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Sandown Park Wednesday 24th July 2012

You'd be right to think this Wednesdays card at Sandown is a strange one to preview but I'm going to the music night with some Esher High faithful and I thought I'd give everyone some advice on the runners and riders but it's very important to note that this does not guarantee you winners but it may help some way towards that process.

On another note I'd like to add that the King George at Ascot last Saturday was a sublime renewal of such an important race in the flat seasons calendar. The filly Danedream who won this race was overpriced at 9/1. Last Autumn I was in France to see her run in the Prix de la arc de Triomphe, that day she broke the track record so no fluke whatsoever but was slightly gutted by another superb ride and training performance by John Gosden who saddled Nathaniel running a valiant second.

On with the card...

17.50pm 1m 2f Handicap

A trappy handicap here in what looks to be difficult to find that absolute cert when taking the ground, distance, form and trainer form into the equation. On trainer form it looks like Marco Botti is getting a fair few of his runners in 1st and 2nd spot and that helps, the horse I'm looking at is trained by him so Strawberrymystique needs to be given a chance but may not stay the extra 2 furlongs or indeed appreciate firm ground. However, I'm looking at a bit of value in the first race and the Eve Johnson Houghton trained AMISTRESS looks to have a chance at the weights and running 3lb lower than her last victory seems to point to a big run in what is a very competitive handicap. Looking through this Kalanisi fillies form you can see that last season she was very consistent and competitive amongst horses of this kind and if she can recapture some of her best form over a trip that suits, I'm happy to give her an each way squeak.

18.20pm Molesey Nursery 5f 6y

Hard to get stuck in here also, nursery races can throw up some interesting results but with only six going to post here and some with form to go on a case can be made for one or two. The only negative that most of that form is either on the all weather or on soft ground so its quite hard to get a handle on these. However, as mentioned previously Marco Botti is in good form and he saddles a progressive type in JET ACCLAIM this Acclamation filly found the 6f trip just too much for her last time out and I believe the step down to 5f will be the making of her in this moderate race.

18.55pm Maiden Stakes 7f

Some interesting maidens go to post here and I'm certainly interested in Shades of grey and the goldophin trained Authorized colt Altruism both bought for relatively high amounts and who could be anything!. Consequently, as I always say a paddock check is absolutely imperative here in making your selection, look for behaviour, sweating up, look into the eyes do they want this!! Basically what I'm saying is that only a few have had a previous run so with limited form go and have a look at these beautiful animals. Now if I'm to tip one it's the likely favourite in the shape of Tropical Song but it's COLMAR KID who has some interesting entries later this season which may indeed only be precautionary or indeed he may not run in but thats interesting nonetheless. The booking of Jamie Spencer and with a run already under his belt would of sharpened this bay colt for this run. However, this is not a solid bet or even a definitive bet until I have seen all of these in the paddock!

19.30pm 7f Handicap

Finally we have a race in which form is detailed, handicap mark determined and a more objective selection can be made. The handicapper has been quite clever here and looks to have the measure of most of these and really does even this race up with the weights as they are. However, SOLAR DEITY could certainly be overpriced here as I believe the ground will suit, the 7 furlong trips looks ideal as this exceed and excel colt has shown to leave it too late when staying on over 6 furlongs and the mile is slightly too far at the moment. The handicap mark looks a fair one and if you discount his last run on ground that doesn't suit then the standout form is running against a much higher quality field over the 6 furlongs at Newmarket in the Tatersalls Millions in which he finished 4th staying on in the finish and in the process finishing ahead of Samitar who won the Irish 1000 guineas, that form alone looks like the best on offer so this could be a very astute each way bet for SOLAR DEITY.

20.05 1m Handicap

BURKES ROCK the Jeremy Noseda trained filly looks a progressive type and is off a winnable mark when you judge her run the time before last at Newmarket winning readily on good to firm ground. A repeat of that run over her desired trip looks set to give this filly a very solid chance. I also will be having an each way punt on SUGARFORMYHONEY I believe this horse still has progress to be made. The soft ground last time out put paid to her chances and moving from Hannons to Duracks yard could reignite the potential that this nicely bred filly showed early in her career. I believe if this horse is rode less handily and new tactics employed then George Baker can certainly land this prize.

20.40pm 1m 6f Handicap

Got to go with the in form CALLISTO MOON you can clearly see that some of these have found things tough of late and I also believe that the handicapper has been particularly tough on some of these. That however cannot be said about CALLISTO MOON this Jo Hughes trained bay gelding is getting a little long in the tooth now but is still enjoying the racetrack and with course and distance form around this beautiful Esher track on good to firm ground then I have no doubt he will run a solid race.

Good Luck if your having a punt!

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