Friday, 7th March 2025
In ATC today….
…. I swing the bat in the weekend’s big handicap….
The Imperial Cup is the feature at Sandown tomorrow….
…. the off time is 2.25….
…. and my pick of the prices is WRECKLESS ERIC at 10s….
That’s the summary….
…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….
Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….
Read on….
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Jonjo O’Neill’s already won one of the big handicap hurdle events at Sandown this term….
…. training Red Dirt Road to win the Heroes at the start of last month – with ATC on at the best of the prices….
…. and I think he can repeat the trick tomorrow with WRECKLESS ERIC in the one big handicap on the Saturday ahead of the Festival – the Imperial Cup (2.25)….
He’s up generally at 10s this morning….
…. and I reckon that’s a fair price about a horse that didn’t quite get the test he requires last time at Windsor over a sharp 2m in the Sovereign….
He still ran okay – finishing 6th of the 14 and beaten just 3.5 lengths at the post….
…. but tomorrow’s stiffer test will surely suit – given that he’s run two big races at Cheltenham this term – and is seen at home as one who will get better going further….
…. and it’s worth noting that Cracking Rhapsody did his bit for that Windsor form when he came out and won the Morebattle at Kelso last weekend….
In addition to tomorrow’s prize fund (the winner takes home £50k) there’s a bonus of £100,000 up for grabs if the winner comes out on top in any race at next week’s Festival….
Ten of tomorrow’s 18 runners are down to run at Cheltenham next week – Wreckless Eric isn’t one of them….
I’m not going to read too much into that….
…. he’s a 5yo rated 127….
…. not a typical Jonjo O’Neill candidate in a Festival handicap….
…. and he’s got plenty of time – and opportunities – ahead of him….
I get the impression there’s more to come….
…. and tomorrow could well be his big day this term….
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 2.25 @ Sandown….
e/w terms = Sky Bet pay 6 places. It’s 5 places generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
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That’s all for today….
It’s the Cheltenham Festival next week….
…. but ahead of that I’ll be back in your inbox over the weekend – so keep a look out for me….
Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….
Stay tuned….
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