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Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Punts – Saturday, 1st February

Though the build up to Cheltenham is firmly underway, there is brilliant racing from Sandown and Musselburgh on ITV this weekend. Matty Sutcliffe has five selections across the cards at value prices for you to side with.

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1:25 Sandown – Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-125) – In Limbo 1pt EW 3 places 

This step up in trip on handicap debut can bring out the best in IN LIMBO, despite a mark of 115 looking a touch harsh by the handicapper at this stage. The son of Doyen is perhaps not the easiest to keep right having had a 606-day layoff prior to his yard debut after switching hands from Thomas Malone. Having initially cost 42k for Rob James, he placed in two point to points including when five lengths behind Shanagh Bob and subsequent G3 winner Gorgeous Tom. 

On debut for Chris Down in December, he stayed on well to finish fourth in a competitive novices’ hurdle at Exeter, with the first three home now rated 120, 127 and 121. The third is a particularly interesting line of form, as he had beaten Sixmilebridge previously, who went on to beat Potters Charm in the Classic Novices’ at Cheltenham last weekend. 

In Limbo then went to Newbury in a race that generally throws up a nice type, and while he was beaten ten lengths into third, he paid the price for chasing the clear leader in Koapey, with the winner coming from a quieter ride in midfield and franking the form next time out with an RPR of 131. On a line through the second, who was beaten four lengths by The Kemble Brewery the time prior, In Limbo’s debut form holds up in that respect and again, he stayed on in the manner of one who needs a trip. 

While this race is a 0-125, the top weight is 117 and it doesn’t look a particularly strong class three. In Limbo’s collateral form looks arguably the best in this field, and with the step up in trip destined to suit, a mark of 115 with Ben Ffrench Davis taking 5lbs off might not too harsh in retrospect. 

13:25 Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

2:00 Sandown – Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Solo 10/1 1pt WIN 

Connections have won this three times in the last six renewals with another Kapgarde gelding in Dolos, who had also been beaten in the 2m3f contest at Ascot en-route to his last success in this contest in 2022. 

It’s been a long while since SOLO raced at a trip this short, but he put behind him two poor efforts when a five length fourth at Ascot off top-weight, giving plenty of weight away to the three in front of him who have all ran creditably since. He was tenderly handled there once his chance of winning had gone, and he shaped as if a return to a lower trip may be worth a try. 

The last time he was at a similar distance was in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in 2023, where he was only beaten three lengths by Elixir De Nutz giving him 10lbs, with the winner going on to beat Jonbon next time out. That was only five starts ago and he’s rated 7lbs lower now, and with his record right handed over fences reading 2231221PU2204, it won’t come as a surprise if this previous course winner can make all under an aggressive ride form Harry Cobden, to expose any stamina weaknesses in the others in a race that doesn’t seem to have much early pace. 

14:00 Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
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2:17 Musselburgh – bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145) – Florida Dreams 4/1 1.5pt WIN 

Last year’s winner Afadil will prove all the rage now he’s below the mark he took this off, but you’d have to trust this has been the plan given how off the boil he’s looked this season, and it may pay to take him on with FLORIDA DREAMS, who’s one of two in here for the owner that’s took two of the last three renewals of this contest. 

The majority of the runners in here tend to ply their trade at a lower level, but Florida Dreams has ran with plenty of credit in C1 and C2 affairs this season. He was sent off the 2/1 favourite at Aintree on Boxing Day and while we couldn’t see much in the fog, he seemingly didn’t stay the 2m4f trip, for all the fourth has come out and franked the form. Prior to that, he was an excellent eleven length fifth in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham when arguably outclassed by the likes of Burnett Road, Be Aware and Dysart Enos, with the winner now rated 150 after his third in the Christmas Hurdle and the second prominent in the betting for the likes of a Coral Cup. Fiercely Proud was half a length behind Florida Dreams that day and won the G3 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot next time out to frank the form further. 

Florida Dreams is only a length above his last winning mark when taking a 0-130 at Hexham on seasonal reappearance, giving 11lbs to the second who’s since gone up 12lbs for two subsequent victories, and the fourth has also come out and won well since. 

He was beaten twelve lengths on his only course start but I wouldn’t read much into that given he was a non stayer over three miles and jumped poorly, but I’d be surprised if this race hasn’t been the plan for connections and this G2 bumper winner is still well-handicapped on his novice season. 

14:17 bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

2:50 Musselburgh – bet365 Scottish Champion Chase (For The Bowes-Lyon Trophy) Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) – Marble Sands 6/1 1.5pt WIN 

It was rather silly of me not to play MARBLE SANDS each-way at Cheltenham last time out given I had my reservations about him handling the track, and given he wasn’t all that strong and fluent up the hill that may have been the case. With that in mind, I thought he ran a brilliant race to stay on for second to the impressive Springwell Bay who was given a 9lbs rise for that effort, and rather kindly, Marble Sands was dropped a pound. 

He took his form over 2m4f to 254112 there, with he 5th/4th coming in the Challow/John Francombe at Newbury, and the return to a right handed track may unearth further improvement. Six of his seven wins have come right handed, including his career best RPR (151) when landing a Novice Chase over C&D last season under Nick Slatter. 

The in-form yard (2-6 last 14 days) are four from seven in handicaps here (2-1-1 in chases), and if he replicates either of his last two efforts in competitive G3 handicaps, then it’s hard not to envisage him being bang there at the finish. 

14:50 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase (For The Bowes-Lyon Trophy) Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
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3:07 Sandown – Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Gaye Legacy 25/1 1pt ew 4 places 

With a current going stick of 3.5 and heavy ground almost certainly forecast, this gruelling three mile staying handicap hurdle is likely to be a stern test and it might be worth chancing the hardy mare GAYE LEGACY on her seasonal debut, as its interesting Tom Symonds pitches her in this deep on reappearance. 

All of her form has come with soft in the going and her record on ‘heavy’ ground according to Timeform reads 2252. The 5th came in a competitive listed mares hurdle at Sandown where she was only beaten three lengths, though staying on strongly from rear in deplorable conditions, when perhaps not suited by running on the softest part of the track. 

Prior to that she was a game winner at Newbury off 4lbs beaten Don’t Rightly Know by a length, who’s now rated 20lbs higher over fences. While she would have to step up markedly on what she’s show so far, she’s bred to be smart given her dam is a full sister to Simon. Her record in handicaps reads 312212 and while she does have to prove fitness on this seasonal return, she’s one of a few who you can say is well handicapped, will stay and will certainly handle the ground.

15:07 Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
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