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14:30 Sandown
Sandown Park can be an unforgiving place if a horse is any way uncomfortable with a testing track; the form of a horse can easily go out of the window here. Nicky Henderson runs Broxbourne in the 14:30 and whilst he is not the highest rated on the official ratings his two runs previously would make him a big danger in this listed race. His win at Fakenham was very comfortable and although he didn’t really beat anyone that day, the margin and ease of his victory as a novice made for good viewing. His next run came at Newbury the last day and he was 3rd in behind two very nice types who have gone on to frank the form. Naturally, with this being a listed race, there are a few dangers to the selection and there are things to consider with the greenness of the horses and the question over their jumping being worth a look. It would pretty much fill the whole column to look through the entire card as I feel all of them have an argument here but it is worth noting that Willie Mullins sends one over that Ruby Walsh is on board. Given Walsh’s decision to restrict his trips to the UK this is an interesting development and Uranna has run two nice races to date. There should also be consideration given to Ballyhollow and Briery Belle too.
Broxbourne (E/W if 5/1+)
14:50 Fakenham
Our second selection today takes in a class 3 handicap chase at the Norfolk track for whom there are a couple of course and distance winners taking their chances. Midnight Charmer will be a tough nut to crack here and could come with a later run. He was a winner last time out and that was impressive enough. James Banks gave one of the rides of the month yesterday with a sublime working effort on Strawberry Hill over at Fontwell, and he is on board today. Yet the highly impressive Full Ov Beans is the selection here and his excellent form around this track is definitely worth noting. In the 10 runs he has had here he has won 6 times, placed 2nd on two occasions and pulled up (presumably with a particular problem) each of the other two times. That is a huge pointer here and I will be hoping he can get his head in front again and extend his excellent record around this place. Arctic Ben and Gone Too Far may fight it out for minor money.
Full Ov Beans (WIN)
16:15 Sandown
Again there are some decent types in this race and a selection which I have found to have a run his race each time is running in the class 3 handicap chase. Un Majeur Aulmes is a horse that always runs his heart out and despite his fifth at Cheltenham on trials day I put his name down in my notebook as one to watch out for. He has subsequently ran two good placed efforts and this could be another one where he at least hits the frame. Naturally with the race card being a very good one there are some very decent types in opposition here and certainly Cayman Islands would be a danger. John Ferguson often has some stellar jockeys riding his horses and has the excellent Barry Geraghty on board here. Paddy the Stout and Nozic could also threaten the selection but I am willing to give another chance to the French import here and hope he at least hits the place money. This could be another tight one with plenty of quality on show and should be a very decent watch.
Un Majeur Aulmes (WIN)