With the Cheltenham Festival and the start of the Flat season just around the corner this weekend tends to be one of the quieter ones in the schedule, though with betting banks to boost before Tuesday we go in with some cracking value bets on Saturday.
There’s a Listed contest on the all-weather at Wolverhampton but the best action is over the jumps at Sandown where we have a good shout of a win in the Imperial Cup.
Embed from Getty Images1.50 Sandown – THE DUBAI WAY
Despite being unbeaten in his four rules races to date, The Dubai Way may as yet have been underestimated and he looks a fair price to take another step forward to win this valuable Grade 3. His wins at Hexham and Sedgefield can be upgraded as they were better than the bare form suggests while he stayed on nicely to win over what is now seen as an inadequate 2m1f at Warwick last time.
Notre Ami and Sam’s Gunner are both cracking value and both hold solid each-way chances at around the 20/1 mark, the former having won easily in a small race here on heavy ground last time and the latter improving slowly but steadily and being sure to appreciate the return to a longer trip (2m4f).
2.25 Sandown (Imperial Cup) – CALL ME LORD
Nicky Henderson’s 5yo Call Me Lord can still improve and as a course and distance handicap winner knows his way around. A fair third in Grade 2 company last time out further emphasised his quality and despite his tender years he’s one of the more hardened competitors in the field.
Likely favourite Whatswrongwithu holds chances for the same yard having won very easily in a novice race at Newbury last time out but it’s hard to know how well handicapped he is while Silver Streak is a fair price to carry on his improvement having unseated at Newbury last time out.
3.00 Sandown – QUEENS CAVE
David Pipe’s 5yo mare won just as expected on her rules debut and for me that put her up at the level of those in this contest who’ve run two or three times already, so with natural improvement to take into consideration she looks great value at around 5/1 overnight to win this.
Likely favourite Queenohearts could be the main danger after her easy December win at Towcester while Urca De Lima can’t be discounted despite a year off the track since a debut win at Uttoxeter.
3.15 Wolverhampton – SECOND THOUGHT
The likely favourite may well be a short price but he doesn’t have many chinks in terms of the surface, the distance or racing when fresh so really should be too good here. Ryan Moore riding for William Haggas means we can’t expect much in the way of value but the 4yo should be a safe bet in the Listed Wulfruna Stakes.
The now gelded Masham Star may be the main danger at a nice price while Salateen should improve no end now that he’s back from Dubai and those three should be filling the places.
3.35 Sandown – TANIT RIVER
Tim Vaughan’s eight-year-old won very nicely over course and distance last time out and he’s not stopped yet. Alan Johns’ mount arguably ran to a higher level than that a year ago and so progress from his last race to this isn’t guess work, he is just about sure to take a step forward and should outstay his rivals to score.
Lucy Wadham’s top weight Shanroe Santos looks like the main danger although the 9lb rise for a win at Carlisle could be enough anchor him while Horatio Hornblower may run into a place at a reasonable price. Fancied Fourth Act has the profile of a regressive horse since wind surgery and may not live up to expectations.
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