There’s live ITV Racing on Friday 25th April and there’s some competitive National Hunt action at Perth, while Sandown’s Flat season clicks up a notch with some stunning Group races including the Gordon Richards Stakes, bet365 Mile and Classic Trial. Our in-house tipster previews the live terrestrial action and picks out his best bets…
2:05pm Perth – QuinnBet Highland National Handicap Chase
Micky Hammond’s SHIGHNESS has shown she is a real out-and-out stayer and the eight-year-old can build on a decent second place at Hexham last time out with victory in the Highland National at 2:05pm at Perth. She was staying on in the closing stages of that 3m 7f 199y marathon last time out and over a similar trip on Friday she’s sure to be doing all his best work in the closing stages.
She’s been given a 2lb rise for that run back in mid March, but she’s capable of running another big race off a figure of 112 and with former champion jockey Brian Hughes taking the ride then she needs to be respected. Mt Fugi Park and Jacks Parrot are two leading adversaries set to be thereabouts, but Hammond’s charge can deliver the goods in what will be a real energy-sapping contest.
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2:25pm Sandown – bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes
Sent off favourite for last season’s Dante Stakes at York, ANCIENT WISDOM could only finish second to Economics, while he was a well beaten eighth in the Derby at Epsom. However, Charlie Appleby’s charge could improve this season and he’s one that heads to the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown at 2:25pm having had the benefit of a run this season.
He was last of seven in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury, but he should strip a lot fitter for that outing and a drop back in trip here could see him bounce back to form. A winner of the Group 3 Zetland Stakes last season over 1m 2f, the Dubawi colt may relish the drop back to ten furlongs for this contest and he can get the better of Almaqam and Al Aasy, who are two class acts taking their chance in this event.
3:00pm Sandown – bet365 Mile
A cracking renewal of the bet365 Mile will take place at 3:00pm and last season’s Group 1 Sun Chariot winner Tamfana will make her return to the track, while Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini are another brace of of class acts aiming for Group 2 glory at Sandown Park on Friday afternoon.
However, this contest can go the way of France and Andre Fabre’s ALCANTOR, who was placed in the French 2000 Guineas last season and then ran adequately to finish sixth in the French Derby. He returned to the track in late March and kicked off his campaign with a Group 3 win at Saint-Cloud and he’s sure to improve again here. Ryan Moore will take the ride, which is a huge positive, and he could well outclass the aforementioned trio of contenders to duly book his place at Royal Ascot with a taking victory here.
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