ITV Racing Tips for Sandown, Hereford and Wolverhampton (08/03/25)
1:50 Sandown
The opener on ITV from Sandown is a competitive novice handicap hurdle over the 2m4f trip.
I like MEETMEBYTHESEA (4/1) here for the Ben Pauling team. He’s impressed me winning his first three starts over hurdles despite looking like he’d improve for a trip. He’s shown a willing attitude to go with his obvious talent to be winning over 2 miles which is definitely short of what he wants. He beat The Kemble Brewery on the second of them three career wins which has substance and the front two pulled clear of the remainder when he won last time out at Doncaster. I’m sure this 2m4f is what he wants and I’d be surprised if he’s isn’t better than a handicapper.
2:05 Hereford
We have one race from Hereford and it is a 2m handicap chase which comes up at 2:05.
It’s hard to have a strong opinion here but WESTERN GENERAL (9/4) comes into this off a decent victory at Wincanton where he bolted up by 10 lengths. He’ll have to improve again but this isn’t the strongest of races and connections look to have found a good spot for him to try and follow up. He is the solid option here based on what we know.
2:25 Sandown
Next up from Sandown is the Imperial Cup handicap hurdle over 2 miles.
I have landed on OOH BETTY (12/1) EW here for the Ben Clarke operation. The mare has excelled this year winning two of her first three starts including here at Sandown on seasonal reappearance. That form has worked out well too. She was last seen finishing a close third behind Mares Hurdle hopefuls Take No Chances and KARGESE which was a fine effort. She’s clearly thriving this season and although a mark of 132 will demand a career best, I think she’s capable of doing so here.
2:45 Wolves
We head to the AW for the first of two races. It is the Lincoln Trial handicap over the extended mile.
It’s LOCAL HERO (9/1) EW for me here for the Hannon team. He was a well backed winner at Kempton two starts ago and he duly obliged when winning pretty comfortably off 88. Things didn’t quite go to plan back there last time out where he could only manage fourth. However, that only tells half the story as he was denied a clear run at a crucial stage. Stall 4 is a nice position here and with Joe Leavy claiming 3lb, he’s effectively running off 91. He looks to hold a solid chance in an open race.
3:00 Sandown
It’s back to Sandown for the a trappy mares bumper.
I think DREAM SHADOW (4/1) is the one to be with here. An impressive point-to-point winner, she made her debut with Fergal O’Brien at Uttoxeter and ran with plenty of promise to finish a never nearer third. She backed that up with a victory back there next time. She went off favourite last time out at Market Rasen when finishing a close third with the re-opposing Charisma Cat in second. There isn’t much between them here. However, the O’Brien stable were under a bit of a cloud and I think his horse will enjoy the quick surface here. I think she can go close at the very least.
3:20 Wolves
The 3:20 from Wolves is the Lady Wulfrana Stakes, a listed contest over 7f.
It’s FAIR ANGELICA (5/1) for me here. The 4 year-old is open to further progress this season after a decent 3 year-old campaign last year. She was a listed winner in France two starts back before running a respectable 4th at Group 3 level on her final start beaten just over 2 lengths. She can make the running and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of pace on here so she may get things her own way. Richard Hannon can ready them first time up and I think she can go well.
3:35 Sandown
The final race is the 3:35 at Sandown, a 3m handicap chase.
I like DREAMING BLUE (11/4) NAP here who ran a cracker over this course and distance last time out where she jumped like a buck out in front and was only caught my O’Connell in the final 100 yards. That horse since ran well in the Eider Chase finishing second to boost the form. Dreaming Blue is only up 2lb and this quicker ground will suit her more. I think he is definitely the one they have to beat.
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