Aintree & Sandown selections Saturday 6th December
Plenty of high class racing to enjoy once more on Saturday with some quality jumps action at both Sandown and Aintree. The highlight might well be the chance to see the National fences in action once more, where a horse high on my list of ones to follow for the season, is in action.
Sandown 2.25: Knickerbockerglory
A winner of this race first time out last season on similar testing going, KNICKERBOCKERGLORY has presumably been laid out for a repeat bid here and with his course record very strong, he can defy top weight.
His burden has been eased somewhat by stablemate Kateira being declared, but then withdrawn this morning, but he is only 6lbs higher than when beating the high class Nemean Lion by 8l last season. A confirmed front-runner he will enjoy the testing going, especially as it will make it harder for the hold up horses to make up ground late on.
He continued to run well in defeat last season, including a third place in the Winter Millions fixture at Windsor and fifth here in the Imperial Cup on faster than usual Sandown going. The presence of Glynn Brae could make it problematic to get an easy lead, but the selection is probably a naturally faster horse, so could still get to dominate from the front.
Aintree 2.40: Westerninthepark
Totally unexposed beyond 3m, I expect WESTERNINTHEPARK to be a contender in big handicaps beyond 3m all winter and he can start that trend with victory in the Becher Chase this afternoon.
Although showing promise all last season, he never really got a serious stamina test with his early season form being at around 2m4f and his later runs coming on ground faster than ideal. A winner of two of his four hurdles races, he made an impressive start to his chasing career, relishing the heavy ground when winning by 14l at Stratford. He was placed in good company on his next three runs, including at Cheltenham.
His last start of last season was his first go beyond 3m, but the ground was too quick for him to make an impact at the Cheltenham Festival. There was plenty to like about his Carlisle comeback where he travelled well for a long way before getting tired on the run-in. That run would have brought him on plenty for what is likely to be his prime early season target and the ground will be soft enough for him today.
Aintree 3.15: Rubber Ball
Having fancied RUBBER BALL for the Greatwood at Cheltenham last month, in the event he just seemed to lack the natural pace to lay up over 2m. At least he should be sharper for the outing and perhaps 2m4f on a sharp track might be the ideal circumstances for Neil King’s charge now.
He started his hurdling career over this sort of trip when third to Ma Shantou at Warwick last season, but then stuck to 2m thereafter with a wide margin success at Uttoxeter and a victory over recent Newbury winner Tutti Quanti at that track justifying that drop in distance. 2M on good going in grade 1 company was beyond him at Aintree, and he was outpaced from the top of the hill at Cheltenham last month.
There was plenty to suggest he was a good horse last season, but perhaps he will be more comfortable racing at a slightly slower pace at this distance and the ground will be to his liking this afternoon. With a nice racing weight of 10-10 I expect to see him fully competitive today.
Sandown 3.35: O’Connell
Plenty of early pace seems assured in this race and I am looking for one to creep into this marathon from off the early gallop. O’CONNELL, a course winner who remains progressive at 3m and beyond seems to fit the bill ideally.
He made a pleasing reappearance at Carlisle last month when third over 3m2f having been dropped right out the back. He needed every yard of 3m on heavy going to win here in February and proved his stamina for marathon trips when landing the Lincolnshire National last Christmas and then finishing a fine second in the Eider.
The Joel Parkinson/Sue Smith team have been in terrific form all season, so O’Connell could not be in better hands and the long trip south can pay dividends with plenty of competition for the early lead likely to bring his stamina into play.
Recommended bets:
1pt win – Knickerbockerglory – 2.25 Sandown – 3/1 Unibet, Betway
1pt each-way – Westerninthepark – 2.40 Aintree – 17/2 Coral (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Rubber Ball – 3.15 Aintree – 15/2 BetVictor
1pt win – O’Connell – 3.35 Sandown – 3/1 William Hill
