O’Connell can get us on the path to profit
O’Connell Street (1.00) is a fascinating raider in the Novices’ Handicap Chase at Sandown.
Fast-rising My Mate Mozzie is a real punters’ pal in Navan feature
Gordon Elliott has returned from his suspension full of verve and determined to get right back into the groove and he’s made a sharp start.
With so much firepower, Elliott is selective with his travels across the Irish Sea and doesn’t waste petrol money.
O’Connell Street last came across the water to win easily at Perth during the summer and he returns for a winnable contest in Esher.
The seven-year-old is left on an unchanged mark after previous outing at Gowran and Sean Bowen takes the ride.
WANDRIN STAR (3.15) is worth a shot in the Veterans’ Handicap Chase.
Kim Bailey’s yard is not in the strongest form but this 10-year-old has bags of ability and, crucially, a brilliant record first time out.
In the past three seasons, Wandrin Star has finished first twice and second on the other occasion on his seasonal reappearance.
That angle is a way into this race with a double-figure price possible. Sadly, there’s only seven runners which hampers the each-way plotting, so I’ll just try a small win-only dart.
Gary Moore’s yard has been in scintillating form and HUDSON DE GRUGY (2.45) is one to watch in the two-miler.
The hurdler is amongst a talented batch of young horses in the care of the handler and he’s fancied to make a winning start to the season.
The four-year-old loves Sandown as shown by being two out of two at the track during last season and that’s more than enough to tempt me into a bet here.
Ffos Las go in Wales and there’s also a couple of interesting angles into that meeting.
APACHE CREEK (3.40) won a couple of races last term and began with a runner-up finish on his return at Ludlow.
SHAKEM UP’ARRY (1.55) was good over timber and now goes chasing with high hopes about his potential for the old football manager Harry Redknapp in the novice chase.
Redknapp’s yak was good enough to come second in a Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle and any repetition of that standard will see him win here.
Irish action takes place at Navan and the racing is absolutely top-class with a host of stars hitting the track.
Amongst them is the defending Stayers’ Hurdle champion Flooring Porter who kickstarts the defence of that crown at Cheltenham next March in the Lismullen Hurdle.
The six-year-old will not be fully tuned up today with a long season ahead and too much of a risk in terms of betting.
However, trainer Gavin Cromwell also saddles MY MATE MOZZIE (12.40) in the For Auction Novices’ Hurdle and he should maintain an unblemished record.
SAMCRO (2.55) was once seen as the Second Coming over fences and a brilliant hurdling career did nothing to damage that reputation.
It hasn’t been quite as wonderful over fences but he was still smart enough to win a Ryanair at the Festival and can sink Notebook in the Fortria.