I love Sandown Park! The form always seems reliable though one has to bear in mind, if following potential Cheltenham types, the impact of travelling the "wrong way round".
Understanding each horse's optimum circumstances is probably the most important aspect of picking winners/avoiding losers/making a betting profit. Nick Mordin is, in my view, the foremost exponent of this art. Please don't bet on major races without, at least, reviewing NM's copy which is regularly updated on his website. He also writes a column in the Racing Post Weekender which is also recommended.
Another Cheltenham Festival selection today - the bookies are squeezing the life out of most markets but there will be some value. Be aware of Non Runner/No Bet opportunities (regrettably does have an impact on odds available though!). Ladbrokes, Bet 365, Sporting Bet and Skybet are offering this concession for the 4 Championship races at the Festival...
Incidentally, for a bit of fun, I have placed the following 4-horse Cheltenham Festival each-way accumulator taking advantage of the NR/NB concession.
Peddlers Cross - Champion Hurdle
Somersby - Champion Chase
Big Bucks - World Hurdle
Kempes - Gold Cup
Today's more measured selection though is to take a Triumph Hurdle Betfair price on the two Paul Nicholls entries, Tonic Melysse and Zarkandar, before their UK debuts in tomorrow's Adonis Hurdle at Kempton with a view to laying when either one of them wins impressively. There is no outstanding candidate for the Triumph this year. McCoy appears to be on the more fancied, Tonic Melysse (jumps-bred) whilst Daryl Jacob is on board the flat-bred Zarkandar.
The Triumph is almost always won by a jumps-bred stayer but Cheltenham's roll of honour is littered with ex-Aga Khan types so I don't want to underestimate him!
Yes I know that Henderson has an interesting sort (perhaps two) in the contest but Geraghty has apparently chosen Celtus. Looking at his French form it screams testing conditions so I am wary.
Please read Geraghty's column on the AtTheRaces website under Features each Saturday and Paul Nicholls ongoing blog on Betfair. You will soon get a feel for their views. Henderson's Racing Post column is also recommended.
As for today, no system qualifiers but Geraghty goes to Sandown for just one ride on Giorgio Quercus and maybe the outsider of 3 whilst Henderson saddles Kid Cassidy (after the trauma of Newbury - has been taken around the paddock at Ascot so I understand) who must be a shoe-in!
I like the look of Greatrex's Rajamand in the 13:45 at Sandown. If the trauma (yes that word again!) of falling at the last on its previous two starts is not uppermost in its mind then this looks like a talented animal...
Wayne Hutchinson rides; one of the weighing room's unsung heroes.
Venetia's long term absentees must be watched today - Firedog (14:10 Warwick) and Lorient Express (14:20 Sandown). The Kings Caple magician is always a threat with these types.
Keep an eye out for the rides of Jeremiah (Jerry) McGrath who has started his career with aplomb. I met Jerry a few months ago when down at Matt Hazell's yard in Kingston Lisle. A wise head on young shoulders!
Good luck to Matt's Andrew Nick who runs in the 15:50 at Warwick; a useful sort in this grade.
Bye for now.
Rm (Mark)
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