*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
Sandown 13.50 – Ilzaeem
ITV coverage on Friday gets under way at Sandown with this handicap over 1m. There’s a chance ILZAEEM is chucked in here on a line through Royal Fleet who beat the former at Kempton two starts ago. After that my selection went on to hack up at Redcar and with a mark of 89 from a good draw under the excellent James Doyle for Simon and Ed Crisford.
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Sandown 14.25 – Hukum
Now the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes over 1m2f. HUKUM stays further but he’s got plenty of class and with a positive ride from Jim Crowley he might be hard to catch for Owen Burrows. The four-year-old colt was last seen as a non-staying fifth in the St Leger but was not disgraced in the Classic. He took a keen hold when landing the King George V Stakes and I expect him to have a good season.
Perth 14.40 – Duc De Grissay
ITV also show one jumps race from Perth in this handicap chase over an extended 3m6f. I’ll take a chance with DUC DE GRISSAY for Sandy Thomson and Ryan Mania. The latter has been in great form of late – although was a bit cheeky about me one day – and the Duc is on a handicap mark to get the job done. Stamina is his forte and he should give us a good run.
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Sandown 15.00 – Palace Pier
It’s Group 2 company here with the Sandown Mile. Hard to get away from PALACE PIER here who might prefer a bit of give in the ground but who is probably just too good for this lot. The Frankie Dettori mount for the Gosdens landed the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes and Jacques le Marois. Even though this might be tactical in a small field, class should prevail.
Sandown 15.35 – Yibir
Finally at Sandown back to Group 3 level with the Classic Trial over 1m2f. I put up YIBIR as a horse to follow on a recent flat preview on Attheraces so I have to stick with him here! He could well be better than a 100 horse and I think he will enjoy stepping up in trip for Godolphin and after outstaying the super useful Megallan at Newbury last season. The son of Dubawi should get better and has William Buick riding for Charlie Appleby.
So best of luck and hope for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s best bets:
Sandown 13.50 – Ilzaeem
Sandown 14.25 – Hukum
Perth 14.40 – Duc De Grissay
Sandown 15.00 – Palace Pier
Sandown 15.35 – Yibir
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at the time of publication but subject to change
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