Selections for Saturday 11th of March 2023
1.50 Sandown
1 point each way Henri The Second ( 9/1 William Hill, 5 places or else 7/1 Skybet, 6 places)
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls throws three darts in this Premier Novices’ Handicap final and has a good record in the race. He has won this race four times and I favour the top weighted Henri The Second. His sole win came over course and distance on soft ground over Christmas. He finished second last time at Warwick on ground that was probably too fast for him. Back on his preferred ground and guaranteed to take a step forward from his last run he should at least hit the frame. This has been his seasonal target and the ground has come good for him at the right time.
2.25 Sandown
1 point each way Iceo (6/1 Skybet, 7 places or else 6/1 Paddy power/ William Hill, 6 places)
Iceo ran well for a long way on his comeback run after a hairline fracture at Sandown. He finished 3 lengths behind Hardy Du Seuil over course and distance in January and just tired in the final furlong after a 10 months layoff. He has won in France on soft ground before joining Paul Nicholls and won at Kempton on his British debut on soft ground. If he can step forward from his last run which he is entitled to do he should go close on ground that he prefers.
1 point each way Metier (9/1 Skybet, 7 places or 10/1 William Hill, 6 places)
I was going backing Zoffany Bay all week for Peter Fahey and at the final hour changed on to the Harry Fry trained Metier. This might come back to haunt me but his form on Heavy ground is up there with the best and usually i wouldn’t touch a top weight in these conditions but he relishes them. He is still only seven and on Heavy ground he won the Tolworth over course and distance back in January 2021. He beat Gowel Road at Lingfields millions meeting on Heavy ground last January carrying 11 – 10. He then won on the flat, winning the November Handicap at Doncaster again on Heavy ground. Sandowns Hurdle track is renowned for being testing and was called “unraceable in places” last Thursday. Conditions he is guaranteed to relish.
3.00 Sandown
1 point each way Saint Bibiana (10/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ Betvictor, 3 places)
A race I was going to swerve until I noticed this was the only runner on the card for Kim Bailey who has a 20% strike rate at the course. I also like that she has the most experience of these mares, having ran three times last year before winning last time at Uttoxeter on Heavy ground. There has been good money for the Nigel Twiston Davies trained Casa No Mento but hopefully our selection will handle these conditions better than some ahead of her in the market. She is very game as she showed at Uttoxeter and has an each way shout.
3.35 Sandown
1 point each way Lac De Constance (11/2 William Hill/ Betvictor, 2 places)
Easy As That was impressive at Newcastle last time but we’ll take him on at the prices and I have sided with the Dan Skelton trained Lac De Constance. He beat Hudson De Grugy by 20 lengths at Kempton on soft ground back in November. He then unseated Harry Skelton in a Grade 2 before finishing second at Exeter, beaten 17 lengths by Cap Du Mathon on Good ground. I would discard his last run as he would have needed it and it was a matter of just getting a run into him. Back on his preferred ground I can see him putting in a much improved effort here and being the closest challenger to the favourite.
**Date & Time of next Selections Monday Night 13th of March at 9pm
**Date & Time of next Selections Monday Night 13th of March at 9pm