The Brigadier Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 The lull before the storm as they say. Sandown take centre stage on Saturday with the Cheltenham Festival only three days away. The two big handicaps at the Esher track are likely to be run on the slow side of good to soft with the official going on the hurdles track being good to soft (good in places) with showers forecast, though the time on Friday of the opener was slow and they appeared to be struggling to get home so it may well be riding quite slow and dead. The first of the two big handicap hurdles is the EBF Novices Handicap Hurdle. A grade 3 contest run over 2m 4f run at Sandown at 1.50. A wide open contest with bookmakers going 6/1 the field. Fergal O’Brien saddles his Karl Philippe who has yet to finish out of the first two in five career starts. He bolted up at Exeter last time and will appreciate the extra furlong and a half here. He’s yet to race on anything bar soft/heavy ground although on breeding (his sire is an American bred) drier ground shouldn’t be an issue. Closely tied in with Karl Philippe is David Pipe’s top weight Martinhal, who beat Karl Philippe half a length at Exeter in January but is 3lb worse off here. Sam Barton, is trained by Emma Lavelle, and represents Trevor Hemmings rather than recent winner Wetlands. He won well at Doncaster 43 days ago although all his runs have been on soft/heavy ground. Gladiateur Allen has already been beaten off of his mark of 131 and looks readily opposable against others who maybe ahead of their mark. Colin Tizzard has his Somerset team in much better form now than earlier in the season and his Striking A Pose is on a hat trick following victories at Wincanton and Exeter. He’s a possible in a wide open contest. Nicky Henderson saddles Pactrolus and Captain Morgs, both are making their handicap debut and it’s interesting that Nico De Boinville who’s ridden the latter on all four of his starts appears to have chosen Patroclus and he’s the preferred of the pair. He’s done little wrong in three starts under rules and the trip and uphill finish look ideal for him. He’s on my shortlist. The Mick Preston has already run in a handicap when winning at Hereford off of 120. He’s up 6lb here and is stepping up half a mile which should suit and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 5 year old looks to have claims. Twiston Davies has a second string to his bow with Beauport who will need to step up from his recent Fontwell form to take a hand in the finish here. Ian Williams has his stable in flying form currently, winning with 9 of his last 32 runners , and runs Sometimes Always here who’s on a four timer having won a handicap hurdle, novice hurdle and a ‘bumper for jumpers’. Trip and ground should suit and Charlie Todd who’s ridden him on his last three starts is in the saddle once more in an attempt to win his biggest prize in his short career. Paul Nicholls can never be discounted in the big Saturday races and his runner here is Jeremy Pass, who finished 1 1/4L behind Patroclus last time at Doncaster and can re-oppose on 1lb better terms. Splitting Patroclus and Jeremy Pass that day was the Noel Fehily Racing Club’s Riggs, trained by the in form Dan Skelton. He too is 1lb better off with the former and on that Doncaster piece of form there shouldn’t be much between all three. Press Your Luck has run poorly on his last two outings and it will be a surprise if there’s nothing more progressive to beat him. Chris Honour’s Tile Tapper has bumped into Supreme Novice Hurdle hope Metier on his first two starts over timber but was a bit disappointing when failing to land the odds laid on him at Taunton last time. Ocean Drifter arrives on a hat trick following victories at Fontwell and Southwell when making all so expect him to be forcing the pace here. This is however a step up in grade for him. The double green of Messr’s Souede and Munir are carried by Tizzard’s second string Road Senam here but he was 20L behind Sam Barton last time and only 7lb better off. He looks poorly handicapped. Sheldon is an interesting runner, trained in Wiltshire by Seamus Mullins, he followed up his Fakenham win by chasing Karl Philippe home to the tune of 10L at Exeter giving him 6lb. He receives 8lb here so is effectively a stone better off for those 10L. He appeals as each way value at around 20/1. Gary Moore’s maiden Dorking Lad, ridden by son Jamie, was in