ITV Racing Preview - 04/01/25
- JN Value Betting
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
BEST BETS:
DELLA CASA LUNGA - 14:25 SANDOWN - 9/4 (CORAL) - 1PT WIN
SAM BROWN - 15:00 SANDOWN - 5/1 (GENERAL) - 0.5PTS E/W (3 PLACES)
HIGH GAME ROYAL - 15:15 WINCANTON - 16/1 (BETFAIR) - 0.5PTS E/W (3 PLACES)
The ITV cameras head to Sandown and Wincanton for the first weekend of racing of the year. The post Christmas lull is in full force while all of the British 'big guns' are rested following their Christmas exertions, with eyes set on their big spring targets. The weather looks set to cause issues across the weekend with freezing conditions forecast and precautionary morning inspections in place for both of the ITV meetings. Following the Sandown card being abandoned last year, they'll be keen for this one to get the green light. The going has currently been declared as Soft for both Sandown and Wincanton following the New Year's Day deluge.
The first ITV race of the day is a 2m 4f handicap chase at Sandown where the top two in the weights come from the Dan Skelton yard, in the shape of Unexpected Part and Etalon with the latter looking the pick of those based on jockey bookings. Roccovango for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen looks to be of warm order following four wins in six starts for this yard and has only been nudged up 2lbs following his last success at Uttoxeter. There are certainly possibilities when it comes to Triple Trade who is up in trip and is now down to a mark of 127, which is 8lbs lower than his last winning mark. Given the cases that can be made for a number here, I am happy to swerve this from a betting perspective.
A listed mares' hurdle is up next at Sandown where DELLA CASA LUNGA looks to follow-up her comfortable handicap victory at Kempton just 8 days ago. She looks set to go well again, should this not come too soon. Richard Patrick's mount is well clear on ratings, with at least 9lb in hand on the rest of the field. The Soft in the going shouldn't be a cause for concern given the mares two victories at Ludlow in February 2024. She is now tried back in listed company where she was seen in November chasing home the impressive Kateira at Kempton, finishing just 2 3/4 lengths down. The improving Dameofthecostwolds rates the biggest danger when looking at the rest of the field with Nigel Twiston-Davies' inmate looking to land a hat-trick on the back of victories at Ludlow and Doncaster.
DELLA CASA LUNGA - 14:25 SANDOWN - 9/4 (CORAL) - 1PT WIN
The 2024 Veterans' Chase Series Final follows this at Sandown where Copperhead has displayed strong form in this Veteran's series thus far with two wins being followed up by two second placed efforts. This has seen his mark climb from 114 to 133 - Freddie Gingell reclaims the reins here, where he takes off a vital 3lb. Eldorado Allen takes his chance here off the back of a third placed effort behind Numitor and the aforementioned Copperhead at Cheltenham. I am happy to take a chance on last year's winner SAM BROWN, whilst this was run at Warwick last year, I am still happy to take a punt on Anthony Honeyball's old hand. Chad Bament steps in to take the ride and takes a handy 10lbs off the top weight here. At the ripe old age of 13, this veteran is still being tried in graded company, including a 4 3/4 lengths third in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, behind The Real Whacker. A sixth placed effort on his final start last season in the Gold Cup Handicap Chase here in April was impressive in the company and there are still signs to show that Sam Brown is capable of mixing it here. For a horse that's seen it all, I don't feel as if the testing conditions will be of detriment to him.
SAM BROWN - 15:00 SANDOWN - 5/1 (GENERAL) - 0.5PTS E/W (3 PLACES)
Over at Wincanton, Kado De Joie looks set to go off at the head of the market for Nicky Henderson in the handicap hurdle over 2m 5 1/2f. Bidding for a hat-trick after wins at Fontwell and Lingfield respectively, James Bowen's mount is up 6lbs following that Lingfield success. I am happy to look further down the market here at HIGH GAME ROYAL for the Hobbs & White team with Callum Pritchard onboard claiming 7lbs. Finding a Cheltenham handicap all too much last time finishing a remote fifth behind Long Draw, Gowel Road, Wonderful Eagle and Doyen Quest. This was on the back of two narrow defeats in handicaps at Exeter and Lingfield and I feel that back in calmer waters, there is definitely value in the 16/1 on offer.
HIGH GAME ROYAL - 15:15 WINCANTON - 16/1 (BETFAIR) - 0.5PTS E/W (3 PLACES)
