One more Saturday of racing remains before the Cheltenham Festival gets underway. It presents punters with one more chance to fill their betting boots.
Matty Sutcliffe has three tips for you for the weekend. All of them race at Sandown.
Sandown Racing Tips (Saturday 7 March)
Sandown’s final meeting before the Cheltenham Festival includes the historic Imperial Cup. Matty has a selection in that race and two others.
1:50 Sandown – European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Hcap) (GBB) (Class 1) (4-7yo) – Unknown Entity 5/1 1pt WIN
The Dan Skelton trained Unknown Entity remains a Maiden in his six career starts but a mark of 120 looks workable and will’ve been trained for this race by a yard who’ve mastered the art of pot hunting.
He was second to That’s Nice in his sole point-to-point, a winner for Nicky Henderson, with the pair pulling clear of leading British Champion Bumper hope Bass Hunter. He was behind some smart types on yard debut for Willie Mullins last season, before finishing 12 lengths behind the now 140 rated Koktail Brut.
Switched to Dan Skelton this season, he caught the eye in rear in a Qualifier for this contest at Ludlow, staying on late behind the pair who raced first and second throughout, with the winner beaten three lengths by Old Park Star previously.
He was then beaten a head by 2/9F Gaelic Pride at Wincanton when again coming from rear to make smart headway down the outer, but failing to reel in the long time leader. He was held together for a while in that deep ground, but it was a smart performance to split two prominent racers and he should be suited to the way this race will pan out.
2:27 Sandown – Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Rubber Ball 10/1 1pt EW 6 places
County Hurdle entry Rubber Ball has a live chance to land the Imperial Cup/Cheltenham double winning bonus provided he can back up his latest success at Newbury last time out.
The son of Yorgunnabelucky had form figures of 047P at this start of the season latterly pulling up over three miles at Wincanton, but he landed something of a gamble when dropped to two miles at Newbury last weekend to win in good style.
He made all under Jack Quinlan travelling strongly throughout, finding plenty for pressure when joined by Melon two out. His stamina kicked into play as he shot up the straight, pulling 18 lengths clear of the third.
Rubber Ball was raised 8lbs by the handicapper for that facile success, though he could still have more to offer back down at this trip. He beat Tutti Quanti a length last February, and that one is now rated 151, 31lbs higher than Rubber Ball, and may line up in a Champion Hurdle next week.
Neil King is in excellent form with figures reading 17111151, and Rubber Ball can continue that strong form.
3:35 Sandown – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-135) – Certainly Red 20/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
This doesn’t look an overly strong renewal of this Class 3 staying chase despite three last time out winners topping the market, all of which have some negatives around them.
As a result, it may pay to chance the veteran Certainly Red despite returning from a 455 day layoff and contending with top-weight. Certainly Red brings some smart course form with his figures here reading 173241P. The two races he was out of the frame in were both in the Bet365 Gold Cup and latterly when pulling up in the Masters Handicap, so we can presume he picked up a know there having not seen him since.
His penultimate run saw him win over C&D to beat the resurgent Copperhead, who later won the veteran’s series final at Market Rasen.
I would’ve preferred him to have had a run prior to this, but he’s won from a 229 day layoff before and given five of his seven wins have come when carrying 11-11 or 12-0, I’m not concerned about the burden of top-weight. He requires some faith to be back cherry ripe here, but I wouldn’t have expected them to have left any stone unturned to bring him back at the age of 12 at a course he generally shines around.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:50 Sandown – European Breeders’ Fund Betfair “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Hcap) (GBB) (Class 1) (4-7yo) – Unknown Entity 5/1 1pt WIN
2:27 Sandown – Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Rubber Ball 10/1 1pt EW 6 places
3:35 Sandown – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-135) – Certainly Red 20/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
Unknown Entity
Certainly RedFAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Sandown on Saturday 7 March.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Saturday horse racing tips were published at 4.17pm on Thursday 5 March.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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