Today, we get an unexpected double helping thanks to the rearranged Welsh National meeting at Chepstow. Our expected selections come from the hotly anticipated Tolworth meeting at Sandown and we have a cheeky selection over in Ireland that the handicapper may have got all wrong.
13.50 Sandown 32Red Casino Handicap Chase
Overtown Express wasn’t giving Le Rocher the beating we anticipated when falling last time out at long odds on but usually goes better when held up. He has Rock On Rocky held on form and should have the beating of Pearl’s Legend. So, it goes down to a three way shoot out with him, Speredek and GINO TRAIL with the latter getting the nod on conditions despite carrying a chunk more weight.
13.55 Cork Geradine McCarthy Memorial Handicap Hurdle
Westerner Point is the obvious choice for this one carrying good form and has won over course and distance. Josies Orders will attract market attention out at 16/1 but does all winning over cross country circuits but hasn’t been doing that recently. So, it’s TOUT EST PERMIS who gets the nod in this one with a lowly weight of only 10 stone to carry and in form Rachael Blackmore backed to steer home at 11/2.
14.05 Chepstow Welsh Grand National
Any Grand National is impossible to “predict” with chances all over the place. We’ll start with Wild West Wind who beat the impressive Alife Spinner last time out and 8/1 looks a decent price. The same price for Mysteree who carries 4 lbs less but we haven’t seen his on a racecourse for the best part of a year. Chase The Spud is a horse to follow winning over varying grounds and distances but might be too high in the weights. Vintage Clouds is probably Sue Smith’s best horse in training and is a keen stayer but has never won over this far but you wouldn’t put it past this great horse. Beware The Bear is another hit with a high weight but carries terrific form beating Bishop’s Road last time out. A chance therefore is taken on VICENTE who despite top weight offers phenomenal value at 18/1, especially with Skybet offering 6 places on this market. He has won over further and always gives a great account of himself. The only danger here is the rain, in which case, Vintage Clouds will get the nod at 10/1.
14.25 Sandown 32Red Tolworth Novices Hurdle
In truth, this doesn’t scream excitement compared to previous winners of Finian’s Oscar, L’ami Serge and Yorkhill. Sussex Ranger is probably better suited in the race he is entered in at Chepstow but What A Dream looks to already have that won. He carries good form but hasn’t beat much so far. WESTERN RYDER should be the pick on form and with the champion jockey on board but the interest is with Mont Des Avaloirs who is a curious horse and could be backed into anything. His form reads well and looks a good type but Paul Nicholl’s chief jockeys have chosen rides elsewhere.
15.00 Sandown Veterans’ Handicap Chase
Keep an eye on this market throughout the day because as soon as GAS LINE BOY drifts out to 5/1, there will be wheelbarrows queuing up outside the bookies. In a veteran race, he should have the staying power to see off all the competition if replicating his last win at Aintree. Fox Appeal is a danger back on a winning mark. You never know which Cloudy Too is going to show up and it would be just like Double Ross to show up for the first time in a while. Houblon Des Obeaux was never in it last time out at Sandown but Pete The Feat always offers each way value.
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