Feature jumps racing is the focus at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday, headlined by the Grand National Hurdle (4200m). The weather is fine, the track is soft (7) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
Grand National Hurdle 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Grand National Hurdle
Race 1. (11:45) Crisp Steeplechase 4200m
5 Social Element (Bet Now: $2.40) just picks himself. He has taken over as top dog of the Steeple caper, recording a couple of dominant wins at Warrnambool before going to Pakenham when bolting up in the Mosstrooper. He handles all conditions and I think has more in the tank. $2.40/thereabouts is more than acceptable.
4 Big Blue (Bet Now: $4.80) has more upside than most and is a definite threat with his best. He went to Cheltenham back in March last year and did Australia proud. Resumed in a maiden steeple at Pakenham and was there to be beaten but found plenty under pressure to win. The wetter the better for him so the rain forecast for Saturday, he will want Sandown to cop a proper drenching.
2 Bit Of A Lad (Bet Now: $11.00) has a good record at Sandown and ran third in this race last year so he’s a proven big time performer. Resumed in the Thackeray at Warrnambool and stuck to the task really well in defeat behind The Dominator. Doubt he wins, but a must for exotics.
Race 2. (12:25) Ladbrokes Same Race Multi-bm64 1200m
8 Another Engagement (Bet Now: $4.60) looks to have a decent engine under the hood for the Freedman team. Unwanted in betting when debuting at Moe but gee you had to like the way she charged home from off the speed to win and win well in solid time. Should eat up 1200m, strong late and in as astute camp.
1 Cecil Street Lad (Bet Now: $3.20) is a Richard Laming trained three year old that had jumped out quite well prior to debuting at Sandown a tick under three weeks ago. He tracked up nicely in the run before being presented clear air. He took a few strides to get into his work but loved the way he picked up and closed off to win. Confident he cam run well at this level.
9 Who Shot Suzy (Bet Now: $14.00) is an Ellerton/Zahra filly that comes to town off the back of a maiden win on the Synthetic at Ballarat. Was on speed throughout before being clicked up in the straight and she was strong late in winning. A winner has come out of that race and though drawn awkwardly, I think she has to be respected.
Race 3. (13:05) Ladbrokes Easy Form Hcp (c1) 1200m
Playing a straight bat with 1 Nantucket (Bet Now: $8.00). He resumed over 1000m on the Hillside course where he got back to last in the run, and over 1000m, that was never going to be a winning recipe. Senior jock takes over and drawn the inside gate, I’d like to think he’ll settle much closer in the run and prove hard to beat.
3 So Risque (Bet Now: $5.50 TOP ODDS) is a few weeks between runs since racing over 1300m on the Hillside track here. He had a suck run behind the speed and looked to be out in time to win. Just couldn’t quite get there when third Barragunda. Perhaps getting outside horses with clear air, you’ll see a different horse.
7 Django Express (Bet Now: $17.00) has the Team Hawkes polish and commands respect. Debuted in a maiden at Ballarat on quite testing ground. Attempted to lead throughout and gave a really good kick but was nabbed late. This isn’t a strong Class 1 so keen to see how he goes.
Race 4. (13:45) Ladbrokes Hrdl (bm120) 3400m
Bit surprised that 4 Light Pillar (Bet Now: $3.40) is so far away from his stablemate in betting. They should be much closer together I feel because Light Pillar was outstanding when winning his maiden hurdle at Pakenham, winning by a space and having plenty up the sleeve. He is on the up and for mine is a better betting option at the price.
2 Mawaany Machine (Bet Now: $1.95) is the one to beat on current form but even money is short enough. But, he has the runs on the board given he won a similar race to this at Pakenham last start and was strong to the line in winning given he was challenged at various stages. He’s the one they have to beat.
7 Tamarack (Bet Now: $7.00) is a jumper on the up for Eric Musgrove and comes here as a last start maiden winner at Sale. Wasn’t the strongest field he beat up, but he was quite dominant, and is a capable flat horse at his best, so while I doubt he wins, he’s a first four threat.
Race 5. (14:25) Grand National Hrdl 4200m
I’m going with 6 Inayforhay (Bet Now: $9.50). Paul Preusker trained jumper that was the rising star last season with a couple of outstanding hurdle wins. His prep this time in has been somewhat difficult with interruptions, hiccups, a non start in there as well. His best is good enough to beat these and he looks decent enough odds at near double figures.
2 Norway (Bet Now: $3.40) looks this seasons rising star of hurdling. 2/2 over the jumps, bolting up to win the maiden at Warrnambool before proving that was no fluke when giving his rivals a spanking at Pakenham. Good test here, but confident he can measure up against the big boys.