the lead when the race was voided at Plumpton last time and although he’s yet to get his head in front in six starts has some half decent form and is at the right end of the handicap. Summary:- A wide open renewal with the two that I like here Patroclus and Karl Philippe with the best outsider Sheldon. At 2.25 at Sandown it’s the Paddy Power Imperial Cup which is run over just short of 2 miles and has attracted a turnout of 15. Natural History has been favourite all week and has been trained for this race by his shrewd trainer Gary Moore. An emphatic winner at Plumpton off of a gimme handicap mark of 116 by an easy 15L, he has been raised a hefty looking 16lb but may still be ahead of the handicapper. He goes on any ground and looks the one they all have to beat here. Langer Dan has been the other springer this week. He was a real eye catcher last time ( his first since wind surgery) and represents the in form Skelton’s. He’s 5lb lower than when 6th in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap hurdle at Cheltenham a year ago and should run his race today. Paul Nicholls can never be discounted on these big Saturday (or any day come to that!) races and saddles three here in 2019 winner Malaya, Diego Du Charmil and top weight Miranda. The latter impressed when winning at Doncaster last time and wisely Nicholls is claiming off of her with his useful conditional Angus Cheleda, for whom this will be his biggest ever win. He was in the saddle when winning at Ludlow in December so knows the horse well enough. Malaya won this off of 136 in 2019 and can now race off of two pound lower so if she turns up in top form is not out of this. Stable jockey Harry Cobden is on Diego Du Charmil who’s been keeping top company since returning to timber following a bout of chasing. Bottom weight Hasanabad hails from the very much in form Ian Williams stable but wouldn’t want any showers as he’s very much a good ground horse and looking at Friday’s racing it may well have gone for him. David Pipe is in decent enough form with a couple of winners over the last couple of days and saddles two here in Eamon An Cnoic and Leoncavallo. Preference would be for the Tom Scudamore ridden latter who hasn’t been seen since finishing 6th in the Cesarewitch on the flat back in October of 2020. His mark of 142 looks high enough to be honest here and he’s over looked whilst Eamon An Cnoic is 9lb higher than when beaten last time so it’s hard also to say he’s got anything in hand. Mack The Man is held in high regard by his trainer Evan Williams but wasn’t never seen with a chance in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time out and is overlooked today. Hang In There is steadily dropping down the handicap having started the season on 141 he races off of 131 here but didn’t jump well last time at Kempton over Christmas and will need to improve his hurdling to feature although there’s no disputing he’s well treated. The springer this afternoon has been the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained One True King who ran a good third to smart sorts Midnight River and Gallyhill at Ascot last time. He may not have stayed 2m 5f previously and the drop in trip here looks sure to suit. Fransham has been plying his trade predominantly up north in handicap hurdles and although in good enough form will race here off of his highest ever handicap mark of 142. Highway One O Two had Hasanabad behind when runner up at to an easy winner at Newbury last time out and has place claims for trainer Chris Gordon. Mick Maestro was beaten off his highest ever mark of 135 last time (Langer Dan an eye catching run just behind) and looks to be handicapped out of this. Lucy Wadham’s Miss Heritage was runner up in that handicap hurdle at Market Rasen with Mick Maestro and Langer Dan behind and will need to improve again to feature here. Summary:- Favourite Natural History could be well handicapped still despite his 16lb rise and is the one to beat. Bet 2 x 1 point EW doubles Karl Philipee @ 11/2 / Patroclus @ 10/1 1/5th 12345 Natural History @ 10/3 1/5th 123456 William Hills The Equaliser, Wanderlust, Wildgarden and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedthewolf Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Imperial Cup Last big Handicap before Cheltenham i strongly fancy Paul Nicholls to take this his horses are in great form as they have been all season he won this in 2019 