Sandown and Exeter

Sandown stages a decent card today with the emphasis on novices. The Grade Two novice hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 14.45 CET has only 5 runners, but all are potentially smart. Perhaps Taquin de Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) will come out on top; he had useful flat form in France, won first time over hurdles at Uttoxeter and was then runner-up to a Henderson hotpot at Ascot. The listed future stars chase over 3 miles at 15.20 has only 4 runners, and on ratings Pacha Du Polder (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and Bold Sir Brian (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan) should have the race between them. Pacha was pulled up in the Old Roan Chase last time, but had previously won well at Ayr´ s big April meeting; however he must give 4 lbs to the Scottish raider, who is in excellent form, having won 4 of his last 5 races. Brian is up in trip here, but clearly acts well on very soft ground and is our selection. The handicaps offer more interesting betting opportunities. The 3 mile han dicap chase for amateur riders at 15.55 could go to useful point-to-pointer Monkerty Tunkerty (Jessica Westwood/ Josh Guerriero), as this is a good track for front-runners; Dashing George (Dr. Richard Newland/ Tom Weston), who was runner-up over this CD 22 months ago but has only run twice since, would be a big danger is back to his old form. Tanerko Emery (David Pipe/ Conor O´Farrell) ran an excellent race when runner-up in a big field at Cheltenham last time; he has been put up 5 lbs for that, but still looks well handicapped in the novices handicap hurdle at 16.30. Ex-German Electric Tiger (David Bridgwater/ Tom Phelan) is no star, but could well run into a place here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Valco De Touzaine - Dollar Bill - Juno The Muffinman
2. Race: Thanks For Coming - Wings Of Smoke - Fairy Rath
3. Race: Taquin Du Seuil - Southfield Theatre - Le Bec
4. Race: Pacha Du Polder - Bold Sir Brian - Triolo D`Alene
5. Race: Very Stylish - Deireadh Re - Satou
6. Race: Tanerko Emery - Barenger - Haymarket



An ex-German with a better chance in our opinion is Home Run (David Pipe/ Samuel Welton), who runs in the opening race at Exeter at 13.30. The Ammerland-bred is closely related to Hurricane Run but has so far totally failed to live up to expectations; however in this feeble company he could well be thereabouts. The big betting race at Exeter is the marathon chase over 4 miles at 14.30. We also like Pipe´s runner here, Shaking Hands (Tom Bellamy), who was runner-up in this last year and looks as of he has been trained with this race in mind again. The two top-weights Our Island (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson) and Lord Tomnoddy (Kim Bailey/ Nick Scholfield) have obvious form chances, but this trip on heavy ground will require a great deal of stamina and the more lightly-weighted runners could have an advantage. We therrefore think that Desperate Dex (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan), who has won both his starts since switching to this in-form trainer, but is up in class here., could be the main danger to our selection. The best horse running at Exeter-indeed anywhere- today is Fingal Bay (Philip Hobbs/ Johnson), who has only two opponents to beat in the novice chase at 14.00. Fingal Bay has won 6 of his 8 starts, and finished runner-up in the other two in top company, and only has to jump round to win. However he will not be a betting proposition, as he will start at Frankellian odds.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Home Run - Ripoff - Midnight Lira
2. Race: Fingal Bay - Chartreux - Ashbourne Folly
3. Race: Desperate Dex - Lord Tomnoddy - Chesapeake
4. Race: The Italian Yob - Orabora - Key To The West
5. Race: Irish Buccaneer - Diamond Life - Presenting Arms
6. Race: Musical Wedge - The Big Freeze - Royal Chatelier
7. Race: Vibrato Valtat - Allons Zee - Storm Lantern