Not sure 3 Instigator (Bet Now: $19.00) wins, but can entertain him as a first four threat. Ran third to Norway in the Pakenham race mentioned above. He was near the speed throughout and tried his heart out, sticking on very well in defeat to place. He’ll run his usual honest race.
Race 6. (15:05) Ladbrokes Switch (bm64) 2400m
15 Swindon Lass (Bet Now: $3.20) is a Matty Brown trained filly that is on top for me. Ran third to Red Santa at Caulfield three weeks ago where she was behind the speed and tracked up well. Tried hard but just lacked the class. This looks a winnable race for her and should be strong at the end.
16 Alovelybrownhorse (Bet Now: $5.50) is a Greg Eurell trained mare that should prove to be a leading contender here. Ran over 2000m at Ballarat a few weeks ago and worked to the line okay despite seemingly having her chance late behind handy SA galloper Capricorn Ridge. Dangerous if gate one is used to advantage.
6 Heberite (Bet Now: $8.00) is a very interesting runner. Former Kiwi that makes his Australian debut for the Maher/Eustace camp. His last run came six weeks ago on a bottomless track at Oamaru when lapping up the mud. The wetter the better for him here and is a market watch for sure.
Race 7. (15:45) Ladbrokes Bet Ticker (bm64) 1600m
10 Mr Brightside (Bet Now: $2.35) is on top, but from a price perspective, $3/thereabouts is on the short side and I’d want $4+ before diving in. I thought it was a peach steer from Williams to win on him in a maiden at Geelong last time. He made a mess of them and was dominant, winning by five lengths. That was 1400m and off that, 1600m here should be fine.
6 Unfair Dismissal (Bet Now: $8.50) is a beauty for the Noonan camp that is just honest and tries hard. That was the case at over this track/distance last time out, just getting pipped for the win by a Saturday class horse, Barbie’s Fox. Lands on speed here and proves tough to get past I’d suggest.
13 Choisir Lane (Bet Now: $14.00) is a Price/Kent trained mare that gets a couple of key gear changes, notably Jamie Kah first time. She resumed over 1400m on the Hillside track here when wide throughout and just felt the pinch late. Draws to get a soft run in transit and is a knockout chance.
Race 8. (16:20) Ladbrokes Split Multi (bm64) 1300m
I’m with 15 Bronza (Bet Now: $3.00), who makes his Australian debut for the Price/Kent team. Debuted at Rotorua in May in NZ and produced a big finale from the back to get up and win. Wasn’t expected given he was a $21 chance, but now in Australia, with gate one and Jamie Kah, as well as a nice jumpout under the belt, he’ll do me.
6 Bottom Line (Bet Now: $10.00) should be suited back to 1300m for Phillip Stokes. Few weeks between runs since racing over the mile on the Hillside track where he seemed to have his chance behind Toff Choice, but far from disgraced. Should land in a lovely spot from the draw and has race fitness on his side.
2 Tanker (Bet Now: $9.50) is a very interesting runner. Maher/Eustace camp trained three year old that resumes after a two run Summer prep where he was beaten by a combined 40 lengths, failing to beat a runner home. Been given a good break and has jumped out well, so watch the market.
Race 9. (16:55) Ladbrokes Punter Assist (bm64) 1300m
10 Jay Gatsby (Bet Now: $4.20) on top in the get out. Team Hayes trained four year old that should relish the extra 100m after racing over 1200m here last time when a closing second to Rock In The Park, who ran well at the Valley yesterday, so the form reads well for a race like this.
The Moor/Lane combo should always be respected so 9 Moor Wanted (Bet Now: $9.50) is a definite winning chance here. Little while between wins but he hasn’t been far away of late, his latest run being a third to Sessions Road on the Hillside track a few weeks ago. Lobs into a lovely spot from the draw and is hard to beat.
1 Copper Fox (Bet Now: $12.00) is a talented animal for Henry Dwyer that produced an electric finale from the back to win fresh at Geelong. Helped by a brilliant ground saving trip from Poy, he finished best and was strong late in winning comfortably. Two time second up winner, he’s a definite winning threat.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race One Number 5 Social Element
NEXT BEST: Race Four Number 4 Light Pillar
LONG SHOT: Race Five Number 6 Inayforhay
Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):
Leg One: 3, 6, 9, 15, 16
Leg Two: 2, 6, 10, 13
Leg Three: 2, 5, 6, 15
Leg Four: 1, 3, 9, 10, 13
$50 Investment = 12.50% of the dividend if successful
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