7th December 2012

We’re now only one day away from this weekend’s fantastic racing and Sandown’s Tingle Creek meeting starts today to get us in the mood. This is a good time however to mention the competition I will be running over the weekend. I have a SIGNED copy of Paul Nicholls’ autobiography to give away and will be allowing you all to take the opportunity to become the tipster for the weekend. If you wish to enter this competition the rules are as follows.

You must enter 3 horses racing on Saturday, with the winner being the person whose 3 horses produce the biggest profit based on Betfair starting prices (to produce the least risk of variation between bookmakers). Each horse is eligible for a £5 bet, either solely to win or £2.50 each way, and if there is a tie at the top of the leaderboard, the competition will run into Sunday where further information will be provided if necessary. Entrants are encouraged to enter via Twitter by tweeting their 3 horses to @thehorsewhisp and to include the hashtag #THWcomp but entrants will also be accepted by commenting on this blog post and Saturday’s (which should be available at the bottom of each post). Entrance will close at 11am Saturday morning and is open to any UK and Irish race meeting for Saturday. Good luck!

But before then we have Friday’s racing to look forward to and here are the best selections.

13.10 Sandown

This looks a competitive event with several in with a chance. Johns Spirit heads the weights and will have his supporters with AP in the saddle. He’s not looked as solid though this season and although he placed over two and a half miles last year, it is yet to be seen whether this is the right trip for him. He’s not seen his last two races out strongly so I would be a little surprised if the step up will help. Thanks For Coming had to cope with Overturn last time and did as well as could be expected. He has to be considered, especially as he ran well off a higher mark over hurdles so there could be some room for improvement in him, but we can almost guarantee some in WINGS OF SMOKE. Winner off a mark of 120 a week ago with a 3 pound claimer, he gets to race today off the same mark with an extra couple of pounds added to his claimer. He was finishing very strongly that day so this step up in trip should suit, and the form has since been franked by Drumshambo who won midweek off a mark of 120 as well. Fairy Rath may find it hard to beat the selection with the adjusted weights taken into account, so Sustainability may be more of a threat from further down the racecard. He’s bred to stay further than what he’s been racing over and should have learnt from his chasing debut. 7/2 Ladbrokes

13.45 Sandown

It’s hard to discount any of the 5 runners here and even though Dunlough Bay won easily in soft conditions last time, I’m not sure whether he has ambitions for the season like some of his rivals and may struggle to defy his penalty. Taquin Du Seuil looks set to be well fancied after running My Tent Or Yours close when conceding 5 pounds. The step up in trip today should suit and he’s clear at this stage on ratings and compared to Le Bec, the other horse in the race with hurdling experience, he is preferred. But I’m taking a chance that SOUTHFIELD THEATRE and Up And Go’s hurdling debuts at Grade 2 level speaks volume. Preference is for the former who won very well at Cheltenham, and as they are sure to have both been very well schooled, the Nicholls’ horse is taken to be that bit fresher and able to see out the race in a stronger manner. 5/2 Bet365

14.20 Sandown

I have been extremely eager to see BOLD SIR BRIAN’s next run since his excellent victory at Carlisle 33 days ago. He went straight into my Tote Ten To Follow after that and hearing that his trainer has Cheltenham ambitions this year. This has been the plan since then and the step up in trip is not seen to be a problem as he’s won up to 22 furlongs previously and had so much left in him at Carlisle. He also receives a very helpful 4 pounds from Pacha Du Polder, who he is rated 5 pounds superior to, who has something to prove after a very disappointing run in the Old Roan Chase. Given plenty of time since then, he should be the main threat and he does come with big hopes for the future from his trainer. Triolo D’Alene was quietly fancied for the Paddy Power but disappointed, and this step up in trip doesn’t look set to bring about a better outcome. Grove Pride was the one to benefit from Keppols Hill atrocious fall last time out and has plenty to find with the others to have an impact on proceedings here. 11/10 several

13.00 Exeter

The form has since been franked for FINGAL BAY who lost admirably to Dynaste at Cheltenham. He won at the Sandown meeting last year, so his trainer’s decision to come to Exeter instead means he will be looking to give his charge an easier assignment. He will be a short price but should be an easy winner. Ashbourne Folly and Chartreux should be a long way back and a distance bet is advised if Coole River doesn’t turn up after running only yesterday. 1/6 Paddy Power

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer