Gosden set to Eclipse the rest but Waady is his best Sandown value
Published:
Golden Horn’s bid to maintain his unbeaten record in the Eclipse will have all the headline writers glued to their TV sets on Saturday, but we are more interested in finding those winners.
With John Gosden’s Derby winner price likely to be around the 1/3 mark, there is little room for manoeuvre with the son of Cape Cross.
Nevertheless, we looked over the weekend’s Group 1 and more in our weekly podcast…
So onto the main business; finding that value. And with eight races shown live on Channel 4 there is plenty of opportunity to make the most of Ladbrokes’ Free Bet offer*.
Here’s who we fancy to triumph…
Having been pitched in at a very deep level on his last three starts, it looks as if Karl Burke’s charge can strike back down at a suitable level.
An eased down 11l behind the 114-rated Star of Seville in the Musidora and 14l back from Elm Park (rated 117) in the Dante suggests his mark of 92 could be more than workable.
While he was well beaten in both runs this season, he had travelled nicely but was simply outclassed.
Victory over a mile at Haydock last September has worked out well since with King George V Stakes fifth Rocky Rider nearly 7l back, and multiple winner Rosenbaum also well beaten.
With conditions in his favour, and a very tasty forecast price, there is no reason not to lord it up with this three-year-old.
Even if Michael Dods’ Mecca’s Angel does take part in this 5f contest (though that looks unlikely), we simply have to side with John Gosden’s course specialist.
The three-year-old is now three from three at the Esher track and most recently delivered an electric performance to take the Scurry Stakes in nice fashion.
He finished a very solid fourth when upped to 6f behind Adaay in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury in May, but this drop back to the minimum distance – a trip he is unbeaten over – looks ideal.
Even with the thunderstorms that are forecast to hit the area of the track in the build up to the meeting, the scorching weather we have been enjoying should mean that the sprint track remains at it’s good-to-firm best, something that will thrill Waady backers.
Win this, and a crack at a Group 1 must surely be in the calendar for this talented son of Approve.
We’re using the trends to narrow down the field somewhat in Haydock’s big handicap.
Noting that the last 10 winners had all run in fewer than 14 handicaps, eight of those rated between 90 and 97, and with four of the last five winners being drawn in the five highest stalls, leaves us with a very small shortlist.
And it is Peter Chapple-Hyam’s horse that makes the selection, having now got an acceptable comeback in him in a Listed contest at Ascot last time out.
The four-year-old was a winner of an ultra-competitive Betfred TV Stakes at Newmarket in October, and has winning form at Haydock.
A 1½l defeat on his only foray over course and distance, having started slowly should stand him in good stead for this test, and with ground conditions to suit, can run a big race for each-way backers.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.
