Today had its ups and downs on the tipping front. I thought Aureate was a near cert in the 5.00 at Sandown but he wasn’t in the first four but the other horses mentioned in my preview gave a good account of themselves.
Harland and Tam Lin fought out the finish in the listed race. Despite a high head carriage and much tail swishing Tam Lin put up a real battle and was only outdone close home by Harland.
In the race that followed Marriotto came off best in another driving finish and looks a progressive sort.
Feeling Wonderful, suggested each way, was third (6/1) at Wolverhampton.
Saturday’s cards have been decimated by the rain but Sandown looks sure to go ahead.
Reverence makes a belated reappearance in the opener (2.05). He has to give weight away all round but is at his best with give in the ground and looks the likely winner.
The 2.35 looks a very competitive handicap. Rio Riva, Ordnance Row and Unshakable all come into the race on the back of impressive wins and are worth consideration. Plum Pudding represents our list to follow but his 3 career wins have all come at Newmarket. Ordnance Row acts on the ground, was an impressive winner at Salisbury last time out and I will give him my tentative selection.
It is hard to fault anything that Authorized has done and he should win the Eclipse. The only points against are the fact that only 2 favourites have won the Eclipse in the last 10 years and the horses finishing 2nd and 4th behind him in the Derby have both since been beaten.
Finalmente ran a cracker to finish 4th in the Ascot Gold Cup. Although he has a bit to find with The Geezer in the 4.20 he stays and has won on soft ground.
Ravi River represents our list to follow in the 4.55. He has been a beaten favourite on each of his last 3 starts so it is hard to get too enthusiastic about him. If we exclude his last run there may have been excuses for the other defeats so he is worth watching. A small each way perhaps.
Monte Alto and Rock Anthem are our list runners in the 5.30. Rock Anthem is no world beater but he showed a pleasing attitude to win a decent Goodwood handicap last time and acts on soft ground. He has gone up 5 lbs but looks a decent bet to make the first 3. Monte Alto has finished 3rd on his last 2 runs since winning at Lingfield. There is not much to choose between these two but I will give a slight preference to Rock Anthem.
Bo McGinty is suited by tracks like Beverley and I would quite fancy him to run well in the 3.20 there tomorrow but the ground is a concern. He has won on good to firm and I am not sure how he will handle heavy going. Bond Boy ran How’s She Cuttin’ close at Thirsk in the week and looks in good nick. Pawan was 2nd at Warwick on Thursday and should be thereabouts. Artie won the William Trophy as a 3 year old and was useful at his best. He also likes soft ground and comes from an in form stable. He should be fitter for a recent run so if he retains his old ability he would come into the picture. A tricky handicap but Bond Boy looks the percentage call.
Handsome Falcon has done enough in his last 2 starts to warrant consideration in the 3.55. I am not sure that soft ground will suit him though.
Staked a Claim is one of the “darker” horses on our list. He showed some promise when 4th to Deserted Dane on his only start last season and is speedily bred. Deserted Dane was a winner recently and Staked a Claim looks an interesting prospect for the 5.35.
If Carlisle goes ahead tomorrow evening Prince Evelith, 2nd in the Carlisle Bell handicap recently, would be my selection.
Be lucky!
ahorse 