The whole of Saturday’s card at Sandown is sponsored by 32Red.com, so it’s gambling all the way for punters. It’s a six race card and with the heavy winds ripping through most of the country this past week, many will be watching the weather before heading off to the track and the winds could actually dry out the ground. Hopefully all will be fine and many can get stuck into the 2.35 race, which sees Judiciary entered to run. He ran a stinker on Thursday and couldn’t ever be fancied to take this against better horses , so he’s one to avoid if taking part. The one who appears to have a decent chance is Magnifique Etoile, and although the price will be on the short side, he’s won his last three races and should go close to making it four from his last four. Charlie Longsdon has his stable firing at the moment and so no reason why he shouldn’t run a very big race. Sandown being a right handed, galloping, testing track will ensure runners need to be at the top of their games. Channel 4 are broadcasting the last four races from Sandown, so along with Racing UK, punters are sorted. Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson and Donald McCain are all quietly confident of their charges running big races in the 3.10 race, so watch out for Be There In Five, Qhilimar, The Knoxs, Wymott, Master Of The Hall and Neptune Collonges – gun to head time and it would be Neptune Collonges each way for the sensible bettors. The ground is expected to be soft on Saturday, but don’t be surprised if the winds dry the ground out to be racing on the good side of soft. Anyhow, time will tell.
Sunday is quite interesting, with Hereford (jumps), Naas (jumps) and Southwell (flat) taking centre stage, as although it’s not high class racing, it’s still competitive and worth a look. Victor Chandler sponsor the first race on Hereford’s card (1.00), and with Nicky Henderson bringing out Charlie Wingnut again, plenty of punters will be jumping on him to recoup last time’s losses. He should go well, but a competitive little race and not one for big stakes. Horses will need to be very fit with the ground predicted to be heavy, so make sure the form is studied before hand, especially concerning acting of heavy ground. Again the winds could dry it out a little, but Hereford should remain heavy or very soft at best. The Tipper Road Handicap at Naas at 2.10 will be good to watch, as several have chances. Hard job to pick winners at Naas on Sunday, so good luck to anybody taking the plunge. Southwell, as always, will give the lesser lights of the flat world a spin, but again looking impossible to make a profit there, so maybe a trip to Ladbrokes, Corals, William Hill, etc, for a look at their special bets, such as winning distances and how favourites will perform.
