Racing Chat - Saturday 8th March

[The Brigadier]

Ahead of next week's festivities at Cheltenham we have some competitive racing with ITV showing 7 races (just like the good old days with the ITV7 !).

Here's my thoughts and bets on the septet.

There's one race coming at you from Hereford, the 2.05 which has only attracted five runners. I've no strong thoughts on the race though the favourite Western General can be taken on now that he's up 10lb for his latest win on today's drying ground.

We have Four from Sandown with the opener a cracking renewal of the EBF Novices Handicap Hurdle at 1.50. A case can be made for plenty but I am quite keen on the Paul Nicholls runner BELLIANO. He looks well treated on his second to the New Lion at Chepstow in October and has done little wrong since in winning at Ascot and Market Rasen. Nicholls has previous in the race winning it twice including with McFabulous who was well backed. He should be backed each way with five places a must.

The 2.25 is the day's feature race in the Imperial Cup but it looks a wide open contest to me. No bets but I do think the top weight Lump Sun should run well.

The 3.00 is the listed mares bumper and for me gives us the nap bet with the Alan King trained CHARISMA CAT who was a tad unlucky last time out at Huntingdon when she flew on the run in to only go down by a neck. 2 3/4L back in third was the re-opposing Dream Shadow who looks held. According to King in his 'Weekender' preview the mare will appreciate the drying ground.

The 3.35 looks a tough enough handicap chase so no bets there.

Onto Wolverhampton and I fancy one in the opener at 2.45, the Lincoln Trial. Richard Hughes's WHIP CRACKER is nicely berthed in stall 2. One from one on a synthetic surface, he's lightly raced and has kept good company in his short seven race career and he's worth backing each way especially with four places.

The other race at the Midlands track is the listed 7F Lady Wulfrana Stakes in which the Roger Varian trained Jabaara could be the one to beat but again is a no bet race for me.

BELLIANO 1 point each way 9/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345

WHIP CRACKER 1 point each way 7/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234

1/2 point each way double

CHARISMA CAT 2 points win 9/4 William Hill

 

[WEIGHTWATCHER]

Evening all.

Going to put these two up now for tomorrow as happy enough with the prices and may even top up on either/both if they go bigger again:

(Imperial Cup)

Sandown 2.25 AFADIL @ 12/1 (bet365)

Sandown 2.25 WE'RE RED AND BLUE e/w @ 20/1 (hills/betfair/pp)  5 places

Probably post one or two more tomorrow as well.

CAN'T WAIT FOR TUESDAY !