Register for FREE to read this article.

Already have an account?

You have article views left.
Register for FREE to read more articles.

Already have an account?

Remind me next time

Its day one of the Bet365 meeting at Sandown Park with the flat stars taking pride of place in the form of the Gordon Richards Stakes, Mile and Classic Trial. The supporting cards come from Doncaster on the flat and over the sticks at Chepstow, Newton Abbot and Perth.

Sandown Tips –

2.10 – Sandown – This could turn into a hugely tactical race which is a shame for Robin Hoods Bay on his elevation to Group Three class as he was undone by the soft pace in the all-weather championships at Lingfield Park last time out. The only hope for connections is if the normally free running Contributor once again pulls for his head in the early stages. A hugely likeable horse, there will be other days for him.

However, for the sake of a win selection I much prefer the claims of the former Andre Fabre inmate SKY HUNTER over the lightly raced Telescope.

The selection - now with Saeed Bin Suroor - hails from a stable in good from and I suspect this is merely a starting point for him as I fancy he will have bigger fish to fry as we go through the season. His stand out run was of course in the French Derby and this stiff 10 furlongs could prove to be his optimum trip this season.

We all know the story of Sir Michael Stoute’s horse and having seen him close up in the flesh last year at Haydock Park and noting his physical demeanour there can be little doubt that he will probably be able to realise his potential much more as a four-year-old, but at the same time will probably come on a bundle for the outing.

BET NOW – SKY HUNTER      

2.45 – Sandown – There is further rain forecast at Sandown through Friday afternoon and if it arrives on time then obviously this will enhance the claims of both Top Notch Tonto and the redoubtable Penitent. Garswood has yet to show he sees this trip out especially on ground likely to be soft enough so I am more than happy to row in for this renewal of the bet365 Mile with TULIUS.

Andrew Balding’s charge has the advantage of a pipe-opener in the Lincoln where he carried his welter weight with distinction and with the dig in the ground he looks more reliable than Trumpet Major (ran flat towards the end of last season and was disappointing at Kempton last month) and his stable mate Montiridge. The last named looked to be making up into a very smart sort last year, but was turned over at odds-on by Top Notch Tonto in the Superior Mile and in my eyes now has something to prove.

BET NOW – TULIUS

3.15 – Sandown – I loved the way that WESTERN HYMN moved through the race at Newbury last time out and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him lining at Epsom for the Derby on the back of an impressive success here.

William Buick doesn’t normally go OTT about horses he has ridden in the past, but he told me: “He did everything so easily and for me has got it all.” The ground will certainly not be a problem and the stiff finish will definitely be in his favour as this son of High Chaparral has a rather climbing action as well. He certainly has the physical scope to improve through the year and looks an exciting prospect.

Of his rivals, even as a two-year-old Sir Jack Layden looked in need of a mile plus and remains a work in progress despite a slightly disappointing run in the UAE Derby. Truth or Dare was another juvenile crying out for a trip, but even a mile wasn’t far enough for him last year in the Autumn Stakes and nine furlongs first time out this season in the Feilden Stakes.

BET NOW – WESTERN HYMN