Saturday 9th December

Sandown 1.15 It’s going to be Somme like conditions today and both venue’s & today’s opening race is the swapped Grade 1 from last weekends abandoned Newcastle meeting, with Constitution Hill a non runner . The old rogue Goshen is again to the fore of the market and is usually the first I strike a line over , but this has been blown wide open now & he has shown some of his best form on Heavy ground. The same comment applies to Love Envoi ( but not as good ) You Wear It Well has plenty to find on ratings and form so it’s hard to have any interest at the current 2’1. A tricky puzzle of a race now and but I can just see Goshen running well in these conditions . Advised Bet Goshen 1pt win @ 5’1

Aintree 1.30 Heltenham currently heads the market and comes into this off the back of a win over hurdles ( non too fluent either ) at odds on. He does not jump that well and often out to the right and is usually held up , so plenty of negatives for me at the prices. War Lord finished the race off well last time out and going up in trip is sure to help , like many from his yard last season did not go to plan but as a result the mark is pretty workable now. Richmond Lake has the run style that suits this venue ( front runner good jumper ) and he looks set to go well , but the handicap mark gives nothing away. Advised Bets 1pt Place Lay Heltenham ( standard terms ) & 1pt win War Lord @ 9’2

Sandown 1.50 JPR One was most unlucky coming down at the last ( jumped very well prior ) as I have said before I always think they remember a fall and I am never too keen to back them straight after. Colonel Harry has plenty going for him , he jumped very well at Chepstow on debut over fences and won on Heavy at this venue in January. Advised Bet Colonel Harry 1p win @ 3’1

Aintree 2.05 The Big Breakaway currently heads the market and is a rather puzzling one for me , he has more letters than numbers of late and came a cropper early doors in the National over these fences , so plenty of negatives for me. Ashtown Lad on the other hand doe like these fences , but heavy ground I am not so sure about. Percussion loves this venue and heavy ground holds no fears. A light weight & a prep run over shorter last time out p[oint to a good showing in my book. Advsised Bets 1pt Place Lay The Big Breakaway ( standard terms ) & Percussion 3/4 pt ew @ 13’2 / 6’1 firms offering 5 places

Sandown 2.25 Impose To is the current favourite , but this is a very stiff ask on this ground in a much better race and I can put a line though that one. Arqoob likes this venue , but not so sure about the ground and is another on a weights rise. Punta Del Este is interesting being so unexposed and with a decent value claimer taking off weight , plus winning form in France ( heavy ground ) Advise Bets 1pt Place Lay Impose To ( standard terms ) & 3/4 pt ew Punta Del Este @ 11’2 firms offering 4 places

Aintree 2.40 A rather puzzling juvenile race with plenty of guess work needed to make any sort of bet , so a race just to watch for me in these conditions

Sandown 3.00 This looks a cake walk for Jonbon on all known form , but heavy ground is a bit of a question mark in my view. So just a race to watch

Aintree 3.15 Songio is the current favourite and I can see it , with heavy ground winning form over in France at the start of the career , but a big weight in this sort of test is a big ask in my view. Basher Reflection has plenty to find on form in this sort of grade , but does a least handle the ground. Benson is another lumbered with a big weight . Chance A Tune is interesting on this step up in trip and will relish this sort of stamina test with a decent weight too. Advised Bet 1/2 pt ew Chance A Tune @ 8’1 / 15’2 firms offering 4 places

Sandown 3.35 Beauport & Fontaine Collonges currently head the market , both have plenty of negatives , but what will beat them is anyones guess as the rest have question marks too. A race to swerve