Celebration Day

This week the world of racing was turned on it's head, in particular flat racing. Mahmood Al Zarooni was banned from British Racing for 8 years, this means he cannot even set foot on a British racecourse during that time. The BHA board found him guilty of drug abuse in some of his string of horses including leading 1000 Guineas hope Certify and Opinion Poll. Nothing has been said yet as to what will happen to his horses and what trainer they will go to but one thing is for certain, the past week has been a dark one for racing.

I'm sure you have all heard enough of that story this week so we will quickly recap last week when only one winner graced us. That winner came in the form of Maureen for Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes thus staking her claims for the 1000 Guineas next week. Fentara also placed for us at 8/1 but in honesty there was nothing to write home about except for our NAP winning. This week promises to be a better one however.

Today at Sandown has always been my favourite raceday of the year with a fantastic mix of top class jumps racing and top class flat racing. Last year Sanctuaire jumped his rivals silly with a dazzling display in the Celebration Chase, this year he bids to do the same. However ex Champion Chaser Finian's Rainbow opposes seeking to refind his form after 3 very below par outings this year. Also on the card is the long waited for Bet365 Gold Cup won last year by Tidal Bay completing a Double for Paul Nicholls' yard. There doesn't seem to be a horse of Tidal Bay's class this year but nonetheless is a very competitive renewal.

On that note we begin this week's selections.

1:30 Sandown - Counsel

Donald McCain's yard were badly out of form when Counsel ran so badly in the Fred Winter and that run can be easily forgotten about. Since then he has come out and won by 40 lengths at Sedgefield in a very easy race, but he still looked to have a lot of class about him. He went from the front that day and was given a pretty easy lead but is unlikely to get that today, however that isn't a necessity. Before then he was a ready winner at Bangor when winning nicely in a good novice hurdle before beaten at Doncaster. He was an eyecatcher that day and wasn't beaten far by Triumph Hurdle 3rd Sametegal. Handicaps definitely look his thing and the one time useful flat horse can add a big win to his name over jumps. It is also worth noting that Lexi's Boy won this race for connections last year. (6/1)

2:10 Leicester - Santo Prince

Santo Prince is by the top class Henrythenavigator and was also a selection on this blog last time out when down the field at Yarmouth. He was 8th that day but in truth he could have been closer than the 8 lengths he was beaten and he very much needed the outing. Hayley Turner rode that day and the whip never changed position in her hand and it definitely wasn't an effort of a fully wound up horse. There is no doubt that he will improve for that run and should be much closer from a pound lower in the ratings. One last thing to mention is that Hayley Turner comes to Leicester for one ride before going to Doncaster for this evening's action. Very strongly fancied and way too big of a price. (12/1)

2:40 Sandown - Sanctuaire & Sire De Grugy

Sanctuaire hasn't been hard pressed this year but has run some useful races including a win at Kempton in a Grade 2. This race has been branded as 'his Gold Cup' for the year by trainer Paul Nicholls after winning in emphatic style last season. A repeat of that form will see him go in again here but he will need to step up on his form a little, but I have no doubt he will do just that. Personally I hope they ping him out in front and let him dominate like last year, but they have only tried that once this year and holding him up is no good. The very Headstrong Sanctuaire can land this for the second year running. (7/2) Also worth a mention is Sire De Grugy for the Gary Moore yard who was once a good handicap hurdler and has looked a class chaser. He got himself injured over the winter and came back at Aintree when he needed it fairly badly, it was still a promising run however. Since then he has hacked up in a very poor race at Stratford as he should have. Unfortunately Pricewise has got him but still could be each way value and one to be with Sanctuaire in a reverse forecast. (7/1)

3:50 Sandown - Duke Of Lucca

As always a tough race to pick the winner of, Hadrian's Approach is a horse I very much like but his jumping shouldn't be good enough to win here. Philip Hobbs saddles two here and we go for what seems his second string with the Consisten Duke Of Lucca for Tom O'Brien. He has shown he can be competitive off this mark with a third in the Racing Plus Chase before a distant 6th at Aintree behind Battle Group. He was a high class hurdler that quickly turned his attention to chasing instantly taking to it and he has been consistent ever since. This extreme test of stamina will be right up his street and as long as he jumps well should take some beating at a healthy price. (20/1)

Also worth noting that if Dovers Hill is fit, he has his ground this year and can go well after last years exertions.

5:30 Sandown - Poetic Lord

The ex Richard Hannon inmate is one that I have followed for sometime repaying that faith with a few places from time to time. But this season since being gelded has been a lot better for Sylvester Kirk and Ryan Moore including a win 2 days ago at Lingfield but will be very ready today. He will enjoy the return to turf over a mile and a course like Sandown will utilise his stamina reserves. Dane O'Neill takes the ride today and despite the six pound penalty he can go in again and remain a horse on an upward curve. (8/1)


NAP - Counsel
Nb - Sanctuaire

If you have a bet today then good luck, if not then I'm sure you will enjoy the racing nonetheless, so sit back and enjoy the viewing today.

Happy Punting Guys!