Out tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend's races
SATURDAY
SANDOWN
3-00 BETFRED MOBILE HEROES HANDICAP HURDLE (GRADE 3) – 2M 6F
Handsupfordetroit is a soft ground specialist and he has made the frame in ten of his last twelve career starts. He unshipped his rider at this meeting last year having made an uncustomary blunder when travelling well. Since then he has reverted back to the smaller obstacles where he has performed with credit at both Chepstow and Ffos Las in recent starts. His regular rider Robert Williams takes off a more than useful five pounds and having won over further in the past, his stamina is assured. The last time that he tried this trip he won a chase at Ballinrobe by no fewer than eleven lengths.
Polamco is a horse that is certainly on the up. He has won his last two starts for Harry Fry and is still only lightly raced. There is every chance that there could be more to come with ground conditions unlikely to prove too problematic. He should be able to confirm recent form with Saffron Wells despite a turnaround in the weights and he looks the biggest danger in a race where many are in good form.
Mr Grey is a lightly raced seven year old and he too looks to be improving. Although not guaranteed to see out this step up in trip he makes some appeal at a decent each way price. Handsupfordetroit should run his customary good race and despite being a ten year old he commands plenty of respect.
WETHERBY
3-20 TOTEPOOL TOWTON NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 2) – 3 M 1 F
Kaki De La Pree has made the frame six times in an eight race career and loves it when there is plenty of give underfoot. He looked very much in need of the run when finishing third of four to the re-opposing Return Spring and that was proven with a more fluent display last time out at Newbury. He bumped into a fully rejuvenated Gevrey Chambertin and was far from disgraced when beaten just over two lengths by the likeable front running grey. Tom Symonds should have him in peak condition for this stamina sapping contest and it would be of little surprise to see him record a first win of the season.
Ned Stark is another mudlover and he has recorded wins at Newbury and Huntingdon already this season. He was upped to this level at Cheltenham last time but was beaten almost twenty seven lengths by Ptit Zig. There looks to be nothing of that calibre in opposition today and he should be seen in a much better light. He looks the pick of the opposition and the likeliest danger.
Return Spring has not fared at all well in his two most recent outings. He was beaten when making a mistake behind Kings Palace at Cheltenham and then pulled up on soft ground at Warwick next time. Donald McCain has started to get among the winners of late and Tonvadosa looks an out and out stayer. This is a steep rise in grade for the mare but she could well make the frame. Kaki De La Pree has suggested that he is running into form and Felix De Giles knows him inside out. The duo should prove a tough combination to beat.
SANDOWN
3-35 BETFRED MASTERS HANDICAP CHASE – 3 MILES 110 YDS
Ardkilly Witness came back to record a gutsy win at Kempton a few weeks ago where the front two in the race pulled some sixteen lengths ahead of their toiling rivals. He just about got the better of Masters Hill in an epic dual that was nip and tuck right up the run in. The nine year old is fully at home on testing ground and he was a gallant runner up in this very race last season. Will Kennedy was on board for that win last time and Richard Newland has opted to retain the partnership. He has won over further in the past so he should be staying on when others have cried enough.
Benny’s Mist looks to be coming to hand just at the right time and Venetia Williams trained the winner of this race last season. Aiden Coleman has been on board for five out his seven career wins to date and bid to extend that. The yard remains in good form and they have to be considered as a viable threat.
Paul Nicholls has opted to run two here. Just A Par seems to have spent forever out in the doldrums while course regular There’s No Panic is also set to participate. The former was hell bent on trying to make all at Cheltenham before tiring in the closing stages when finishing fourth to stablemate Mon Parrain. The latter is still well handicapped on the best of his old form and looks to have the more solid credentials. Ardkilly Witness looks to have been specifically targeted at this race by his astute trainer and he ought to go very close yet again.
