Fortune Timmy 12/1, 2pts win
Tennessee Tango 14/1, 2pts win
Tennessee Tango 14/1, 2pts win
This is always one of the best punting races outside of the major spring festivals and this year looks no different. Entries came out today and the EBF Final again looks stacked full of potential improvers and lovely types for the future but the test is to try and find who's here for today. Chris Gordon's Fortune Timmy hacked up at Fontwell earlier in the season and he's gone in again there since. Fontwell has a stiff hill finish, like Sandown, and he's now got some nice experience of clambering up one. He's been beaten on his two starts away from the South Coast. The first defeat came at Kempton but he wasn't disgraced behind Supreme favourite Old Park Star that day on a sharp track over 2 miles. The other defeat came last time out at Cheltenham over a similar distance to this. He travelled well but was passed coming to the final fence by the eventual front two. What I liked is how he kept battling up the hill and the leaders didn't gain any more ground on him. Both those horses are nice types and the runner up that day had previously beaten Call Me Hugo who won the Morebattle at Kelso at the weekend. The form is there for all to see. He'll be near the head of the weights but one further down to note is Joe Tizzard's Tennessee Tango. He's always looked a lovely type even from his bumper days but it's fair to say he's taken time to come to himself. He was entered up in a handicap last month but connections swerved it and went for an easy win at Plumpton instead, perhaps keen to have a good crack at this race. He's a big galloping type who should relish this test and this will be his first go at a trip longer than 2 miles.
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14:27, Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle
Rubber Ball 10/1, 2pts win
The early entries again look strong for the Imperial Cup and Khrisma would be a short priced favourite if lining up, for all she has questions to answer. So too does Mondo Man who would also be near the front end of the market. At slightly bigger odds is Neil King's Rubber Ball. He won at Newbury on Saturday but the trainer indicated he'd be keen to turn the strapping 6 year old out again in this and it could be wise to strike while the iron is hot. Rubber Ball hadn't done a thing right this season before winning last time out but he won well and ran through the line as if he would relish a stiffer track like Sandown. He was smashed off the boards last time out and with the stable in such hot form it may be wise to take a price now.
