Five horses to follow at Wetherby, Sandown and Musselburgh on Saturday
By Harry Allwood
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
There is some high-quality racing action to look forward to at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown this weekend and, with eight Grade Ones taking centre stage, the Cheltenham Festival markets are certain to look a lot different by Sunday night.
There are sure to be plenty of Cheltenham Festival clues in Britain on Saturday and Sunday as well, as there is Grade One action at Sandown, a Grade Two contest plus plenty of intriguing races at Wetherby, and it is also Cheltenham Trials weekend at Musselburgh.
Here are five horses to keep an eye on at those tracks.
Horse: EMMAS JOY
Trainer: Dan Skelton. General odds: 5-4.
warwick
12:55 Warwick - Tuesday December 31
Emmas Joy was defeated close home at Warwick last time out
This looks an ideal opportunity for Emmas Joy to get back to winning ways following her narrow defeat at Warwick in December.
Dan Skelton’s mare impressed when getting off the mark on her previous start at that track in November and it is best to forgive her below-par run in a Grade Two at Sandown in-between those two starts.
The form of her run at Warwick last time out has received a boost as the winner, Cill Anna, bolted up at Wincanton on Thursday and is a useful performer in the making.
None of Emmas Joy’s rivals have achieved the same level of form she has and the six-year-old should have plenty more improvement left in her.
Horse: MIRANDA
Trainer: Paul Nicholls. General odds: 7-2.
kempton-park
15:35 Kempton-Park - Friday December 27
Miranda scored in good style at Kempton in December
This horse impressed when winning a decent handicap at Kempton last time out and looks capable of defying a 9lb rise here.
The five-year-old was an easy winner of her first two starts for Paul Nicholls and it is easy to forgive her two below-par runs after as she was found to be in season at Wincanton and looked in need of the run at Sandown on her seasonal debut.
She showed what she is capable of last time out though, and a repeat of that performance will see her go close. Musselburgh should also suit given the way she won on right-handed tracks last season.
Paul Nicholls won this contest in 2017 with Diego Du Charmil and has been operating at a strike-rate of 35 per cent in the past fortnight, which is another positive.
Sebastopol needs to bounce back to form but would be a danger if reproducing his Wincanton success in October, with Tom Lacey seeking his first success at Musselburgh.
Horse: GRAND SANCY
Trainer: Paul Nicholls. General odds: 8-1.
kempton-park
13:20 Kempton-Park - Friday December 27
Grand Sancy shaped as though a step up in trip would suit when third at Grade Two level on his latest start
Grand Sancy has shown plenty of promise on his first two starts over fences this season and a step up in trip is certain to suit here.
Paul Nicholls’ charge showed a useful level of form over hurdles and finished with running left in him when third in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton behind Global Citizen. It is not the first time the six-year-old has shaped as though he needs a step up in trip, either.
He was not quite as good as some of his rivals over hurdles, but there is every reason to believe Grand Sancy is going to achieve a higher level over fences judged on the promise he has shown so far over the larger obstacles.
Paul Nicholls has won this contest four times in the past and 8-1 is a fair price.
Laurina will be tough to beat if back to her best, but she disappointed last time out and needs to bounce back.
Horse: ASK DILLON
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien. General odds: 7-1.
exeter
14:05 Exeter - Tuesday April 16
Ask Dillon was an easy winner at Exeter last year
Ask Dillon shaped with plenty of encouragement on his seasonal and handicap debut at Chepstow in December and looks the one to side with in this Grade Three contest.
Always held in high regard by Fergal O’Brien, the seven-year-old produced some smart form in bumpers and also during his first season over hurdles which included two victories, the final one being an impressive success in a Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter that has worked out well.
He looks a strong stayer and scored easily at Ascot last year on soft ground, so conditions will be no problem for him on Saturday and a rating of 139 could underestimate him.
He ought to strip fitter for his run at Chepstow and rates a decent each-way bet at 7-1.
Horse: SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE
Trainer: Paul Webber. General odds: 18-1.
sandown-park
13:20 Sandown-Park - Saturday December 7
Special Acceptance would have gone close on his previous start at Sandown before his jockey became unbalanced
I backed this horse for small stakes over course and distance in December and was almost counting my winnings until his rider became unbalanced in the closing stages and was unseated.
The six-year-old was gaining on the winner before that unfortunate mishap and it is fair to say he would have gone close to winning.
He is 3lb higher for that run here and is yet to get his head in front from 12 starts, but he still has low mileage and conditions are in his favour again.
He does need to bounce back to form following a disappointing run at Warwick last time out, but at 18-1, I am happy to take a chance on him.
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