Sandown selections Saturday 3rd January
Happily despite the cold weather, the big fixture at Sandown has survived the frost and we hope for some decent afternoon action over the jumps. I have selections from three races where the focus is on the veteran horses, including the final of the long distance series at 3.05. Grandeur D’Ame was placed for the each-way bet at Cheltenham on Thursday (SP 14/1).
Sandown 1.15: Dominics Fault
The first of the races restricted to older horses, this hurdles contest is open to 8yo and upwards only. However having only races seven times in his career, DOMINICS FAULT can hardly be described as exposed and might have more room for improvement than his opponents.
He made a satisfactory reappearance in a hot handicap at Newbury in November, but connections were obviously concerned enough to give him a little wind op afterwards and have applied a tongue strap today. Hopefully that will allow him to finish off his race a little better, but the benefit of that outing should simply bring him on fitness wise anyway. He looked set to play a big part in a race over course and distance at this time last season, only to be brought down three out.
He had also travelled well when beaten narrowly in a decent contest at Carlisle over this distance, so 2m4f does look to be his trip, even though his two wins have come at 2m. That Carlisle run came on ground similar to what it will be today, so even though his wins have come on very soft ground, I am very hopeful he will handle today’s conditions.
Sandown 3.05: Nocte Volatus
NOCTE VOLATUS was racing for only the second time over 3m when winning a qualifier for today at Warwick in November and definitely seemed to improve for the extra distance. As such I think he remains well weighted for a crack at this big pot.
He stormed 7l clear of Torn and Frayed that day, showing no signs of stopping and though a stronger pace is likely here and a stiffer finish, I think he will cope fine. This race features several likely pacesetters such as Gustavian, Annsam and Copperhead, so a horse that creep around in behind the lead might be worth following, such as this 11yo.
The ground was far from slow that day at Warwick and he produced probably his best effort on last season on genuine good going at Ascot when chasing home the in form Gemirande over 2m5f. He also has a good ground win to his name, as a novice at Doncaster, so I have every confidence in this horse handling conditions, whilst he should be quick enough to lay up of a decent pace given his strong form at around 2m4f in the past.
Sandown 3.35: He’s A Latchico
Although he might lack the class of some of his higher weighted opponents, HE’S A LATCHICO gets a decent weight concession and as a horse who ran off 83 the last time we saw him on the flat, a rating of 114 over hurdles seems exploitable.
This horse already boasts a course win on the flat over 14f and ran a cracker over hurdles a couple of seasons back when just outstayed on heavy going over this 2m trip. Nearly all his victories have come on a sound surface, so conditions should be in his favour today.
After an easy return at Huntingdon which prompted a stewards enquiry over his running, he left that effort well behind when winning at Leicester next time – seemingly enjoying the return to a stiffer track. He was only beaten 2l by Dance and Glance at Ascot last month, and is 4lbs better off today, and with the ground drying up that might help my selection over turn the form.
Recommended bets:
1pt win – Dominics Fault – 1.15 Sandown – 3/1 general
1pt each-way – Nocte Volatus – 3.05 Sandown – 4/1 William Hill (1/4 odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – He’s A Latchico – 3.35 Sandown – 14/1 BetVictor (1/5 odds 1st 3)
