Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five to consider at Chester, Sandown and Beverley on Saturday. View selections below.
ON a low-key Saturday, it might be prudent to mix a few seasoned handicappers in each-way doubles and trebles. Top of the list is LICENCE TO TILL (4.00) in a 17-runner handicap at Sandown. Mark Johnston’s five-year-old was a bit unlucky at York behind Danadana, having been squeezed out at a vital stage. The gelding was despatched to Newmarket only three days later and again ran with credit, although no match for Sir Henry Cecil’s very impressive winner Specific Gravity. Licence To Till should be able to assume a prominent pitch from his low draw and, with four places up for grabs, he appeals as the best each-way option.
At Chester, another Johnston handicapper, BANNOCK (3.05), reappears after a cracking effort at York when chasing home Gordon Lord Byron. That’s smart form and the three-year-old isn’t too badly drawn in stall eight (of 17). It’s time to indulge yourself in another rare 1-2-3-4 punting opportunity.
Later on the Roodee card, SUZI’S A CLASS ACT (4.55) has been in rampant form and is fancied to complete a summer hat-trick in the stayers’ handicap, despite another 7lb rise. She is clearly a filly at the top of her game and box three is a terrific pitch for a horse that likes to race prominently.
At Beverley, that man Johnston sends out the admirable COPPERWOOD (2.40) for his 14th outing since May. Already a winner three times this summer, Copperwood found nine furlongs at Epsom just beyond him earlier this week but still ran really well behind Maverick. This extended seven-furlong trip, from a draw near the fence, is more up his street.
SANGAR (5.25) drops into lowly Class 6 company for the first time in 14 months and is screaming to be supported each-way in this apprentices’ event. Ollie Pears’ handicapper doesn’t always find a lot in the closing stages but was only touched off by a nose over nine furlongs at Musselburgh in late July. Sangar has a lovely draw and an excellent young rider in Jacob Butterfield.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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