We are treated to seven live races on ITV this Saturday afternoon. Four of them come from Sandown’s Premier Raceday, with the other three beamed from Wincanton. All are over the jumps.
We’ve made a selection for each live race, beginning with a tight little contest over two and a half miles.
1.50 Sandown
If we’re right, we could make a hugely profitable start to the day here by backing Evan Williams’ Carbon King. If the ground is to his liking on the day, he can prove to be well handicapped and is way too big at 20/1 on the first betting show.
Still just an eight-year-old, Carbon King has more to offer yet and shouldn’t be judged on his latest performances. He seems to be just coming to himself about now and we must remember the rout he handed down at Uttoxeter back in the spring.
In that form at these weights, he’s huge value up against the likes of Hunter Legend (second choice), Triple Trade and Roccovango.
Selection: Carbon King
2.05 Wincanton
The first live race from Wincanton has an open look to it with six of the eleven runner field at single figures in the betting.
Our Dylan won well at Exeter early in December and hasn’t finished outside the top three in his last six races with three wins during that spell which stretches back to April.
Carrying 11-11 will be a challenge on soft ground but the nine-year-old can get the job done ahead of younger rivals in Soldier’s Leap and St Lukes Chelsea.
Selection: Our Dylan
2.25 Sandown
This is the Listed mares’ hurdle, the best quality race of the day even if most of the betting action will be elsewhere.
There’s a clear first choice here in the shape of Della Casa Lunga. Though only having run eight days ago, she is thriving right now and was most recently a good winner of a handicap at Kempton’s Christmas meeting.
She can get the job done ahead of the improving Dameofthecotswolds and The Lord Maid.
Selection: Della Casa Lunga
2.40 Wincanton
The popular Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase is our next race, one in which we expect Tom Lacey’s Nocte Volatus to go off favourite.
Our choice however is Le Ligerien, the mount of Tom Bellamy for trainer Joe Tizzard. The twelve-year-old is a last-time-out winner and, unlike the rest of his rivals, looks about set to equal or match his career best over fences which in this company gives him a huge chance.
Quel Destin is next on the list ahead of the favourite.
Selection: Le Ligerien
3.00 Sandown
We have another veterans’ race at Sandown, this time the final of the 2024 Veterans’ Chase Series. There’s £51,000 up for grabs for the winner, fitting really after what a number of these horses have achieved in their racing careers.
Fortescue might be too big a price for Henry Daly, while Eldorado Allen will understandably challenge for favouritism. The one we like best however is Anthony Honeyball’s Sam Brown.
Though not at his best last time in the Coral Gold Cup, Sam Brown has largely been keeping his form right up to the age of 13 and he has at least one last good prize in him. Chad Bament takes off some valuable weight as a claimer.
Selection: Sam Brown
3.15 Wincanton
There cold be some value here in backing Robbie Llewellyn’s Love Of Neymore. The mare remains on the up in novice and handicap hurdles and she might just have something in hand here at the weights.
It is a close one in fairness with Kado De Joie and Latin Verse hot on her heels according to our ratings.
Selection: Love Of Neymore
3.35 Sandown
The last of our live races on Saturday is back at Sandown, this time a two-mile handicap hurdle. Navajo Indy and Spirits Bay should go well, but Oh My Johnny could be a value shout.
It was such as easy win for him last time out at Uttoxeter and he remains well handicapped. He also comes from a top yard, that of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White.
Selection: Oh My Johnny