Racing is on terrestrial TV again on Friday when ITV cover the Sandown meeting. They are showing four races on their broadcast and after a good couple of weeks at Newmarket and Lingfield prior to Easter, we have plenty of profit in the bank to tackle the card with. We’ve looked at the four live races below.
1.50 Sandown
Preview
The opener is a Class 2, 1 mile handicap for 3 year olds which means potential and scope for improvement has to play a part.
Clive Cox’s House Of Kings is one such type but the lack of a recent run, first time blinkers and the form of the stable tempers enthusiasm somewhat. Reggae Runner, meanwhile, is in theory 3lbs well in after a neck 2nd in the Royal Mile at Musselburgh last Saturday. It’s a slight concern that he took a keen hold that day and this stiffer track is not going to help on that front.
Betting
Despite the unexposed nature of the field, it’s hard to get away from the favourite at time of writing, Fox Leicester. He was seen 4 weeks ago when winning at very short odds on the all-weather. He did it as the market suggested he should winning by an eased down 3 lengths. He’s rated 81 for this which seems perfectly acceptable given he was 9 lengths in front of a 68 rated rival that day.
That run just underlined his fitness but of more note is his form from last season. Ignoring his debut run where everything went wrong (including hitting the rail), he’s since put in 2 runs full of promise. He finished 3rd, promoted to 2nd due to a disqualification, at Ascot on good to firm where he had Fox Power almost 2 lengths back in 5th. That rival won a Listed race last time out and is now rated 102.
He then ran 2nd on different ground, good to soft, at Redcar. Again, what’s impressive is that the 3rd that day, Barys, who was over 2 lengths behind, has since beaten Pizzicato, winner of the 3 year old on All Weather Championships day. Barys now races of a mark of 100.
With the selection certain to appreciate any ground, off what looks a very lenient mark of 81 and with fitness guaranteed, he should be very difficult to keep out of the shake up so a win bet, with a saver on the place looks the betting angle here.
Tips
Back Fox Leicester to win for a 1.5/10 stake at 4.50 Bet365 BOG
Back Fox Leicester to place for a 2/10 stake at 2.00 Bet365
2.25 Sandown
The 10 furlongs Gordon Richards Stakes sees the seasonal debut of high class Crystal Ocean who won this last year. You can try to pick holes in his chances such as he only scrambled home 12 months ago and may need the run but it’s better to focus on why he will win.
A winner of 4 of his last 7 starts, the only horses to beat him in that time have been 130-rated Cracksman, 126-rated Poets Word and 125-rated Enable. That’s pretty decent form, especially when you consider the rivals most likely to give him a race are 116-rated Knight To Behold and 118-rated Thundering Blue who is giving Crystal Ocean 3lbs.
At odds-on, he’s not a bet so the advice is to sit this one out.
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3.00 Sandown
Preview
6 runners go to post for this 10 furlong Classic Trial and it’s a tricky one to solve. Bangkok is the favourite, at a shade of odds again but is a winner of only 1 of his 4 starts, that a 10 furlong Doncaster maiden earning him a rating of 92.
4 of other 5 runners are trading around 5/1 or 6/1 with the Gosden pair Alfaatik and Travel On and Meade trained Technician having won his races last time out but having plenty to find on the figures, albeit it’s not impossible. Persian Moon is the other, a winner of 3 of his 7 starts and the one most likely to make the running.
Betting
However, Kuwait Currency, at a massive price, is the pick. Why you may ask? Well, he’s the highest rated in the field with a rating of 105. That is down to some solid 2 year old form where, having finished plumb last on his debut, he won 2 on the spin (a 6 length mauling of his rivals in a maiden before following up with a Listed win over a mile at Salisbury). He aimed too high on his last 2 starts when contesting the Group 1 Dewhurst and the Group 1 Futurity. That said, he didn’t disgrace himself when 8 lengths behind Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst.
His price is surely down to his no show in the European Free Handicap on his reappearance but given he improved markedly for his first run last season, it is hoped he might do the same this time around. At Newmarket 10 days ago, he looked really well but took a strong hold and was never lasting home. Better is clearly expected and with only 5 rivals to face, he looks worth an investment at a crazy price.
Tips
Back Kuwait Currency to win for a 0.5/10 stake at 23.00 Betfair BOG
Back it here:
Back Kuwait Currency to place for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 Bet365
3.35 Sandown
This mile contest, a Group 2 race featuring 8 runners, is a tough one. Firstly, if the rain doesn’t come, Addeyybb will probably be withdrawn reducing the field to 7.
Sharja Bridge won a Listed race on his reappearance and his form is the most solid but Beat the Bank is proven at this level, assuming he doesn’t need the run. Addeyybb would be tough to beat if soft is in the going description whilst Regal Reality may be the type to improve as a 4 year old.
There also appears to be a distinct lack of pace so it wouldn’t surprise me if the one who gives the most enterprising ride snatches this so it’s another no bet race to round off the day.
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