Image courtesy of RaceHorsePhotos.co.uk
By Charlie McCann
IT IS Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown on Friday and Lance Bombardier Jody Sole is looking for a personal hat-trick in the race having ridden the winners in both 2011 (Blu Teen) and 12-months ago when he steered Merrion Square home for trainer Paul Nicholls. The latter has an excellent record in the race and he saddles Polisky this afternoon with Sole in the plate, but preference is for Solix (3.05) who has been running consistently well of late including in a first time visor last time.
His jockey Captain Harry Wallace rode the 25/1 winner of the corresponding race two years ago Masked Man and, as long as he doesn’t go off too fast up front, he must go close for the stable of Ian Williams whose string continue to run well.
Greywell Boy won the 2m Handicap Chase on the card 12-months ago and must go close to a repeat off only a 4lb higher mark; he is beginning to look very well handicapped as is Coolbeg at the foot of the weights but I am going to give top-weight Wings Of Smoke (2.30) another chance especially with the ground drying out.
The grey travelled like much the best horse when runner up at Haydock when last seen back in December and the winner (Granville Island) has subsequently franked the form. He finished third to John’s Spirit over further here back in December 2012 and a repeat of that run would make him very difficult to beat.
The well backed Westaway (3.40) ran away with a Newbury handicap earlier in the month and is hard to oppose under a 7lb penalty for David Arbuthnot. A winning pointer he will make a decent handicap chaser next season and is officially 5lbs well in even allowing for the 7lb impost.
At Leicester I am sweet on the chances of Taffy Thomas (3.50) going back right-handed having made mistakes at a significant time at Fakenham last time. He is 2lbs lower today and is 6lbs lower than when last successful. The yard of Peter Bowen have not been in the best of form and that does temper confidence, but his young amateur is good value for his 7lb claim and I would be disappointed if he didn’t go very close.
At Ayr Wicklow Lad is running from a career high mark but is in the form of his life but I am hoping to see the veteran Stormin Exit (4.35) win the race for a second time having scored three years ago off a 6lb higher mark for Jim Goldie. The selection has a massive turn round with Wicklow Lad on running earlier in the season and this return to 2m 4f will certainly suit.
Twelve top-class Chasers were entered at the six-day stage for the BetVictor.com Queen Mother Champion Chase the feature race on the second day of next week’s Cheltenham Festival. Favourite Sire De Grugy is out to 9/4 with BetVictor and we are 5/1 Bar.
For all your racing odds check out BetVictor.com
