Saturday 31st August

Country Is Still Well Handicapped To Conquer At Sandown And Sheepscar Lad Can Strike At Beverley

NAP – Country 2:25 Sandown 5/2

My NAP this weekend comes at Sandown in the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap in Country. William Haggas’s gelded son of Dubawi has not looked back this summer after a gelding operation in the spring, winning a novice race at Ripon and a handicap at Redcar most recently. In first time cheekpieces he won much more cosily than the winning margin of half a length suggests last time. Coming from off the pace at a track that tends to favour front runners and prominent racers, this makes me want to upgrade that run slightly and a rise of 5lb to todays mark of 93 does not seem too harsh.

He is drawn to attack in stall 1 this afternoon and with a more prominent ride from Liam Jones, I can see plenty more improvement yet to come from this horse. His rivals looks relatively exposed in the context of this race and it would be no surprise at all to see Country improve past them and being competitive in bigger targets later this season,

5/2 is a decent win bet in my eyes.

NB (Next Best) – Sheepscar Lad 3:50 Beverley 11/2

My NB this weekend comes at Beverley in the Constant Security Handicap in Sheepscar Lad. Nigel Tinkler’s gelding is a horse that likes to be delivered late, he was unlucky to be picked up over course and distance by the re opposing Atyaaf when probably hitting the front a bit too early. On another day the result could of been different.

The draw can be very important around Beverley, with inside draws being very favorable in recent years. This horse is drawn in 4 this afternoon, which should give jockey Faye McManoman options from there.  He is still 11lb below his latest winning mark and with McManoman’s claim of 5lb, he looks even better treated on his old form.

There should be plenty of pace on here and the race looks sure to suit this late closer. With a bit of a luck running it will be hard to see this horse out of the frame at the least.

11/2 is a fair each way bet to me for a horse that has a huge chance of going one better than last time.