With the weekend nearly upon us, I'm hoping to make it a third winner from four selections this week.
Yesterday's pick, Cyrus Darius claimed the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso for the second year running under a superb ride from Brian Hughes, who once again proved why it can be profitable to back him north of the border. There are five meetings throughout the UK and Ireland today with National Hunt fixtures this afternoon from Sandown and Fakenham as well all-weather action from Lingfield Newcastle and at Dundalk.
It's from Sandown in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup where nine amateur riders who are all members of the military will compete in the 3-mile chase for just over £7,000 prize money. The winner of this race last year was David Pipe's RATHLIN ROSE when he came out the winner by 4-and-a-half-lengths off a mark of 128 and I'm fancying him to make it back-to-back victories in this contest today.
In fact, Rathlin Rose is rated 126 today and with a jockey in Capt. Guy Disney on board who has already won aboard his mount, he may hold some of the experience needed to win a race like this. These races are often unorthodox at times and these jockeys will be going all out like John Wayne in the closing stages and I certainly see Guy as one of the strongest riders in the race.
Sandown has proved a happy ground for this nine-year-old son of Bonbon Rose with two wins coming from his only two runs here in Surrey. Another solid bit of form is his Welsh National run last month where he finished sixth, showing some quality jumping he had every chance four from home but weakened in the finish under a good ride from Tom Scudamore at 50/1.
At the current prices when considering Rathlin Rose's course and distance form, I'm more than willing to get involved at the price of 5/2 which is currently available with most bookmakers.
