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Jacobs at the Weekend
By Paul Jacobs
Last updated: 12:55 Saturday, July 5, 2008
Paul's Best Bets - Sandown
14.10 - Won last year by Hoh Mike in scintillating fashion, the Michael Bell charge goes for a follow up victory after being far from disgraced at Royal Ascot last time out and to be honest this is more his level of play nowadays as good a sprinter as he is.
However, in last year's race it looked like he was going to be beaten by WI DUD until putting on the afterburners in the last 100 yards and with rain forecast for the area the latter maybe the value to reverse the placings at a double figure price after disappointing badly.
The 12 draw is not a problem with loads of pace on here and I fancy him bouncing back with possibly Prime Defender (expected to make his presence felt in this class) the biggest danger.
14.40 - Luck in running will be a prime factor here and it could be a distinct advantage to out in front or a presser in this race as it was when Ordnance Row won this last year.
Celtic Sultan is sure to be at the head of affairs but I just feel that the handicapper has him where he wants him at the moment.
Ascot winner Fifteen Love is potentially still well treated, but this is a big step up and I must say I am rather sweet on the claims of PRINCE OF LIGHT each-way.
It is unlike Mark Johnston to persevere with a horse of this nature unless he thought his charge had a chance and off a mark of 90 he could go veyr close if the race pans out for him.
Flipando has been raced sparingly of late and remains a classa act but a stiff seven is surely better for him and bigger dangers are Lang Shining (wants some rain) and Masaalek.
Sir Michael Stoute will surely be hoping to get a Group Three out of the former this season and he is much better tha his Ascot run suggests so watch for any market moves particularly if the ground eases in the run up to the race.
15.20 - This is hardly an above average renewal for this historic contest and the sponsors must be rather disappointed by the turnout.
Much will depend on the state of the ground and if we do get some rain and there is no jar in the turf then Multidimensional will surely be a major player.
I have always thought a stiff 10f would bring out the best in him especially with a stiff last quarter and this strong travelling type can bring Cecil another Group One.
Mount Nelson is no certainty to see out this trip after getting a far from clear run in the Queen Anne, but has little to find on my ratings if he does and of course is the most likely improver in the field.
Maraahel is always likely to be thereabouts in such a sub-standard group one over this trip, but I fancy that CAMPONOLOGIST will be good enough following his Ascot success.
He looked an improved sort physically that day and showed that was no false look when doing the business on the track. I think he will improve veen further over 10 furlongs and front runners have a cracking record around here so he could prove very hard to catch.
16.30 - Samuel is a possible improver at the trip after finally breaking his duck at York and remember he comes here very fresh after many of his rivals have had a tough opening half to the season.
Eastern Anthem is a horse I like but will only be allowed to run if there is significant rain. If he does this trip could be the making of him.
Tungsten Strike is capable of winning this at his best, but needs the ground to be very much on the fast side of good so there is a question with the forecast wiht him and also whether he is on the donwgrade as well so FINALMENTE and RAINCOAT could have this between them.
The former needs this trip nowadays and faces an easier taks thna when down the field in the Gold Cup.
The furthest Raincoat has travelled in a race has been an extended 15f in last years' Leger when he looked like a non stayer, but everything he has done this year suggests he is worth a try at it again and he could be worth the value and I shall back both horses at their respective prices.