Today is a bit of an anomalie, especially at Sandown, where fast ground usually runs the show for this meeting. But with the recent bad weather, no suprise a Welsh National favourite heads the betting!
The Channel 4 coverage kicks off with the Sandown 2.00: This is a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle over nearly 2 and a half miles. Cedre Bleu is a very interesting runner, back over hurdles after a stop start chasing career, but with bags of promise, personally wouldn't suprise me if he went off favourite. I also like The Pier, who I really fancied last time, but raced too free, looked like winning at the last but used to much energy early on, if he can settle, he'd be very dangerous. But the selection is Headly's Bridge, who I have followed all season, won his handicap debut at Towcester two starts back, and didn't get first run last time at Chepstow, running on well, and looks overpriced to me off bottom weight on bad ground.
Then we head to Yorkshire to the undulations of Ripon at 2.20: The Osteopath is a good starting point, with lots of form on bad ground, but the concern being a lack of Ripon experience. Silvery Moon catches the eye, usually needing a run and from an in-form yard. But I will nervously go for Dubai Dynamo. You will know your fate early depending on how he travels, but likes Ripon and bad ground and looks solid each way.
Back for the Celebration Chase at Sandown at 2.35: If Wishfull Thinking enjoys himself, which is questionable, he will be very dangerous. Sanctuaire is a complete unknown at this level over fences but has loads of ability if taking to this test. But I feel the safest option is French Opera, who won this last year and is very reliable on any ground, and pretty good right handed.
Now the Bet365 Gold Cup (Sandown 3.10): Any Currency is an enigma in every sense of the word, but has an eye-shield on the first time and runs well at Sandown. Roalco Des Farges jumped really well at Chepstow last time but he seems to be better left handed. So I'll chance at Tidal Bay, who is a monkey, but I think he will stay and feel he will like the track more than Le Beau Bai and West End Rocker.
Back to Ripon at 3.30: I think Montaff will run well despite his off-putting form figures, off same mark and conditions as last year's win in the race. But for me this evolves around Gulf Of Naples, a strong and progressive stayer from an in form yard and will be very hard to pass.
On the Flat at 3.45 Sandown to finish proceedings, I want to be against Twice Over, who had a very hard race at Newmarket. Columbian has form on soft ground so will be involved. But, I really fancy Poet, who loves bad ground and Ryan Moore for Clive Cox just confirms suspicions he is highly fancied.
Good Luck
SELECTIONS: Headly's Bridge 1pt E/W (2.00 Sandown)
Dubai Dynamo 1pt E/W (2.20 Ripon)
French Opera 3pts E/W (2.35 Sandown)
Tidal Bay 1pt WIN (3.10 Sandown)
Gulf Of Naples 5pts WIN (3.30 Ripon)
Poet 3pts WIN (3.45 Sandown)
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