Saturday 8th March 2025
2.25 Sandown: Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle: The first of four selections for me this Saturday comes within the 2.25 at Sandown and this is the Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle, a Class 2 affair that’s ridden over two miles. I’m siding with Go Dante here for the team of Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. He won the race last year and it’s extremely likely that this has been his main target all season, he’ll also contest this year’s renewal of the race off a two pound lower mark than last year’s success. I think it’s highly plausible to suggest that we’ll see a big revival on the form that he’s shown so far this campaign. Go Dante – 15/2 (Each-Way)
2.45 Wolverhampton: Lincoln Trial Handicap: My second selection of the day comes from Wolverhampton and this is the Lincoln Trial which is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here and that’s Farasi Lane who’s currently trading at a best price of 16/1 for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole who’s the mount of Hollie Doyle. He came on from an underwhelming reappearance run to finish fourth of eleven at Southwell last month in Class 2 company and he’ll contest this particular contest off a mark which is two pounds lower than his last winning one. If getting a bit of luck in the run he can outrun his odds here. Farasi Lane – 16/1 (Each-Way)
3.20 Wolverhampton: BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes: I’m staying at Wolverhampton for selection number three and this is Listed action in the form of the Lady Wulfruna Stakes over seven furlongs. I like Witch Hunter here for the combination of Richard Hannon and Jamie Spencer. He posted a solid enough effort on his reappearance at Lingfield last month when finishing sixth in a Class 2 handicap and three and a half lengths behind the winner. He also seems to like it around this track having won both of his two starts here previously and is the second highest rated horse in the race here. He’s currently a 10/1 chance and I think that’s a very fair price. Witch Hunter – 10/1 (Each-Way)
3.35 Sandown: Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase: My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes back at Sandown and in the 3.35 which is a Class 3 handicap chase that’s contested over three miles. I’ve come down on then ten-year-old Java Point in this particular affair for Henry Oliver and Jonathan Burke. This Class 3 affair represents an ease in grade for him having ran in competitive Grade 3 handicaps at Ascot and Cheltenham on his last two outings, and he should appreciate this lesser field. He’s also only a pound higher than his last winning mark which came over course and distance last February, and I think he’s got every chance of running a big race. Java Point – 5/1 (Each-Way)
