Tom Stanley breaks down a busy weekend of racing, with tips from Sandown, Aintree and Punchestown Sunday.
Between the Tingle Creek, the John Durkan, the Henry VIII and the Becher Chase, this is a proper weekend’s racing and a good looking one for punting too. We start with tips on the Sandown feature before rattling on through the rest of that card on ITV, then turn to Aintree. All that before the race of the weekend at Punchestown.
Tingle Creek (14:25 Sandown)
Some differing opinions here – Donn and Deasy argue Chacun Pour Soi is a backable price and Donn also suggests Captain Guinness is worth a nibble at 15.0. Steve makes a strong case that Chacun is too short and I’d just about agree on that front for all our selections against the favourite differ.
- Tom – Greaneteen
- Steve – Nube Negra
- Donn – Chacun Pour Soi (NB Captain Guinness)
- Deasy – Chacun Pour Soi
Henry VIII Novices Chase (13:50 Sandown)
Third Time Lucki is 2.5 at the time of recording and three of four of us want him on side. His jumping should serve him well around here and he looks top class. Donn isn’t convinced though and suggests Edwardstone is overpriced.
- Tom – Third Time Lucki
- Steve – Third Time Lucki
- Donn – Edwardstone
- Deasy – Third Time Lucki
London National (15:00 Sandown)
Take your pick! I’m with the horse on a four-timer though Steve thinks that’s an error at the prices. He makes a cogent case for Red Infantry. Donn is with the Philip Hobbs horse whilst Deasy suggests a predominantly place bet on Christmas In April who should love the ground.
- Tom – Strictlyadancer
- Steve – Red Infantry (win & place)
- Donn – Deise Aba
- Deasy – Christmas In April (place mainly)
Listed Handicap Hurdle (15:35 Sandown)
Both Donn and Deasy argue Metier is the class in the race and he had excuses in the Supreme when scoping poorly after the race. I think Miss Heritage is a great bet on her peak form though some rain wouldn’t go amiss. Steve is the strongest on this race though. He really fancies his selection. So much.
- Tom – Miss Heritage
- Steve – Zambezi Fix (win & place)
- Donn – Metier
- Deasy – Metier
Bet Now
Juvenile Hurdle (13:30 Aintree)
Not for me this race. Donn and Deasy are with the chief Irish raider White Pepper whilst Steve thinks Six Feet Apart is the value. Fair to say not the strongest opinions here.
- Tom – No bet
- Steve – Six Feet Apart
- Donn – White Pepper
- Deasy – White Pepper
Many Clouds (14:05 Aintree)
Really hard to oppose Native River at the prices and if the rain arrives he looks certain to go off shorter than the current 3.5 available. Deasy will be backing Sam Brown too if the ground is heavy whilst Donn thinks Paul Nicholls’s charge is worth a go up in trip.
- Tom – Native River
- Steve – Native River
- Donn – Simply The Betts
- Deasy – Native River (win only) Sam Brown (place if ground is heavy)
Becher Chase (14:40 Aintree)
Both Steve and Deasy are strong on Snow Leopardess and the former thinks Achille should be kept on side too. Donn likes last year’s second (who he put up twelve months ago) and I want a couple at big prices in the slip.
- Tom – Top Ville Ben & Hogan’s Height
- Steve – Snow Leopardess & Achille
- Donn – Kimberlite Candy
- Deasy – Snow Leopardess
2m4f Handicap Hurdle (15:15 Aintree)
Steve is strong on another at a big price in the form of Ballyandy. Deasy is with Tamar Bridge on handicap debut but also suggests Carys’ Commodity if the ground has heavy in the description. At the prices, I think Martinhal is worth a nibble but it’s only a nibble.
- Tom – Martinhal (not strong)
- Steve – Ballyandy (win & place)
- Donn – No bet
- Deasy – Carys’ Commodity & Tamar Bridge win only
Sunday – John Durkan (14:00 Punchestown)
Race of the weekend. A few shouts for ‘the best horse to look through a bridle’ though Donn doesn’t make Envoi Allen a bet officially. Steve suggests Fakir D’Oudairies is the overpriced one whilst I feel the same about Asterion Forlonge who should get a good pace to settle off here.
- Tom – Asterion Forlonge
- Steve – Fakir D’Oudairies
- Donn – Envoi Allen (no bet)
- Deasy – Envoi Allen
Best Bets
- Tom – Miss Heritage – 15:35 Sandown
- Steve – Zambezi Fix – 15:35 Sandown (win & place)
- Donn – Kimberlite Candy – 14:40 Aintree (win & place)
- Deasy – Native River – 14:05 Aintree
Best of luck!
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