with MALAYA 12/1 Byrony on board this time caries 2lb less this time round cracking e/w shot imo. Harry Cobden dumps Malaya in favour of DIEGO DU CHARMIL 16/1 and i just think the trainer has got this horse on a very good handicap again both are very strong e/w bets for me esp when you can get up to 6 places. Trainer also runs Miranda which i don't fancy but will probably hack up now! Good Luck All The Brigadier, black rabbit, Wildgarden and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger2256 Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) March -1 1pt level stakes win only 13.30 Wol Elkazaam 7/1 b365 15.35 San Up the Straight 8/1 b365 15.42 Ayr Ebony Jewel 7/1 WH 16.45 San Fuji Flight 14/1 Cor 17.45 Her Wax and Wane 22/1 WH . NR . Edited March 13, 2021 by roger2256 Addition The Brigadier, Wildgarden, The Equaliser and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alley Cat Glover Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 15 hours ago, Tedthewolf said: Trainer also runs Miranda which i don't fancy but will probably hack up now! Hopefully as I have 1/3000th of her. Difficult race to predict. Miranda has run once previously at Sandown finishing 8/8 put was her seasonal reappearance and a race that was a bit one sided. Angus takes off a valuable 7lb and has ridden her twice, a win at Ludlow and 4th at Mussleborough, although another 100yds she probably would have won. Great race last out at Doncaster and been well rested since. So can she compete in this giving weight to several possible ‘handicap blots’. I guess it depends if she can still be close enough coming up the hill, there are several front runners and the money is down for @richard-Westwood selections Posted Monday at 04:51 PM Imperial cup saturday Natural history 9.5 9/2 7/2 no value One true king 8.4 8/1 16/1 good value Rockadenn 8.2 9/1 8/1 no value So ground has gone a bit softer which might go against Natural History with the flat speed, hopefully a strong pace and Miranda comes up the outside to win by a neck! PS don’t follow if you don’t want to lose your money, been trying to make a case for her but will be a big ask, anyway Paddy power are 14/1 5 places and I believe still best odds guaranteed, Hills are paying 6 places. So E/W money down and hope Richard is wrong! ? richard-westwood, black rabbit, The Equaliser and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedthewolf Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) 17 hours ago, Tedthewolf said: Imperial Cup Last big Handicap before Cheltenham i strongly fancy Paul Nicholls to take this his horses are in great form as they have been all season he won this in 2019 with MALAYA 12/1 Byrony on board this time caries 2lb less this time round cracking e/w shot imo. Harry Cobden dumps Malaya in favour of DIEGO DU CHARMIL 16/1 and i just think the trainer has got this horse on a very good handicap again both are very strong e/w bets for me esp when you can get up to 6 places. Trainer also runs Miranda which i don't fancy but will probably hack up now! Good Luck All Diego du charmil is a NR ( looks like going for Pipe hurdle at Cheltenham instead i'm on e/w 25/1)so i'll take the David Pipe 2nd string e/w EAMON AN CNOIC 18/1 4places Edited March 13, 2021 by Tedthewolf The Equaliser and black rabbit 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bathtime For Rupert Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 All prices Bet365: 11.45 Wolverhampton - 1pt win Invincibly @ 7/1 12.20 Wolverhampton - 1pt win Lorna Cole @ 7/1 12.55 Wolverhampton - 1pt e/w Poetic Force @ 9/1 1.50 Sandown - 1pt e/w Tile Tapper @ 16/1 2.25 Sandown - 2pts win Langer Dan @ 5/1 2.40 Wolverhampton - 1pt e/w Al Muffrih @ 20/1 3.35 Sandown - 1pt win Up The Straight @ 13/2 The Equaliser, black rabbit and Wildgarden 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancraik Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 todays top rated selections WOLVERHAMPTON 14:05 Highland Dress 4/1 win WOLVERHAMPTON 14:40 Oh This Is Us 14/1 e/w 4 Places (nb Born To Be Alive 8/1) WOLVERHAMPTON 15:15 Streamline 5/2 win Wildgarden, The Equaliser and black rabbit 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alancraik Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 todays database selections 3.50 Wolverhampton 7 Kangaroo Point (IRE) Kingscote, Richard Williams, Ian 6/4 ?? 