by Charlie McCann
Four races live on Channel 4 this afternoon from Sandown Park beginning with the Esher Cup a handicap for the classic generation run over the extended mile. Mutarakez could be the best of the Sheikh Hamdan owned trio for Brian Meehan but I am going to take a chance on Purple Rock (1.30) for Charlie Hills.
The selection won a good ground Redcar maiden on his second start, is well drawn in three, holds Dante and Derby entries and jockey Cam Hardie takes off a valuable 3lbs. At 5/1 with BetVictor he looks sure to run well although he will get further in time.
Two of my older horses to follow this term go head-to-head in the Gordon Richard Stakes and marginal preference is for Cannock Chase (2.00) over Postponed in what promises to be a cracker. The selection, 2/1 at BetVictor, represents the stable of Sir Michael Stoute who landed a hat-trick in the race from 2008-10 with Ask, Tartan Bearer and Glass Harmonium.
When you consider the last two winners of the event have been the 1-2 in last year's epic Champion Stakes Al Kazeem (2013) and Noble Mission (2014) you get some indication that this is an ideal starting point for genuine Group 1 horses over 10 furlongs.
I just feel Postponed might be a better horse over 12f later this year, although he doesn't have an entry for the Coronation Cup, and a couple of the Luca Cumani trained runners looked in need of the run at Epsom earlier in the week.
In the absence of the unbeaten French colt Grey Lion Commemorative (3.00) can give weight to his four rivals in the Classic Trial. The colt made all to win the Gp 3 Autumn Stakes and, whilst his stamina is not guaranteed, he is taken to score with underfoot conditions ideal.
Waady (3.35) has been raised 7lbs for winning at Nottingham on soft ground earlier in the month and might have to have luck in running from stall one as he likes to be held up, but there is plenty of pace in the race and he can follow up in an ultra-competitive sprint.
Jack Hobbs (4.45) went to the wicket with a lofty reputation on debut at Wolverhampton over Christmas, pulling hard, racing wide but still coming home three lengths clear of his field. Dettori takes over for John Gosden who has no history of calling geese swans. The colt still has an entry in the Dante and the Derby and those engagements would look rather fanciful if he didn't run very well this afternoon.
At Doncaster Birdman (1.20) is impossible to oppose given the ease of last weekend's Thirsk success on his debut for David O'Meara who continues to consistently improve horses from other yards.
At Perth the ground had gone against Owen Na View (2.40) when he pulled up under a 7lb penalty at Newbury last time and, as long as the forecasters have it right, the ground should be ideal for this son of Presenting. The official going description of good was well wide of the mark at the Berkshire track last time and he loves to hear his hooves rattle. Rain is forecast for Perth on Friday but is not due to arrive until the evening.
For all your racing odds check out BetVictor.com
