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15:15 Sandown Jenny’s Surprise justified her short price when powering home in the Royal Artillery here last month despite looking beaten and jumping out to her left on numerous occasions. The handicappers 5lbs penalty looks pretty lenient on the face of it and despite the obvious jumping concerns, she is very much the one to beat today. Cowards Close was seven lengths behind Jenny’s Surprise the last day and the 5lbs swing doesn’t look enough for a reversal. There are grounds for optimism however as he does like this track and his two runs previous to last time resulted in two pulled ups. An uncomplicated type, he looks assured to be granted an easy lead and on that notion, he is taken to see most of them off and gain us some cheap place money. Minellahalfcentury is a thoroughly disappointing type who is as likely to hack up as he is to pull up, his trainer knows what it takes to land this though so any market strength would have to be respected. Wilton Milan and Arkdilly Witness are others with claims at their best though the rest look to be up against it. Cowards Close (EW if 9/2+)
15:50 Sandown This looks a very nice race for the grade and a few make their handicap debuts for powerful connections. Suit Yourself would fall firmly into both catagories and is probably a decent starting point. Pretty impressive when winning at Carlisle he looked sure to go close when sent off a 5/4 shot at Taunton the last day, as it happened he flopped but this trip will almost certainly suit. Clearly unexposed it will be very interesting to see how he goes in the market but he deserves respect and is feared. Ayalor looked like overcoming his inexperience when just failing against a more experienced type at Chepstow last time. A big rangy looking type he will surely come on for that and this extra yardage ought to suit. Bon Enfant was probably flattered to finish as close he did here the last day ( Winner was green in front ) but he had earlier rattled off two successive wins. A tough sort he is likely to run his race but the handicappers decision to hand down a 6lbs rise after that latest effort looks harsh and a place is probably his best hope. Spencer Lea and Doctor Look Here and are other with claims but a chance will be taken on Ayalor building upon the promise of his last run. Ayalor (WIN)
16:50 Ayr Verona Opera has attracted strong market support on a couple of occasions only to flop in the actual race and is becoming a little frustrating, despite this she remains totally unexposed and capable of better. A bumper winner last season she will surely land a modest contest like this before the season is out but there are obvious reasons for concern and her latest hammering was most disappointing. Question Of Faith beat the re-opposing Rioja Day 3 lengths over course and distance last time and the pair have major claims here. Strictly speaking Rioja Day really should reverse the form on these terms but he has had plenty enough chances and Question Of Faith is taken to confirm superiority despite the swing. Surprise Vendor and Morning Time are totally out of form and couldn’t be advised as such so a final chance will be afforded to Verona Opera as she is by far the least exposed of a moderate bunch. Verona Opera (WIN)