SANDOWN
1-50 BETFRED GOALS GALORE HANDICAP CHASE – 2 MILES
Rebel Rebellion looks the value option in this handicap chase. He is a previous course and distance winner and revels in the mud. He won over further at Aintree last time under the same jockey, but he was all out to do so.
This drop back down in distance may well suit and his proven stamina should be enough to see him right in the mix here.
Eastlake is also proven in bottomless ground and over this course and distance. He is due to be partnered by Thomas O’Brien for the first time and he is able to claim a valuable ten pounds.
He can take a bit of coaxing in his races as well as hit a bit of a flat spot and this young amateur may lack the necessary experience in order to guide him home. Desert Cry has been in rude health of late and may provide the sternest opposition to the selection.
He likes to attack from off a strong pace and with the front running Kumbeshwar in the line up that is almost guaranteed. This is Desert Cry’s first visit to Sandown Park and that may just count against him. Paul Nicholls has his yard in excellent form and it will be of little surprise if this prize heads back to Ditcheat.
FFOS LAS
2-05 BURNS PET NUTRITION WELSH CHAMPION HURDLE – 2 M 4 F
Whisper is a bit of a standing dish around Ffos Las. His three previous visits to the track have resulted in wide margin wins and Andrew Tinkler has been on board for all of them. Despite having to find something on the official ratings with Saphir De Rheu for a nine length beating at Sandown, he is set to receive almost a stone from that rival. That should be enough for him to turn the tables on the Paul Nicholls inmate.
Saphir De Rheu has gone from strength to strength this season since being upped in distance. This will be the first time that he has raced over two and a half miles and whether he has the tactical speed for it remains to be seen.
He is due to carry top weight here and he will not find that easy on ground this deep and against some fairly talented rivals. Grand Vision is a consistent sort, but age is creeping up on him and he is without a win to his name in over two years. He will relish the conditions though and if the leading lights fail to fire, he will be there to pick up the pieces.
This looks a bit too tough for Awaywiththegreys whilst Alaivan and Swynmor have become very expensive to follow. Whisper seems to have ticks in all of the right boxes and Nicky Henderson will have him primed for this. He ought to go very well.
LINGFIELD
2-55 LADBROKES HANDICAP – 1 MILE
Rebellious Guest came with a devastating late burst of speed to deny Emkanaat over this course and distance only last week and connections shall be keen to employ similar tactics once again this afternoon.
Tom Queally replaces Jamie Spencer in the saddle, but he has won on him twice before, so he should know exactly how he should be ridden. Rebellious Guest is still potentially well handicapped having won off a mark four pounds higher in the past.
Marco Botti does well with his all weather runners and Odyssee makes her British debut today. She is a four year old daughter of Teofilio and if she takes to this surface, she could well provide the toughest opposition to the selection. Emerald Wilderness may be getting on a bit now, but he is starting to become dangerously well handicapped.
He is a previous course and distance winner that could go well at massive odds. Apostle is unproven over this trip and at the track so he is overlooked on this occasion.Rebellious Guest did it well last week and George Margarson is obviously striking whilst his horse is in form. They should prove the ones to beat here.
SANDOWN
3-35 BETFRED MASTERS HANDICAP CHASE – 3 M 110 YDS
Ardkilly Witness has stamina in abundance and he will need every ounce of it here in this competitive handicap. He has been fairly lightly campaigned despite being an eight year old and he is still relatively unexposed.
Ardkilly Witness revels in bog like condtions and that is exactly what shall be on offer this afternoon. Veteran jockey Leighton Aspell has been booked to ride the selection for the first time and that looks a shrewd move by connections given his decent strike rate at Sandown Park.
Theatrical Star could well prove a very live threat under conditions that will suit. He is still five pounds lower in the ratings than what he has won off in the past and is another that is potentially well treated.
There is a massive question mark hanging over the form of the Tizzard runners at present, but it would be of little surprise to see him go well. Handsupfordetroit is another up in grade this afernoon. He is a consitent type but he has been punished for that by the handicapper as he is now racing off a career high mark.
He will relish the ground and if others flounder in it, he looks set to be rewarded. Fruity O Rooney is talented and will have his supporters but he is better around Cheltenham and may just be gearing up for a run there in a few weeks time. Ardkilly Witness is still open to improvement and Richard Newland’s team are in good form.
They could prove a lethal combination in a very open race.
[table] Course, Pick
SAT SANDOWN 1-50, REBEL REBELLION
SAT FFOS LAS 2-05, WHISPER
SAT LINGFIELD 2-55, REBELLIOUS GUEST
SAT SANDOWN 3-35, ARDKILLY WITNESS [/table]
