The veteran’s chase at 3.00 at Sandown should be a cracking race. I’d usually consider backing two or three in a contest like this, but have decided on one horse each way, six places with Skybet – currently 25/1: Halo Moon.
He’s had about half the racing of most of his rivals – 17 runs in all, due to recurring training problems and connections have done well to persevere. It’s not often these oldies overcome such serious drawbacks.
Anyway, with fewer miles on the clock, a consistent season behind him bar a slight dip on his last run and a good record at stiff tracks – he’s won at Towcester and Newcastle – I’m hoping he can win us some money. I’d sooner have seen him have a recent run but they have got him here, hopefully ft and well.
The Tolworth at 2.25 will be an informative race, thankfully, because I’d be hard pressed to pick one now as a future champ. I’m not quite so taken with Rathhill as others seem to be, going on his last run. He’s a big horse and will come on for it but I think the price today is based on his home reputation as much as that Newbury victory.
I like Elixir De Nutz although the much touted form boost given by his last time victim Jarveys Plate might not be worth all it seems; Jarveys Plate stepped up by 4 furlongs on that winning outing, something that counted an awful lot more than his running behind Elixir De Nutz.
As with the 3.00, I’d sooner have a bet on the outsider, Idee De Garde (50/1). He impressed me when runner up on his hurdling debut at Newcastle (winner hacked up again since). He wasn’t given a hard race that day and I’m hoping he has come on enough to give trainer Skelton his first Grade 1 at his 53rd attempt.
Good luck
Joe
Steeplechasing 