I will begin tonight’s preview at Sandown where Andrew Balding saddles Ben’s Dream in the 2.40. This one has not lived up to the promise he showed as a juvenile but a drop back to the minimum trip and the application of a tongue tie may make a difference.
Wintercast has run 3 races in his life so far all over a mile. He runs in the 10 furlong handicap tomorrow at 4.25 and as his full brother Birkside has won 14 races at distances between 10 and 14 furlongs you would have to hope that the step up in trip will benefit him. A danger may he Shamali who should strip fitter for his run behind Wintercast at the end of last month.
In the 4.55 I would expect Luca Cumani’s runner Nbhan to go well on his handicap debut while Bagber could be difficult to keep out of the frame.
Tomorrow at Chepstow Andrew Balding gives a debut run to Suffolk Punch in the 6.30. He is a half brother to 3 winners and the dam is a half sister to Far Lane who won the Magnet Cup at York and also won a Newmarket listed race. He is the only runner without previous experience though.
Favours Brave represents my list to follow in the 6.20 at Goodwood. He was a disappointment at Nottingham last time over this trip and would need to improve on that to figure here. He has come down 4 lbs in the weights however and it is possible that easier ground would help him.
Bennelong has been finishing strongly in his races without getting his head in front. He should go close in the 8.35 with George Baker on board.
At York Hawk Mountain looks to be suited by both trip and track and is my selection in the 3.25 and in the 4.35 I will go for the speedy recent Lingfield winner Lochstar.
Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.
ahorse 