DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY MARCH 8
1.15 SANDOWN
A tight knit affair with several holding decent chances off their opening handicap marks and NARRGANSETT (best price 7-2) is one that suggests he could easily be slightly ahead of the curve.
A little wet behind the ears on his first two starts over hurdles, the application of a hood was introduced for the first time at Fontwell last time out and based on the end product, the headgear had the desired effect.
Despite being a smidge keen in the early stages, he still had loads of energy left in his locker to power clear in the final half a mile and with the same front running tactics likely to be in operation again her this afternoon, he could be quite difficult to peg back if in the same form.
NARRGANSETT – 1-point win@7-2
1.50 SANDOWN
As ever, atypically wide open and difficult-to-solve renewal of the EBF Final but there’s a strong possibility either GEORGE’S LAD (best price 9-2) and KEPLER’S LAW (best price 18-1), or both, can play a significant role in the outcome.
The former comes across as a nice type who will undoubtably do better in time, particularly when he goes over fences, but up to now his form over hurdles isn’t too shabby and there potentially could be plenty more left to come.
Runner-up to the useful Vanderpoel in a race run at a strong gallop at Huntingdon two starts ago, the form has worked out as well as the speed figure suggested it might and his subsequent victory at Doncaster over almost half a mile further pointed towards a horse who appeared more comfortable over that sort of trip.
Without being asked any serious questions on Town Moor, he qualified for today’s final with plenty of panache and with today’s drying ground likely to prove a better environment for him rather than the usual slugfest this venue tends to offer, a big run looks on the cards on his handicap debut.
The latter, in contrast, could have ideally done with a bit more rain during the week but he has got some useful form on good ground and a chance is taken on Laura Mongan’s gelding having the necessary requirements to cope.
His efforts behind the likes of Mister Meggit and Skyjack Highjack read well in the context of today’s race, but it was his latest performance when upped in trip on soft ground that really captured the imagination.
Although his overall speed figure wasn’t quite as good as the one he posted at Aintree on rules debut, his final circuit time, 4.3 seconds quicker than any other horse on the hurdles track, indicated he is no slouch and this embryonic chaser is fancied to go well before embarking on a career his physique points to where his future will lie.
GEORGE’S LAD – 1-point each-way@9-2
KEPLER’S LAW – ½ point each-way@18-1
2.17 AYR
Heads Or Harps is slowly coming to the boil but whether a drop back to the minimum trip is what he requires remains to be seen and preference is for DANCE THIEF (best price 4-1), who is proven over today’s course multiple times over.
Mike Smith’s inmate has only had the three starts over fences but he seems to have taken to his new vocation well and his victory over in the in-form Sunnyvilla over the C&D reads well in the context of today’s race.
Although beaten on his follow up bid here last time, heavy ground wouldn’t have been ideal and with conditions slightly more favourable on his return visit, the ever-consistent seven-year-old should give his local supporters a decent spin.
DANCE THIEF – 1-point win@4-1
2.25 SANDOWN
There are strong cases to be made for a whole host in this traditional pre-Cheltenham handicap and of those who brings some of the best form lines to the party, OOH BETTY (best price 12-1) makes the most appeal at the morning odds.
Admittedly, Ben Clarke’s mare can sometimes throw in the odd stinker from left field, as she did at Newbury earlier in the season, but by and large she is a fairly consistent type and she certainly has enough quality to make an impact in a race of this nature.
Her effort in a Grade 2 contest at Ascot last time out pays a compliment to those beliefs and as the winner and runner-up are Cheltenham festival bound (fourth won since), to come out of the race with the same mark (132), the seven-year-old can count herself mildly fortunate.
Earlier in the campaign, the daughter of Westerner proved that today’s C&D suits her well with a commanding display and with conditions to suit, a return to the Esher slopes should see her have some sort of say in the argument.
OOH BETTY – ½ point each-way@12-1
6.15 WOLVERHAMPTON
CIVIL LAW (best price 13-2) could never land a meaningful blow on his latest encounter at Lingfield but taking into account the data surrounding that race eight days ago was off the charts, he is worth another chance to make a bigger impact back at a venue that has seen him run some of his best races over the years.
Seemingly settled in the rear by design at the Surrey venue, the eight-year-old grey still had fresh air behind him coming down the side of the track and although he only made marginal gains in the final half a mile, he did more than enough to suggest he would be of significant interest if having his sights lowered in due course.
True to form, he now heads back in the direction of a class 4 race (from class 2), and with form figures at the Dunstall track that read 121117412359, the old boy can show the younger brigade a thing or two with a slightly more proactive ride.
CIVIL LAW – 1-point each-way@13-2