2m4f (2m3f173y) Elmbridge Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-130)
I’m backing CROSSGALESFAMEGAME on his handicap debut. There’s plenty of exposed opponents in opposition and his initial mark of 125 is a bit of a guess from the handicapper. Interestingly, he won well last time out on heavy ground but had been withdrawn on account of soft ground last season, having previously been kept to a sound surface. If he does want it soft it might have suppressed his best form and he looks the one to be on. It’s difficult to weigh up the value of 9/2, but he really jumps out as the obvious bet.
1pt win Crossgalesfamegame @9/2, 12:50 Sandown, Saturday
2m (1m7f216y) Jumeirah Hotels And Resorts December Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+ 0-150)
ASHUTOR travelled like the best horse last time out and a jumping error probably cost him that race. His form last season was put down to a breathing issue by connections so they’ve since had that fixed, and I put him in my tracker after reading Paul Nicholls thought he could have any amount of improvement in him this year. With a 7lb claimer on board he’s got a feather weight, which will massively help on soft ground, and I’ll take a warm 7/1 that he’s handicapped to go very close in this. Rather than go each-way, I’m going to split my aces and back the top-weight SONG FOR SOMEONE too. I backed him twice last season because he looked progressive and jumped really well, but it didn’t happen for him at Aintree in Grade 1 company in April when taken out of his comfort zone by Fakir D’Oudairies. He was withdrawn when due to run at Kempton prior to that and may have been struggling with something – maybe suppressing his form. He bolted up first time out this season to support that theory and earned himself an 11lb hike in the weights. That’s a lot to overcome but he’s a very appealing 10/1 if at least running to form, and he should be improving still.
1pt win Ashutor @7/1, 14:25 Sandown, Saturday
1pt win Song For Someone @10/1, 14:25 Sandown, Saturday
1m7½f (1m7f119y) Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Two of my favourite chasers in training, Defi Du Seuil and SCEAU ROYAL face off against Un De Sceaux, Politologue and Waiting Patiently in a really good Tingle Creek. If Defi Du Seuil has one weakness – given he’s very fast and stays really well – it’s his jumping, which is a little scrappy at times as he’s only a small horse. Sandown is a jumping track I don’t think two miles is really his A game, so the door might be ajar for a slick jumping two-mile specialist like Sceau Royal. He’s a course and distance Grade 1 winner who got very close to Altior twice last season and is still only seven, so this might be his big year. It’s not a strong fancy as this is such a deep race, but 15/2 seems on the big side.
1pt win Sceau Royal @15/2, 15:00 Sandown, Saturday