience at Sandown or similar tracks, be on a good handicap mark where progress can still be made. I believe that the Venetia Williams trained KAPGA DE CERISY is a good each way shout in the first. This horse has won at Sandown and ran a courageous race that day when fighting back up the hill to regain the lead. Many people may look to the Paul Nicholls trained favourite here but this horse finished in front of Ulk Di Lin that day in the Fred Winter. I'm also looking at SADDLERS RISK this Phil Hobbs trained Sadlers Wells gelding is a quality thoroughbred. The trainer has always spoken highly of this horse and I'm willing to give him a chance here off of top weight. He's been in a higher tier of racing than these and has been competitive in the majority of his races. If he finds his extra gear like he did at Kempton a few starts ago then this animal will take all the beating.
2.00pm Class 2 2m 3f Handicap Hurdle
Another interesting handicap with the horses on the upgrade at the lower end of the weights looking very interesting mixed in with some solid consistent performers near the top of the weights, so where is the winner coming from?. Nicky Henderson has had a truly excellent season and out of his two runners I do like the look of TOUR D'ARGENT this horse has the best form in the book and the owner Michael Buckley could see yet another nice prize find going into his pocket. TOUR D'ARGENT found attaglance too good for him last time out but that horse is now a very classy individual who won at Cheltenham. My other selection in this race goes to the Donald McCain trained BOURNE this horse s weighted nicely and has excellent form in the book but has been off the boil in his last two starts. However, looking back at his run at Ascot in February in winning a very competitive handicap hurdle beating SMAD Place and Swincombe flame. I wiling to give him an each way chance at a nice price.
2.35 Class 1 2m Celebration Chase
Very competitive chase over the minimum trip. I find it very pleasing to be seeing Somersby and Wishful Thinking lining up here and it is a toss up between the two of these high class performers. So, looking through the form, trip and course I believe SOMERSBY has the edge. My favourite piece of form is that which came against Finians Rainbow when he pulled out all the stops to land the Victor Chandler this winter. SOMERSBY has stronger form at Sandown and will stay the trip if it's ran at a blistering pace led presumably by Wishful Thinking. Also I have a bit if a soft spot for this horse and the wonderful trainer Henrietta Knight.
3.10 Class 1 3m 5f Gold Cup
A real treat in store here, it's always a competitive race and I just can't wait to see these galloping over the extended three mile trip. The trends in the last five years have pointed to horses that are carrying weight which has been lower than 11 stone. Lacdoudal was the last winner to carry over that weight to victory. Furthermore it's important to note that no favourite has won this race since Beau won it in 2000. For me the testing conditions are going to play a crucial part in this race so a real trier, slogger and courageous mud lark is crucial in selecting a winner. Finally, I do like horses with Sandown form so I'll also be looking out for that. Firstly, I've picked a horse that I have been patient to see as I would of backed this horse for the Scottish National if he lined up. The trainer is in awesome form and I believe a big run is on this cards, the horse won the Becher Chase at Aintree and won that in style, loves soft conditions and if he jumps well then I have no problem in backing this bay gelding. The horse I'm describing is WEST END ROCKER, has a great chance. My other selection is a big outsider, is out of form, carrying too much weight, may hate the ground but I believe DEEP PURPLE will put his best hoof forward. He really enjoys the fences at Sandown and ran a blinder carrying a similar weight back in December. I think a strong run is on the cards.
3.45 Class 1 1m 2f
POET is another real mud lark. Last year this Clive Cox trained Pivotal thoroughbred ran very consistently and ran a blinder here back in May when losing to Workforce by only a length and that form looks very strong at this track. The trainers horses have made a good start to this years flat season and a big run is anticipated. Plus and it is a huge plus the'Iceman'Ryan Moore is in the saddle!
Good Luck if your having a punt!
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