Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Sandown Park and Musselburgh on Saturday. View selections below.
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GOOD BOY BOBBY (2.45) can land a competitive renewal of the Betway Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at soggy Sandown.
Running in the distinctive yellow and black colours of Paul and Clare Rooney, Good Boy Bobby produced a career-best performance last time at Cheltenham when chasing home very talented Mister Fisher. The front two pulled 15 lengths clear and Good Boy Bobby wins the vote over last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third Itchy Feet and the up-in-trip Grand Sancy.
GOLAN FORTUNE (3.00) is one of several in with a shout in the Betway Heroes Handicap Hurdle. He was off the track for a long period after finishing second to subsequent RSA Chase winner Topofthegame in this race two years ago but proved he retained all his old ability when scoring at Cheltenham’s big November meeting, beating Eminent Poet and Tobefair.
Phil Middleton’s gelding can edge out Bold Plan, an early casualty when made favourite at Ascot in the handicap won in handsome fashion by Thomas Darby. Ask Dillon ran well in third behind Eva’s Oskar at Chepstow in mid-December but that winner finished down the field in Golan Fortune’s race at Cheltenham.
CLASSIC BEN (3.35) bids to repeat last year’s victory in the handicap chase when edging out Ami Desbois by a neck and finds himself 9lb better off with that rival. He faded into third over 3m 4f at Haydock last time but this three-mile trip is more suitable.
Southern stables should enjoy some rich pickings at Musselburgh. Paul Nicholls scooped the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle two years ago with Diego Du Charmil and relies on useful mare MIRANDA (2.05), the mount of Bryony Frost. Miranda has been raised 9lb for her latest victory at Kempton’s Christmas fixture when accounting for hot favourite Elusive Belle but is on the upgrade. Better can be expected from Sebastopol now that a tongue-tie is fitted on the back of a disappointing effort when well touted at Huntingdon.
Nicholls has a fancied runner in dual hurdles winner Greaneteen in the bet365 Scottish Champion Chase but slight preference is for LOCKER ROOM TALK (2.40). Nigel Twiston-Davies has kept him mostly to right-handed tracks and the gelding is on a hat-trick following successes at Sandown and Taunton. His aggressive front-running style should be well suited to this tight circuit.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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