Another poor showing with only one horse placed. Early Du Lemo made a bad mistake early and never really recovered. Jockey and Trainer winning the race previously made no difference. I was encouraged that Chris Cook from The Guardian also liked the look of Galice Macalo but this selection went against weight carried by previous winners and so it proved. Jepeck ran quite well I thought and I hoped he'd stay on for a place but it wasn't to be. The winner was older than previous 3 winners at 13 and had run at Haydock last time out like Houblon Des Obeaux 2 years ago. The final race rom Sandown was won by a horse who wasn't in the weight range which is one my main indicators for handicaps. Friend Or Foe ran well and looked to be cruising but was carrying nearly a stone more than the winner and didn't pick up after the last. There was no pattern or field that was consistent in all 4 winners. Three had weight, three had position, three had distance, three had month and two had age. What's clear is the winner is rarely the one that ticks the most boxes from the previous 3 winners.
Results:
1.50 Sandown Winner - Ibleo - weight, position, distance, month
1.50 Sandown Selection - Early Du Lemo - weight, jockey, trainer, distance, course, month
2.25 Sandown Winner - Metier - age, weight, position, distance
2.25 Sandown Selection - Galice Macalo - age, position, distance, course, month
3.00 Sandown Winner - Seeyouatmidnight - weight, course, month
3.00 Sandown Winner - Jepeck - age, weight, trainer, distance, course, month
3.35 Sandown Winner - Guard Your Dreams - age, position, distance, month
3.35 Sandown Selection - Friend Or Foe (placed) - age, weight, position, distance, month
I'm still very much on Christmas Holiday time, sitting up until after 2am and hoping my son doesn't get me up before I've had my 7-8 hours. He hasn't been in bed early either so I'm getting my kip. Todays ITV Racing is from Sandown and Ayr with the Tolworth Novices Hurdle and the Veterans Chase at the English track topping the prize money. I can't find any history for the three races from Ayr so I'm assuming they're new races and haven't selected any horses from these. The 1.50 from Sandown is over a mile and seven (and a half), Darebin won this two years ago and is at the bottom of the weights. He was trained and ridden by the Moores then and they have Early Du Lemo running this year. The last 3 winners have been 7 year olds but that age isn't represented this year. Early Du Lemo is my pick as he's had a similar prep to Speredek who won this in 2018.
Since 2018, The Tolworth has seen wins for Fiddlerontheroof, Elixir De Nutz and Summerville Boy with only the Terry George trained gelding going on to frank that form a few months later at Cheltenham. Metier seems to be getting talked up the most this year. This is the first Harry Fry trained horse I've seen for a while this year, I actually wondered was he still in the game! Grandeur D'ame, Smurphy Enki and the mare Galice Macalo tick the most boxes for me. They're all in the age range but the mare would be ruled out on weight. All three have finished first to third in their last race over 2 mile but Grandeur D'ame hasn't raced for slightly longer than the other two. A chance is taken on Jane Williams trained Galice Macalo.
The Veterans Chase has been won by 11 and 12 year olds recently and all but 3 of the 17 runners fit that bill. The weight of the last three winners was between 11/3 and 10/8 while a top six finish in a 2 mile 6 or 2 mile 7 at Chepstow or Haydock in December is also favourable. Jepeck won this last year carrying 11 stone and has 10/8 this time. Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch won this a couple of years ago and have Burtons Well in it this year but I'll go with Jepeck.
The final race from Sandown is a 2m handicap hurdle and Jane Williams saddles Monsieur Lecoq who won this 2 years ago. Friend Or Foe for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden carry 4lb less and finished in the top 3 last time out and preference is given to them.
Happy New Year.
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