It’s the calm before the storm this weekend on ITV and I will be cheering from the sofa as I get ready for the best four days of the whole year next week!
Of course, the thing to remember is you get paid the same for a winner on Saturday as you do if you back the first winner at Cheltenham.
13:50 Sandown
The opening race at Sandown has a couple I like at decent odds Al Shahir was a winner at Towcester when I was working and he bolted up, just have a look at some of the horses that have beaten him & you will see he could still be well handicapped First Flow is an outsider next week & Kalashnikov is very fancied for the supreme! Quick Pick is the other one to consider, trained by a good operator in Jennie candlish this horse has won its last 2 and before that was placed behind Vinnfication who is a live outsider for next week.
14:25 Sandown
The imperial cup is as usual really competitive on paper, however I really fancy Whatswrongwithyou. He should be unbeaten this season as he got mugged by Ainchea at Sandown earlier this season. The faster they go the better for him and he should set Nicky Henderson up for next week. Gassing Golf could be interesting ew.
15:00 Sandown
The bumper is for mares only and David Pipe will be hoping his £175k purchase Queens Cave can go a little way to paying for herself in this. She won nicely at Towcester but will have to improve to beat Duhallow Gesture who has won her last 2
15:35 Sandown
This handicap chase is a weak affair and I find myself backing a 14 yo who pulled up on his last start!
Pete The Feat is an amazing horse, he just loves Sandown. I know he is a big price but it really is an odd track and if you have one that loves it follow it. Horatio Hornblower is another with Sam Twiston on board.
Let’s hope we nick a few quid before the mayhem starts next week
Head over to PaddyPower.com for the latest 2018 Cheltenham Festival Betting