ROC IS THE PIC OF THE BUNCH
BEN PAULING is on course for his best ever season in terms of winners and prize money and he can enjoy a red letter day at Sandown.
His Jipcot is fancied to win the big race (see page one) but he has strong claims of taking home a chunk of the supporting card prize money at the Esher track too.
The EBF Final is always one of the trickiest puzzles of the jumps season with so many embryonic chasers pitting their wits over timber.
Pauling throws three darts at the €90,000 contest and all three of his beasts have a chance.
But PIC ROC (1.50) looks the best of the trio at around the 12-1 mark.
Skipped
The six-year-old skipped nicely clear of the useful Inthewaterside to score at Ascot three weeks ago and is progressing well.
This race is usually informative with the future in mind but it can be a real test of stamina if the ground becomes tacky and testing up the Sandown hill.
Westerninthepark at 16-1 is an appealing eachway alternative.
Pauling’s I’VE MADEUPMYMIND (3.00) gets the vote in the Listed Mares’ Bumper.
She made a good impression at Wincanton when just outpointed by an impressive Paul Nicholls newcomer Jubilee Alpha.
I’ve Madeupmymind travelled well during the race and the front two pulled almost 10 lengths clear of the third.
The 10lb age allowance could make the difference against her own sex.
TERRESITA (3.35) was a decisive winner at Ludlow on her last start and is given the nod in the Betfair Serial Winners Fund Novices’ Chase.
She’s taken a hike in the weights but the track and ground will suit he Gavin Sheehan-ridden mare.
The ITV cameras are also at the all-weather card at Wolverhampton where the progressive DOCTOR KHAN JUNIOR (2.40) is in at the deep end in the Listed BETMGM Lady Wulfruna stakes.
He has gone up 25lb in 12 months and has reeled off a four-timer recently .
Shouldvebeenaring and Nine Tenths offer stern opposition but Geoff Oldroyd’s five-year-old is bang in form and on a roll.
Charlie Fellowes thinks a lot of SMOKY MOUNTAIN (3.15) and the four year old looks nicely weighted in the BETMGM Lincoln Trial Handicap. He has a decent berth in stall one and should relish the mile trip.