From the 6 horses featured in yesterday’s preview we had 3 winners, a second, and 2 thirds, so not a bad haul. Great Approach was the best price at 8/1 while both Sir Boreus Hawk and Don’t Push It won with some authority.
Sandown is the main meeting tomorrow and the big race features the clash between Detroit City and Straw Bear in the AGFA Hurdle at 2.10. Detroit City has won his last 7 races and his form is very hard to fault. Straw Bear may not have been right when disappointing last time at Kempton and hopefully he will be back to his best here to make it a good contest. Detroit City is very hard to oppose though in what is not really a viable betting heat. The drying conditions will suit Arcalis who could spring a surprise if right back to his best. Detroit City would have to be the selection though.
My best bet of the day is New Little Bric in the 2.40 at Sandown, the Scilly Isles novice chase. Paul Nicholls won the race last season and New Little Bric has the credentials to give his trainer another success tomorrow. New Little Bric won twice over hurdles at Pau before coming to the UK and he has already scored twice over fences here. His only defeat was when 3rd behind Fair Along and My Way de Solzen and that represents very solid form.
The other runner from our list to follow in this race is Aztec Warrior, whose trainer Henrietta Knight has won this race twice in recent years, once with the great Best Mate. Aztec Warrior has been improving this season. His most recent success came at Wincanton last month where his task was made easier when his main rival fell 3 out. Although this race has only attracted 4 runners they all have a chance. Pretty Star of Alan King’s, in particular could pose a threat. He is developing into a smart staying novice and was a good winner at Newbury at the end of December.
The Sandown 1.35 looks an open arce. There are 3 runners from our list to follow in this so I will start by looking at them. Andreas has been a bit frustrating this season. He has finished 3rd in both his races, both at Ascot, but didn’t seem to go through with his challenge either time. He should have conditions to suit and is sure to run well. The more the ground dries out, the better his chance. Madison Du Berlais is in fine form having won his last 2 starts. He has gone up in the weights as a result though and this is a tougher race than either of those he won.
Dempsey has been let down by his jumping this season and has failed to complete in two of his three starts. He seems to like Sandown though and if putting in a clear round would be an obvious danger. Of the rest Chilling Place is probably the main danger to the 3 I have mentioned. This is a difficult one to call. Dempsey comes from an in form yard and his course form is impressive. At around 8/1 he could represent a value bet.
Our only runner in the handicap hurdle at 3.15 is Taranis who is also the likely favourite. He is on what looks a decent mark compared to his chase rating and has obvious claims. I think he will be in the firing line but at 7/2 he looks a bit short.
There are a number of horses in this race that I have a bit of a soft spot for, not least Lord Sam. I followed this horse almost from the start of his career. He won 9 of his first 10 starts and the only defeat was when 3rd to Hardy Eustace! He rather lost his way for a while but bounced back to form last time out with a gutsy win at Wincanton. He is 11 now, but goes well for his 5 lbs claimer and has won twice at Sandown before. Material World only has one eye but this mare is as game as they come. She has only twice been out of the first 3 in her 15 race career and is another for the short list. Verasi won a valuable handicap hurdle at Kempton on his last outing. He has only gone up 5 lbs for that but the ground was heavy that day and he may not be as effective on a drier surface. Accordello has won twice this season and runs off a low weight here, albeit 4 lbs out of the handicap. She is another with a good chance. Taranis will be hard to beat but I will go for Material World each way.
Blue Splash has already done a good job for our list to follow with a couple of wins. He could add to that tally in the Wetherby 3.30. He looked a potentially smart staying chaser when winning at Exeter last time. There are plenty of dangers, notably Royal Rosa and Hoh Viss.
The hunter chase at 4.05 looks difficult to solve. Bica was twice a winner at Auteil and is an obvious candidate. The drying ground could go against him though. At his best Jurancon ll was a fair staying chaser and won valuable handicaps at Uttoxeter and Haydock. DJ Flippance is trained by Gordy Edwards in Shropshire and goes best on soft ground. Kate Walton trains Wildfell Rufo (picture below). He has won 3 times at Wetherby. He is my selection.
Man of the Moment is an interesting newcomer in the 1.30 at Stratford. He is a half brother to the useful chaser Darkness.
Good Spirit was the subject of some very favourable reports at the start of the season but things didn’t go according to plan. He has been given a break and will be expected to do better in the 2.35.
Ingratitude showed enough on his hurdles debut at Newbury to suggest he can win the 3.10 at Stratford.
Prince of Slane has not been able to reproduce his fine form of last season this time around. He runs in the 4.15. The ground is important to him as he does not like it soft.
I will be back tomorrow with a preview of Sunday’s racing. Be lucky.
ahorse 