The Saturday earlier than Cheltenham won’t ever be a day for punters to throw cash round with abandon however the Imperial Cup at Sandown is mostly a race that proves troublesome to withstand and the newest renewal isn’t any exception, with not less than a good case to be made for all however a handful of the 16 runners.
The sector includes a typical mixture of seasoned handicappers and extra lightly-raced contenders with scope for enchancment, together with the handicap debutant Making Headway, who completed 15 lengths behind the winner in a Grade One in December.
His opening mark of 129 appears to be like very reasonable, however it is a totally different take a look at to his 4 begins up to now and horses with extra expertise have undoubtedly had the sting on this race lately.
On that foundation, the strongly run Betfair Hurdle at Newbury final month might show to be the important thing piece of kind, and Go Dante, who was eight lengths behind the winner, Iberico Lord, can be a well-liked selection at round 7-1 as he traces up off the identical mark.
Go Dante was lower than three lengths in entrance of Knickerbocker Glory (2.25) at Newbury, nevertheless, and Dan Skelton’s front-runner has since been dropped a few kilos within the weights. He’s additionally returning to a right-handed monitor, having put up a career-best to win a sizzling race at Ascot on his season debut in November.
He has profitable kind on comfortable and heavy floor and a helpful 3lb claimer in Tristan Durrell to do the steering, and appears over-priced at round 12-1 to return to profitable methods.
Sandown 1.50 Hasthing misplaced his unbeaten document when dropped again to 2 miles final time however returns to two-and-a-half right here and his opening mark appears to be like lenient.
Wolverhampton 2.40 Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring was each one of many busiest and essentially the most constant three-year-olds of final season, and made the body at Group One degree on his ultimate two begins. He has twice gained off a break too, and whereas the race-fit Physician Khan Junior is a troublesome opponent, the favorite’s class ought to inform.
Sandown 3.00 Ben Pauling has an honest document in bumpers and although I’ve Madeupmymind is the outsider of his two runners, the type of her debut second behind a helpful winner provides her a greater probability than the betting may counsel.
Greg Wooden’s Saturday ideas
Present
Sandown Park 1.15 Via The Ages 1.50 Hasthing 2.25 Knickerbocker Glory (nap) 3.00 I’ve Madeupmymind 3.35 Kotmask 4.10 Rose Of Arcadia 4.40 Es PerfectoÂ
Ayr 1.23 Ozzy Cosmo 1.58 Blue Baloo 2.33 Salamanca Bay 3.08 Dance Thief 3.43 Ballycoose 4.18 Gypsey’s Secret 4.53 YakaleoÂ
Hereford 1.42 El Granjero 2.17 Inchester D’Amsyl 2.52 Glencassley 3.27 Chanceux 4.02 Hermes Le Gris 4.35 Amelia’s Dance 5.12 Jena D’Oudairies
Wolverhampton 2.40 Shouldvebeenaring 3.15 King’s Code (nb) 3.50 Sense Of Value 4.25 Lafan 5.00 Al Barez 5.35 Quiet Resolve 6.10 Nice Chieftain 6.40 Con Te PartiroÂ
Chelmsford 5.30 Calcutta Dream 6.00 Sea Ice 6.30 Ten O’Clock 7.00 Beneficiary 7.30 Come On Lady 8.00 Received No {Dollars} 8.30 Golden Passport
Thanks in your suggestions.
Wolverhampton 3.15 There’s a lot to love about Johnny Murtagh’s Remaining Voyage aside from a troublesome attract stall 11 so on the probably costs, King’s Code may very well be a greater wager at round 6-1 to comply with up a track-and-trip win in a powerful time final month.
Sandown 3.35 Scarface and Kotmask are carefully matched on their kind at Plumpton final month, however the latter’s confirmed capacity round this monitor ideas the stability.
