Today’s televised card at Sandown is desperately disappointing with three Pattern races where half the runners can be eliminated simply because of the quick ground.
Last year’s Classic Trial winner Western Hymn is known to prefer some cut so is easily overlooked in the Gordon Richards, as is miler Tullius and the outsider Ayrad. With no guarantee of any pace, this looks like a case of which of Postponed and Cannock Chase has the best turn of foot on the climb to the post. Given the latter’s trainer has a good record in the race, preference is for him over the Great Voltigeur winner dropping in trip; but only to small stakes.
There must be some reason that Tullius is not defending his title in the Mile, other than the Group 2 penalty. The three carrying the penalty are closely matched but with ground concerns about Here Comes When, Custom Cut would be preferred to possible pacesetter Bow Creek. However, Shifting Power gets into the race unpenalised and his Group 1 placings in Ireland and France last term are the best form on offer, so he can win first time out as he did in 2014.
With just four going to post in the Classic Trial and no guarantee of how the race will be run it is hard to get enthusiastic about last week’s Newmarket winner Cape Clear Island or favourite Commemorative, who must be well regarded to have run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to end last year.
With the news that Found is no certainty to run in the 1000 Guineas, punters with any other runner in mind might be well advised to take the odds before this Saturday morning as her removal from the betting would see everything else contract considerably. I note this morning that the bookies have already shortened the prices on all the other leading contenders.
Sandown
2:00 Cannock Chase
2:30 Shifting Power
