ITV Racing’s cameras get to work a day earlier than the weekend, as Friday’s cards at Sandown and Perth will both have races available on terrestrial TV. We have picked out our selections in every race below.
1.15 Sandown
A competitive sprint handicap at Sandown opens the coverage on ITV. Tan Rapido is interesting at the bottom of the weights with the benefit of a run, but MIAHARRIS has a win over course and distance to her name already and may well prove better than handicap company over the minimum trip. She won on her first two starts, including at Listed level at Newbury before finding 6f beyond her at Salisbury (she had beaten the winner that day at Newbury). She was then fifth in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket when she could have finished closer, while the ground and her taking win on debut giving hope she will reappear in fine fettle here.
1.30 Perth
A former Grade 1 favourite runs in this race at Perth, although Jason The Militant is quite firmly on the downgrade nowadays. He has passed the “class act” baton in this field to LIVELY CITIZEN, who has been a feature in decent handicaps off low weights for the last few seasons, and finds himself off top-weight in this 0-120 contest here.
He has gone off the boil between October and January for the last two seasons before coming good again towards the end. He won over fences at this venue last May, while he has found his best stride recently once again, winning at Ffos Las and finishing narrowly beaten at Aintree in a muddling race. His mark is unchanged for this less competitive race and it is a matter of time before his 10lb claimer Cian Chester gets off the mark with his 10lb benefit (second or third on nine of his 18 rides so far).
1.50 Sandown
Hand Of God was very impressive on his last start at two, and if that improvement is maintained, he will be a formidable opponent here. That said, his pedigree suggests he will probably improve for a little further and against him, ROCKING TREE has found things clicking.
Both of his wins have been on an all-weather surface, but his best effort when trained by Ger Lyons in Ireland came on a yielding surface, which will not be too dissimilar to what he will meet at Sandown on Friday. His recent victories at Wolverhampton have been clinched from the front with something in hand, even though he has hung both left and right, so the addition of cheekpieces should only help. He can take the step up in class in his stride.
2.05 Perth
The form of the North Wales National was boosted when runner-up Duke Of Deception won easily next time out, but he has to contend with a 10lb swing here against Lucinda Russell’s HAUTE ESTIME, who is yet to run since. There were just three lengths between them at Bangor, and the selection looks a more thorough stayer, which will be needed over Perth’s 3m6½f on soft ground. She retains untapped potential for these distances too and may yet take higher rank in marathon chases.
2.25 Sandown
The first of Sandown’s Group races on Thursday is the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes for the older horses over 1m2f. The protagonist is difficult to determine, though with both Desert Hero and Israr at their best over further and Flying Honours difficult to get a gauge on after effectively missing the whole of last season, OKEECHOBEE is preferred.
Harry Charlton’s five-year-old did indeed miss last term through injury, but has made his return this season already, finishing second to former Group 1 winner Dubai Honour at Kempton. That all-weather form is stronger than most for the surface and suggests he retains much of the ability he was displaying before his enforced absence. That pipe opener should have him right for this and it is worth chancing him against the bounce factor.
3.00 Sandown
Multiple Group 1 winner Lord North drops in trip to 1m for the first time since 2019 here, but he is fully in the veteran stage of his career now. Nostrum is on the other end of the spectrum and though we may be yet to see the best of him, the proven form belongs to CHARYN. With likely dangers Flight Plan and Poker Face carrying 3lb penalties, the selection gets the vote in avoidance of that.
The son of Dark Angel won very takingly on his return at Doncaster, and though that was on soft, he has winning form on better surfaces, while he was placed in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes on good ground last season as well. His reappearance suggests he may make an even better older horse and looks the percentage call here.
3.35 Sandown
The big Classic Trial on the card by both name and nature. Given what Deira Mile has achieved since runner-up to Prince Rasam, it will be interesting to see how his conqueror gets on here at a big price, though unexposed types like himself, War Rooms and Matsuri may still have to go some to beat ARABIAN CROWN.
He improved throughout the season, winning at Listed and Group 3 level, the latter in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket. The third of four that day, Dallas Star, returned by winning the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown at 50/1, so the form has more substance than most small-field affairs would. Arabian Crown’s full brother was at his best over 7f, so while the Zetland is usually a harbinger of stamina, he should still be adept and quick enough to win this en route to the Derby.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Punts – Tips for the Final Day of the Jumps Season
The National Hunt season draws to a close at Sandown on Saturday. Keen to make the value count for one more time over jumps, Matty Sutcliffe has four selections for the day. Published: 1.45pm Wednesday, 24th April (Odds correct at time of publishing) 1:50 Sandown – bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class…
Wed 24 Apr 2024
