Today’s TV races
Sandown serves up a half-portion Grand National as its main betting event on Saturday. Nineteen ageing chasers will line up for the Veterans’ Series Final, all of them capable of landing the prize if somewhere close to their best.
Of course, the game will be working out which of them is still sufficiently motivated to have a proper cut at this contest, which may turn into a slog if the overnight rain is as heavy as forecast. Frosts this week could also turn the ground into more of a test than a description of “good to soft” would indicate.
That’s good news for Cloudy Too (3.00), whose four wins on a heavy surface mark him out as tough but by no means quick. Speed was not the main issue in last year’s renewal of this contest and the ability to keep on plodding may again be the most valuable asset.
Cloudy Too is in sufficiently good heart this winter to have won over hurdles for the first time in four years. He wasn’t quick enough for Gas Line Boy at Kelso last time but is 11lb better off with that rival and will relish the greater emphasis on stamina this race seems sure to provide.
His rating of 140 is just 1lb higher than when he was a 15-length winner of the Peter Marsh last January and 8lb below the mark from which he won the Rowland Meyrick in 2013. This could well be the day to catch him and 14-1 makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Saint Are also looks overpriced at 20-1 for such a classy sort, who is also now close to his last winning mark. His season has been a non-event so far but we are approaching the time of year at which he typically recovers his form.
1.50 Sandown Since winning this race last year Bold Henry has achieved nothing but is only 4lb higher and could easily bounce back to winning ways at 8-1 or so. He showed up well for a fair way on his Cheltenham reappearance, an outing that was probably needed. By the look of his rivals, this could be run at a fair pace, which would help.
2.05 Wincanton The ex-French Walk In The Mill may have taken a year to acclimatise, judging by the improvement he showed when scoring on his reappearance at Exeter in November. A few extra pounds won’t stop him on that evidence.
2.25 Sandown Capitaine was impressive at Ascot but this race may require a return to the sort of testing surface which did not suit him so well at Haydock in his previous outing. The grey could end up as a sitting duck for Finian’s Oscar, a really promising animal on the strength of his Hereford romp last month, his hurdles debut.
2.40 Wincanton A winning pointer some three years ago, Clondaw Banker seems sure to show improvement now that he goes over fences, his handicap mark being based on his hurdles form. He comes from the Nicky Henderson yard that is doing much better with its chasers than a couple of seasons back and his fitness can probably be taken on trust for this first run in nine months.
3.15 Wincanton A stylish winner at Carlisle in December, Above Board looks leniently treated for this handicap debut. Jonjo O’Neill has not been sending out many winners but this one looks hard to oppose.
3.35 Sandown The dry autumn was no help to Cloonacool, who may be seen in a better light this time. He has won from higher marks over hurdles and fences. The combination of first-time blinkers and Paddy Brennan taking over in the saddle could make a difference.
