SATURDAY SELECTIONS

SANDOWN PARK

2-05      EBF WILLIAM HILL NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES H’CAP HURDLE FINAL – 2 M 4 F

Caesar Milan has won his last two races on heavy ground at Taunton so conditions look ideal this afternoon. Harry Derham has also been on board for those two most recent wins and his invaluable three pound claim will be another useful asset in a competitive race.

Knight Of Noir looks to have every chance and has the assistance of Tom Scudamore in the saddle. He too has decent form in desperate ground and is proven at the trip. Paul  Nicholls should have this one’s measure as his Brother Du Berlais was runner up to Knight Of Noir at Wincanton earlier in the month.

Classic Move has won three of his last four starts for Donald McCain. He did win his last race by over twenty lengths on similar going, but the form has not been franked since. The McCain yard are a bit hit and miss at present so he is passed over on this occasion.

The biggest threat to the selection could well be Horizontal Speed. He is fully at home in testing ground and like Caesar Milan he has won his two most recent starts at Taunton. Richard Johnson’s record on him reads well and they look sure to be in the mix. Caesar Milan still remains far from exposed and is open to further improvement.

2-40      WILLIAMHILL.COM MOBILE HANDICAP CHASE – 3 MILES 110YDS

Merrion Square likes it around Sandown and has finished first and second on his only previous visits to the course. He also goes well fresh so the seventy day break should not pose too much of a problem.

He has relatively few miles on the clock for being an eight year old and he will be fully at home in the underfoot condtions. His young apprentice was on board for the most recent run here where they were only just beaten by a rejuvenated Fine Parchment.

There will be no hiding place from the frontrunning Chartreux. His recent form figures could prove deceptive now that trainer Tom George is back in good form. It is often said that the best place to be on soft ground is out in front and if back to his best this nine year old could prove to be the biggest threat.

Noble Legend is unproven at this trip and on ground as bad as this and is passed over. Soll is just two pounds higher than when winning this last season. This may have been his aim all season and he has to be respected. Merrion Square represents a stable in good form and is still realtively unexposed. He can give the yard a third win in this race within the last five years.

3-15      WILLIAM HILL IMPERIAL CUP H’CAP HURDLE (GRADE 3) – 2 MILES 110 YDS

Baltimore Rock can enhance the excellent record of David Pipe in this particular race. He certainly acts in the bottomless ground and with a relative featherweight on his back he looks to have a more than decent chance.

Tom Scudamore has been on board for the five year old’s two most recent wins and the yard shall only be all too acutely aware of the massive bonus that is on offer for winning this and again at the Festival next week.

Regal Encore has never finished outside of the first two placings in any race. He was second to Briar Hill at Cheltenham last season but that Champion Bumper may have lacked any real strength in depth. He was also beaten in a far lower grade last time out and he represents no value at current odds.

Vibrato Valtat is proven on the ground and the form of his last race seems strong. He seems to be improving with each start for Paul Nicholls and is most likely to cause the biggest danger to the selection.Nicky Henderson’s Fourth Estate goes well fresh and is lightly raced. He too could make the frame at a decent price.

The Pipe’s have farmed this race down the years so it wouldn’t be the biggest shock if history were to repeat itself this afternoon.

SUNDAY SELECTION

NAAS

3-00      IRISH RACING WRITERS KINGSFURZE NOVICE HURDLE – 2 MILES

Quickpic Vic should find this company far less demanding than the recent Grade One that he contested at Leopardstown. He ran as well as could be expected last time against the likes of Vautour and The Tullow Tank and should he win convincingly, he could yet head to Cheltenham later in the week for the County Hurdle.

Kick On Boss has run well here twice in the past. William McCreery has his string in good form and despite the drop in trip he still commands plenty of repsect. The same cannot be said of Champagne James who was a game winner of a maiden hurdle at this course last time out. This sharp drop back in distance may not suit and he faces his sternest opposition to date.

Despite the assistance of Ruby Walsh in the plate Pink Hat is starting to look a bit exposed. She has yet to show any real liking for jumping obstacles and is best watched on her first venture into handicap company. Quickpic Vic has the best form in the book and should take all the beating.

[table] Course, Pick
SATURDAY 2-05 SANDOWN, CAESAR MILAN
SATURDAY 2-40 SANDOWN,MERRION SQUARE
SATURDAY 3-15 SANDOWN,BALTIMORE ROCK
SUNDAY 3-00 NAAS,QUICKPIC VIC [/table]