Friday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
Like its counterpart at Epsom earlier in the week, the Sandown Classic Trial has a somewhat patchy record when it comes to highlighting Derby winners, and has not been won by a subsequent winner of the Epsom Classic since Benny The Dip in 1997.
When Sir Michael Stoute has the winner, though, it is well worth taking note, as his three previous victories in this event have been Shergar, Shahrastani and Fantastic Light. The first two both went on to win the Derby - although the 1986 race might be better described as the one that Dancing Brave managed to lose - while Fantastic Light switched to Godolphin later in his career when his victories included the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
As a result, there is considerable interest in the fact that Stoute has chosen Sandown as the venue to launch the three-year-old career of Midterm (2.20) this afternoon. By Galileo out of the multiple Group One winner Midday, Midterm was allowed to start at 8-1 for his only start as a juvenile in a Newbury maiden last October, but it turned out to be an impressive winning debut. He is already the second-favourite for the Derby and while Ventura Quest, a winner at Newmarket’s Craven meeting, sets a fair standard, it will be disappointing if Midterm is not up to the task today on the way to even better things.
Belardo also has the benefit of a run this season ahead of the Group 2 bet365 Mile, but Toormore (2.55) has a fine record when fresh and could be the value bet at around 5-1.
Justice Law (1.20) put up an impressive performance on the clock when second at Salisbury on his final start last year and should be shorter than 10-1 for the opening handicap. Western Hymn (1.50), successful three times over course and distance including in last season’s Classic Trial, is another solid bet on the same card, while at Doncaster, Ladweb (4.55) can confirm the improvement he showed when successful at Ripon on his seasonal debut.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Perfect Pasture 14-1
Carre Noir 7-1
Englishman 7-1
Tuesday
Alzammaar 6-1
Loose Chips 9-1
Cottersrock 9-1
Wednesday
Barwick 16-1
Dark Red 12-1
No Duffer 2-1
Thursday
Alphabetical Order 7-2
Witness In Court 12-1
Conas Taoi 15-8
And our leader is:
millreef +22
… who added Witness In Court to previous impressive strikes with Englishman and Dark Red. Copshaw (+16), our previous leader, didn’t show up yesterday and is now second. Other good scores: JimmyDeuce +14, factormax +13.88, orso +7.88, 23skidoo +6.88, yasmin11 +6, zubica19 +6, Simon Popplewell +6, kingklynch +5.88, jamesstod +4, cerises +4, sandiuk +4.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.55 Sandown, 4.15 Perth, 5.05 Sandown.
This week’s prize is a copy of Timeform’s ‘Horses To Follow’ for the new Flat season, featuring 50 animals picked by Timeform’s team of experts, with plenty more to read in the features section at the back, including Irish horses to follow and ante-post tips. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day (TODAY!).
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
