Above: Relax beating Ardkilly Witness at Sandown.
1.15 Sandown: Fairy Rath and Mr Muddle look like they will be contesting the lead in the miles furlongs chase. Fairy Rath was the winner of this race last year racing off 122 and although he is racing off 7lb higher this time he has dropped several pounds from a high of 132 and comes in to this race off several placed efforts. He has traded below at least half his BSP in-running in his last 8 races; he seems very well supported on the exchanges currently trading around 7.40 for a back-to-lay.
Mr Muddle’s recent in-running trading has been a bit hit and miss but he does seem to trade low consistently from bigger prices. He has traded below at least half his BSP in 4 of his last 5 races and at a big price he also appeals as a back-to-lay; he is currently trading around 23.0 but he is on the drift so he could end up much bigger.
1.50 Sandown: Pearls legend has run twice here at Sandown and won both times so he clearly likes the course and seems to handle all ground. He has traded below at least half his BSP in 13 of his last 14 races and comes in to today’s race on the back of a 1 length win at Cheltenham; he currently trades around 6.80.
If it continues to rain and the ground gets worse then Venetia Williams Arthurs Oak could dominate and lead all the way. He has been penalised 15lb for a 17 length win at Haydock in heavy ground; he currently trades around 6.20 for a back-to-lay but if the rain does continue he will probably be a lot shorter.
3.00 Sandown: The ground has come right for both of Venetia Williams runners Relax and Aachen. While Aachen has been hammered with a 13lb rise in the weights for a 17 length win at Cheltenham Relax has been given a little bit of respite by the handicapper dropping back down to 135. Relax won here over course and distance in heavy ground here in February of last year racing off just a 3lb lower mark than he carries today. He has led in the past but will be happy to sit behind the leaders as there looks plenty of horses that will want to lead in this race; he currently trades around 11.0 for a back-to-lay.
2 Jan 2016© Copyright 2017 Pitboss Gaming