Saturday's Meetings Sandown Flat 7 Races 1:20-4:45p.m. Haydock Flat 8 Races 1:30-5:25p.m. Leicester Flat 8 Races 1:35-4:50p.m. Navan Flat 8 Races 1:40-5:30p.m. Ripon(E) Flat 7 Races 4:00-7:05p.m. Doncaster(E) Flat 6 Races 4:40-7:30p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 7 Races 5:45-8:45p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
6:35 – Handicap (Distance & Draw Key) Track Bias: Getting across to the rail is crucial; early pace runners tend to do well. Preview Garden Oasis – The Veteran with Course Form Garden Oasis boasts an excellent course record but was pressured for the early lead last time out under Jake Dickson, ultimately going too fast. Surprisingly, Overnight Oats, the horse that went with him early, managed to hold off the finishers, showing significant ability and potential. Garden Oasis still ran a blinder in defeat, and if he secures the rail, he is a major player. The concern is his wide draw, competing against other lower-drawn front-runners. Good Morning Alex – The Young Challenger One of those lower-drawn prominent runners, Good Morning Alex returned with a midfield run at Redcar, where he over-raced early but still stayed on behind the pace. Likely to improve from that effort, but won off much lower marks last summer, suggesting the handicapper may have caught up with him. Pisanello – Needs a Pace Bias to Win? Finished one place ahead of Garden Oasis in that Redcar race, picking up well from off the pace. However, that race suited hold-up horses, and today’s setup may not favor him. Overlooked due to race dynamics. Urban Sprawl – Tough Draw to Overcome Running from the car park draw, Urban Sprawl has performed well on the all-weather but was disappointing at Newmarket last time, fading after leading. Likely to struggle negating the high draw today. Stockpyle – Wind Issues Ran well on return for a new yard, finishing midfield at Newcastle. Well drawn today but has a history of wind problems, making him difficult to trust in a winning scenario. Could run on for a place. Enthused – Not a Distance Player From the in-form James Owen yard and well drawn, but form at this distance isn’t compelling. Unlikely to feature in the finish. Spioradalta – Eye-Catching Return, But draw issues. Dropped to an interesting mark after once racing in the mid-80s. Ran well at Pontefract, finishing close behind the leaders despite a pace bias favoring front-runners. Clocked the fastest final furlong that day but wide draw hurts chances. Drink Dry – Wide Draw Concern Has good form over this trip and typically tracks leaders, meaning he could get across early. However, today is his seasonal return, and the wide draw makes his task difficult. Volenti – Turf Struggles Solid all-weather winter form, but poor turf record. Seems held by the handicapper, though could grab a place if adapting to turf. Mudamer – Not Proven at This Distance Limited form at this distance for this yard, with most runs over 7F. Would be a surprise winner. Poet’s Dawn – Potentially Frustrating A low-drawn runner, he often races prominently, so may secure a good early position. However, his return run was poor, making him hard to trust. Could outrun expectations, but winning seems unlikely. Verdict Despite the wide draw, Garden Oasis looks a solid bet if he gets across to the rail early. Garden Oasis 11/2
Followed up on Grangeclare West in the Whitbread hoping its got over its exertions. I cant see the winner coming from anything other than being ridden handy. Dorney Lake 630 Doncaster... won well at Yarmouth first start for Michael Bell (Up 6) . Not the strongest Class 3 this..
Dan Skelton, whom I’ve not always been that kind to has put up one hell of a fight since Aintree against the Mullins battalion. I hope burly Dan prevails but his prospect looks bleak with Willie having half of the Whitbread Gold Cup field running for him. Whatever the result I suspect the authorities will review the trainers champ rules moving forward. Willie undoubtedly the GOAT but the fact that filling the places at a handicap in Liverpool is worth more than any of the 4 championship races at Cheltenham is pretty rubbish.
16:10 Sandown - Resplendent Grey e/w Class-1 Premium Handicap Chase over distance not far short of 3m5f on good ground. 20-runner event is usual very open and tricky race, but will take a chance with this Walk In The Park gelding, who will be wearing cheek-pieces for the first time. Sean Bowen rides for the Ollie Murphy yard. 5/1 (Coral/Ladbrokes) best price on the ATR site, at time of writing.
Won with a driving run up the home straight after the last fence. 9/2 fav. SP. One can easily see why Sean Bowen is the champion NH jockey, gave the winner a fantastic ride for the Ollie Murphy stable. Great win for owner, Mrs. R. J. Skan.
Some good points. The Whitbread seemed to be a case of Might is Right. The Weekender editorial also questioned the current policy of having prizemoney beyond 4th place in big NH races. They put up the thesis that Celebre d'Allen may have been pulled up if his jockey thought he had no chance of prize money. It's a thought.
