Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Tinghir should shine at Sandown

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the tips for the week’s races

SATURDAY

BEVERLEY

2-25 BETFRED BEVERLEY BULLET SPRINT STAKES (LISTED) – 5 FURLONGS

Kingsgate Native can make the most of a drop in class in order to secure a first win of the season. He has been tried in the highest of company and whilst he has run perfectly respectably, he has just lacked the final gear to see him home.

He has only just been touched off in recent races by the likes of Take Cover, Extortionist and Sole Power so he has to command ultimate respect now that he faces some lesser and more exposed opposition.

Pearl Secret is the highest rated horse in the line-up and he once again renews his association with Jamie Spencer. The jockey has a very impressive thirty two percent strike rate at this track so the duo could pose a more than lethal combination.

Pearl Secret seems to be ground dependant though and connections will be praying for plenty of rain in order to enhance his chances. Rocky Ground returns to a track where he has been successful in the past. He has been very frustrating to follow this season and has not looked the same horse since running at Royal Ascot.

Kingsgate Native wears his heart on his sleeve and provided that the ground remains on the fast side of good he should go very close here.

NEWTON ABBOT

2-45 FOLLOW SCOOP6 AT TOTEPOOLLIVEINFO.COM HANDICAP HURDLE – 2 M 6 F

Vesperal Dream is the only runner on the card at Newton Abbot for Paul Nicholls this afternoon and it is of note that he reverts back to hurdles with this five year old.

He made his debut over fences at this very track last month and was beaten over fifty lengths following a poor round of jumping before eventually getting outpaced.

Aalim has won three times since the turn of the year and at varied distances between two and three miles. John Ferguson has an array of talent at his disposal at Bloomfields and this four year old must rate as a live danger.

Denis O’Regan has won on him four times in the past and it is of note that he is once again in the saddle today. Harry Fry has made a bright beginning to the summer jumps season and Henryville bids for a first win of the campaign. This trip may just prove a bit beyond his reach and others offer better value.

David Pipe throws two into the fray here and Azza looks the least exposed. Despite falling last time out he will appreciate a return to softer ground and he too can make the frame. Vesperal Dream is worthy of another chance given that he is at least proven over this course and distance.

CHESTER

2-55 CRABBIES ALCOHOLIC GINGER BEER HANDICAP – 7 FURLONGS

Heavy Metal was badly interfered with in a similar handicap at Goodwood last week and can go close to making amends here. He was not given too much to do when all realistic chances of winning had evaporated.

Franny Norton takes over from Joe Fanning in the saddle this afternoon and he is particularly good at managing to ride winners on the Roodee. Despite a career high handicap mark he ought to appreciate the ground and is worth another chance.

Big Johnny D is not as exposed as some and there could still be potential improvement to come from the David Barron trained five year old. He has previous course and distance winning form and his most recent successes have come when there has been a bit of cut in the ground and he looks a big danger.

Apostle notched up his fifth career win with a victory over this course and distance earlier in the month but he has been beaten the last nine times when he has been tried at this level and that hardly installs confidence.

Heavy Metal represents a very much in form stable and he had a valid excuse for underperforming on his most recent outing. He has to be high on the shortlist this afternoon.

SANDOWN

3-50 ST JAMES THEATRE HANDICAP – 1 M 2F 7 YDS

Tinghir was having his first run back after a short break at Newmarket when last seen. His lack of fitness was telling in the closing stages and he could manage only third place behind the re-opposing Clon Brulee.

He now enjoys a further pull at the weights with the Godolphin runner and that is enough to turn the tables in his favour. Ted Durcan is the only jockey to have ever won on this four year old and if taking to the first time blinkers the combination has the ability to go close here.

Treasure The Ridge has won his last three races and comes here very much in the form of his life. Danny Brock claims a useful three pounds and he is a young jockey riding very much at the top of his game. Treasure The Ridge does have winning form on bottomless ground and the combination look a threat.

The constant merry go round with jockeys at Godolphin now means that Mikey Ennis takes the ride on Clon Brulee. The talented apprentice may have his work cut out on board the five year old as he seems to take an eternity to get going. The horse is proven at this level though and should give supporters another solid run for their money.

Tinghir should enjoy this ground this afternoon and he can go well for an in form yard.