After so much superb racing over the festive period, it is disappointing to see such small fields at Sandown for tomorrow’s main card in Britain. Between five and 11 runners are due to take part in the seven races at the Esher course. The quicker-than-usual ground conditions for the time of year partly account for the small turn-outs.
The Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase final (3.05 p.m.), over three miles, sees Dorset trainer Anthony Honeyball field one third of the nine runners. One of his horses, Gustavian, has been aimed at this race for some time as has Dan Skelton’s runner Le Milos, despite some indifferent form this season.
Those two horses are vying for favouritism but, at bigger odds, I would rather take a chance on an old favourite of mine from yesteryear: Evan Williams’s 11-year-old gelding ANNSAM. He was running off an official mark of 149 less than three years ago but a dip in his form means he can run off a mark of just 132 tomorrow.
He would prefer the ground to be softer but, with Jonjo O’Neill Jnr back in the saddle having ridden the horse to victory last time out at Ludlow, back Annsam 1 point each way at 10-1 with either Paddy Power or Sky Bet, both paying three places.
The key to Annsam is his jumping: sometimes he glides from and over fence to fence, other times he demolishes one obstacle after another and inevitably pays the penalty by the end of the contest.
HOT FUSS, like Annsam, would prefer the Sandown ground to have a lot more cut in it but he remains a well-handicapped horse and so I am putting him up as a bet in the Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle (3.35 p.m.).
Trainer Tom Dascombe’s five-year-old gelding has been raised just 2 lbs in the official ratings for his fine second to Wilful in the Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle (formerly the Ladbrokes Hurdle) shortly before Christmas.
Sometimes he glides from and over fence to fence, other times he demolishes one obstacle after another
The horse ran equally well at the Cheltenham Festival in March when fourth behind Puturhandstogether in the Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (better known as the ‘Fred Winter’).
Hot Fuss is due to face seven rivals today and I hope all stand their ground so the bookies pay out on three places. Back Hot Fuss 1 point each way at 9-2 with Betfred, BetVictor, Paddy Power or Sky Bet, all paying three places.
In the Watch The Unibet Racing Postcast Maiden Hurdle (12.15 p.m.), I expect trainer Lucy Wadham’s Contacto is better than he showed on his racecourse debut when fourth of 13 runners to Dan Skelton’s Kadastral.
However, tomorrow’s race only has only seven runners and so, with just two places on offer, I would rather keep my powder dry for another day. So that’s just the two bets at Sandown tomorrow. Next week, I intend to take a look at the ante-post market for the Cheltenham Festival in just over two months’ time.
Pending:
1 point each way Annsam at 10-1 for the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase final, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Hot Fuss at 9-2 for the Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Romeo Coolio at 16-1 for the Arkle Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Derryhassen Paddy at 25-1 for the Brown Advisory Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
Last weekend: + 3.625 points
2 points win Knappers Hill at 4-1 for the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Rubber Ball at 8-1 Daily Bet Boosts Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way The Jukebox Man at 13-2 for the King George VI Chase, paying 1/4 odds, 3 places. 1st. + 8.125 points
1 point each way O’Connell at 10-1for the Welsh Grand National, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. 2nd. + 1.5 points.
1 point each way Shomen Uchi at 16-1for the Welsh Grand National, paying ¼ odds, 4 places. Nor runner. – 2 points.
2025-26 jumps season: running total – 3.875 points
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for six full seasons of tipping: + 126 points
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