Selections for Saturday 26th of April 2024
1.50 Sandown
1 point each way Secret Squirrel (7/1 William Hill, 5 places or else 6/1 Generally, 5 places)
Secret Squirrel looks handicapped to go close off a mark of 126 for Hughie Morrison and David Bass. The better ground here should really suit this horse and he has form figures of 112 on good ground. He is a dual Bumper winner who hasn’t been out of the first two in four runs over hurdles. His second to Jeriko Du Reponet reads well as he is now rated 136 over hurdles. There was a nod of heads between him and the re-opposing Fire Flyer who again rates a big danger. Hopefully Secret Squirrel can get a nice prominent position and David Bass can make plenty of use of him as he has plenty of speed and stays this trip well.
2.25 Sandown
2 points each way Hitman (3/1 Bet365, 3 places or else 11/4 Betfred, 3 places)
Hitman is a bit of an enigma but I do fancy him to go close in this race tomorrow and I have decided to go each way as he finds it hard to get his head in front. He receives weight from those around him in the market and has been kept fresh for this race. The first time application of blinkers could bring about enough improvement to get this lads head back in front. His second to Shiskin at Newbury reads well as he was ½ a length ahead of Protektoat who won the Ryanair on his next run. Hitman wasn’t suited by the heavy conditions that day and will be much happier on this better surface. 2m 6f on good ground should give him every chance especially against horses with question marks over themselves.
3.00 Sandown
2 points Win Jonbon (2/1 Generally)
Jonbon looks fairly priced to win the Bet365 Celebration Chase for the second year in a row. His record at Sandown is excellent and he made it three wins from three runs when winning the Grade 1 Tingle Creek back in December. El Fabiolo could have just had an off day in the Champion Chase but his jumping was terrible and it is hard to forgive that run. Edwardstone will be better suited by this sounder surface but the safest bet has to be Jonbon. Three course and distance wins is the main swinging factor.
3.35 Sandown
1 point each way Courtland (40/1 Betvictor/ Coral/ Boylesports/ Ladbrokes, 5 places)
Kitty’s Light will go close here and will probably win but I like the profile of Courtland at much bigger odds to hopefully make the frame. He won at Worcester last August over 2m 7f by 12 lengths off a mark of 134. He was raised to 144 for that effort but has slipped back to 141 after two below par efforts. He won over an inadequate trip on his last start at Hereford. In truth he would have been a remote third only for to be left in front when the two infront of him fell and unseated. The step up in trip could be the making of this horse and he is totally unexposed. Hopefully Sean Bowen can sign the season off with a big winner.
5.20 Sandown
1 point each way Pic Roc (11/2 William Hill, 5 places or else 5/1 Generally, 5 places)
Pic Roc is progressive and ran a good second to his stablemate Champagne West over course and distance in his latest run. The third, Emailandy won next time out. On his penultimate start he won at Ascot on good to soft ground, beating Inthewaterside who has since finished a good third in a Premier Handicap at Aintree. The handicapper has raised him 5 lbs for his latest run to a mark of 128 but he can hopefully handle that and keep progressing. He should still run a big race at an each way bet to nothing.
2.45 Haydock
1 point each way Tacarib Bay (15/2 Skybet, 4 places or else 7/1 Betfred, 4 places)
Tacari Bay has a great record at Haydock having won his maiden here over 6 f on soft ground. The following season he won a handicap over 7 f again on soft ground off the same mark as he runs today, 103. He finished second in a Group 3 over 1 m here on good to firm ground. The winner Triple Time has since gone on and won the Queen Anne at last year’s Royal Ascot. He is better suited to soft ground and will be suited by these conditions. Off a mark of 103 he can be competitive.
**Date & Time of next Selections Monday 29th of April at 9pm..