7.20 Chelmsford City 4 Nigel Nott Rawlinson, Ali Appleby, M 9/2 ?? black rabbit and The Equaliser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Equaliser Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 3.45 San Go steady £3.20 win at 4.7 & Golden Whiskey £2.40 win at 6.6 = £9.25 & £10.04 profit if either win. Obviously Five Star Getaway is favourite and has to be feared. It has an 11lbs rise in the weights and soft going may be against it. I had a brief look at the big races at Sandown but even dutching two against the field looks hazardous. In fact I think I should have looked at races with less glitter today because all the trainers in the top races have an eye to winning for their owners which makes striking a winning bet much more difficult. A busy day for me today but I am still hoping to get back and have a look at a few more races black rabbit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannotbebeat Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) 12.20 Wolverhampton Steel River 5/2 - Lost 1.15 Sandown Volkovka 100/30 - Lost 3.20 Navan Velvet Elvis 5/2 - Lost 3.55 Navan Castlegrace Paddy 6/4 - Lost 4.37 Hereford Maskada 5/4 - Lost 4.55 Ayr Ardera Cross 7/4 - Won 11/8 Singles & doubles Good luck all CNBB. What a sad display of tipping that was. Edited March 13, 2021 by cannotbebeat black rabbit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alley Cat Glover Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Looks like Pipe’s runners have not got to the track due to a road accident, non runners now, Imperial cup now down to only 9 runners currently from the 15 originally declared. black rabbit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedthewolf Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Alley Cat Glover said: Looks like Pipe’s runners have not got to the track due to a road accident, non runners now, Imperial cup now down to only 9 runners currently from the 15 originally declared. Such a pity the race has cut up so bad on on a plus side some bookies still paying 4 places in a 9 runner race! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedthewolf Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 Been looking at the Lincoln trail at wolves @ 2.40 and i think former winner ZWAYYAN is worth an e/w play at 12/1 5places with skybet nice weight and 7lb claimer on top should get a place at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannotbebeat Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) Chelmsford 7.50 Storm Melody 7/4 - Lost 8.20 London Eye 15/4 - Won 4/1 Singles & doubles sure what could go wrong. Good luck all CNBB. Edited March 13, 2021 by cannotbebeat The Equaliser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Equaliser Posted March 13, 2021 Share Posted March 13, 2021 9 hours ago, The Equaliser said: 3.45 San Go steady £3.20 win at 4.7 & Golden Whiskey £2.40 win at 6.6 = £9.25 & £10.04 profit if either win. Obviously Five Star Getaway is favourite and has to be feared. It has an 11lbs rise in the weights and soft going may be against it. I had a brief look at the big races at Sandown but even dutching two against the field looks hazardous. In fact I think I should have looked at races with less glitter today because all the trainers in the top races have an eye to winning for their owners which makes striking a winning bet much more difficult. A busy day for me today but I am still hoping to get back and have a look at a few more races RESULTS UPDATE Well done to Five Star Getaway for overcoming an 11lb rise and winning well. I am pretty upbeat about dutching two/three horses in the right races from now on. This set back meant that I lost £5.60 on the day. My new balance is £593.56 (Bank £500) Hopefully will find time for some selections at Warwick and Lingfield tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bathtime For Rupert Posted March 14, 2021 Share Posted March 14, 2021 On 3/13/2021 at 9:52 AM, Bathtime For Rupert said: All prices Bet365: 11.45 Wolverhampton - 1pt win Invincibly @ 7/1 12.20 Wolverhampton - 1pt win Lorna Cole @ 7/1 12.55 Wolverhampton - 1pt e/w Poetic Force @ 9/1 1.50 Sandown - 1pt e/w Tile Tapper @ 16/1 2.25 Sandown - 2pts win Langer Dan @ 5/1 2.40 Wolverhampton - 1pt e/w Al Muffrih @ 20/1 3.35 Sandown - 1pt win Up The Straight @ 13/2 Solid enough but what price was Up The Straight after jumping the last...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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