ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 9th March from Sandown and Wolves

1:50 Sandown

The opener on ITV is a decent novice handicap hurdle over 2m4f with 17 runners set to go to post.

I think PIC ROC (12/1) EW is a fair price in this race. A good winner last time out at Ascot beaten a horse that is pretty highly thought of at Ditcheat in Inthewaterside. They pulled a good few lengths clear of the third and he now makes his handicap debut of 123. That looks fair to me and he’s improving with his racing. The stable remains in fine fettle and the horse has decent form of a soft surface which is key today.

 

2:25 Sandown

Next up we have the competitive Imperial Cup handicap hurdle over 2 miles.

I like MAKING HEADWAY (13/2) NAP in this. This unexposed six year-old looks set to be well suited by a strongly run 2m handicap hurdle on deep ground. He was 4th two starts ago at Grade 1 level in a race that is working out well enough before getting his head in front when last seen at Newbury. He jumped as well as he ever has the last day and seemed to enjoy making the running. I’d be hopeful he’d sit fairly prominent again just off the leaders and that’s often a decent spot to be in the handicap hurdles here at Sandown. He’s improving and can defy an opening mark of 129.

 

2:40 Wolves

The first of two races on the AW is the Lady Wulfrana Stakes, a listed contest over 7f.

I’ve landed on NINE TENTHS (9/2) here for the Williams Haggas yard. She gets 5lb off her rivals here and brings a solid level of form to the table with two fine second placed efforts this year. The latter was here at Lingfield at this level and I think she can continue to improve. She’s fairly unexposed still and William Buick is an encouraging jockey booking here.

 

3:00 Sandown

It’s back to Sandown for 3:00 race, a mares bumper over 2m.

A bit of a guessing game but the one I’ve landed on is HONKY TONK HEADWAY (9/2) for the Skelton team. She looks the part on breeding and the stable do excel with this bumper horses, especially the mares. She was an impressive winner of her only point-to-point start winning in taken fashion over 3m. That was on heavy so today’s ground should be no problem. She’ll do for me.

 

3:15 Wolves

The 3:15 from Wolves is the Lincoln Trial handicap over an extended mile.

I’ll take a chance on SIR BUSKER (9/1) EW here. Now 8 years of age but he has plenty of back class and he’s more than capable of running well at this level. He is well suited Hyatt pace which he’ll get here and the 5lb claim of Brandon Wilkie is a very valuable one. He’s ran credible in two starts this year but I get the impression a race of this nature is likely to suit more. He’ll be staying on and I’d be hopeful he’d reach the places at least.

 

3:35 Sandown

The final race on ITV is a novice handicap chase over the 2m4f trip.

I think KOTMASK (4/1) may well be able to make it a hat-trick in this. He’s a horse improving and was a good winner here at Sandown two starts back albeit over 2m. He stepped up to an extended 2m3f last time out and beat the re-opposing Scarface. He’s up to a mark of 132 which asks for more but this race well set up well for him and the stable do really well here at Sandown.

 

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