It’s the first Saturday in 2024 and with that comes the opening horse racing weekend of the New Year. We get the action started with seven ITV4 contests spread over the two venues – Wincanton and Sandown. So, here at Bettingsites.co.uk we’ve got our Wincanton tips covered here, but on this page we’ve also got four Sandown racing tips.
These include a Mares’ Listed Hurdle (2:25pm) and also an ultra-competitive Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3:00) with some familiar old faces on show.
Sandown Racing Tips: Trainer Gary Moore Looks Set For A Big Day
1:50: Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+ 0-150) 2m4f ITV4
The race title is plugging trainer Nicky Henderson’s blog, but the Seven Barrows man doesn’t have a runner in the race. However, his main rival in the trainer’s race, Paul Nicholls does though as he runs the hat-trick seeking Quel Destin. But he’s up another 3lbs from his last win at Chepstow so has more on here. George Saint is another three-time seeker in the race and hails from the in-form Venetia Williams yard but is also up in the ratings (7lbs) from last time.
Gustavian, Heltenham and Carbon King have claims but on what could be a good day for Gary Moore, his HUDSON DU GRUGY is the first of our Sandown racing tips. This CD winner was a fair third at the track last month but that came off a 223-day break so that would have brought him on a bundle. The 7 year-old is also down a pound from his last run and is now back to his last winning rating.
The final plus is that with this being a better race, he gets in with a full 14lbs less in actual racing weight to carry – from his last run. He’s taken to get the Moore team off to the best start in the opening ITV race.
Sandown Racing Tips: HUDSON DU GRUGY with BetMGM
2:25: Unibet Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV4
A very average Mares’ Listed Hurdle here and barring accidents this can go to the 140-rated YOU WEAR IT WELL, for the Jamie Snowden yard. This 7 year-old was last seen running third in the rescheduled Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown last month but will find the oppo a lot easier this time and rates a solid one of the most Sandown racing tips on the day.
She’s got to give 4lbs away to Nurse Susan but is still rated 11lbs higher than that Skelton runner so has 7lbs in-hand on the official ratings. Prior to her last run was also a good winner at Wetherby – when beating Luccia, who has since franked the form a few times.
Sandown Racing Tips: YOU WEAR IT WELL with BetMGM
3:00: Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2023 Veterans’ Chase Series Final) Cl2 (10yo+) 3m ITV4
Plenty of old faces in this Veterans’ Handicap Chase, that include recent winners Good Boy Bobby, Cepage and Thomas Darby. Plus, we’ve the former Hennessy Gold Cup winner De Rasher Counter and past Rehearsal Chase hero Ayr Right.
However, it’s interesting that 7 of the last 8 winners of this race were unplaced last time out, while ALL of those also ran in the last five weeks. With this in-mind the two that are chanced are CELEBRE D’ALLEN and LARRY.
The former, Celebre D’Allen ran well for a long way in the Becher Chase at Aintree last time out but just got tired late on. Therefore, the drop in trip here will suit and connections are helping his weight by jockeying up Elizabeth Gale, who has won on the horse before, to claim 7lbs.
The other pick, Larry, was down the field here last time out (8th) but also ran well for much of the race and was disputing the lead three out. With that only his second run of the season he should be spot-on for this now and gets in here with just 10-7 to carry this time. The useful Tom Cannon keeps the ride.
Sandown Racing Tips: CELEBRE D’ALLEN with BetMGM
Sandown Racing Tips: LARRY (e/w) with BetMGM
3:37 : Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-145) 2m ITV4
The final Sandown racing tips race can see yet another good run for a Gary Moore runner. There are several in here with claims, that include Sans Bruit, who will be better than his form figures suggest, plus Churchill Lad and Robins Dream.
But the Moore runner SPIRIT D’AUNOU was a tidy winner over course and distance last time out at the Tingle Creek Meeting last month and despite being up 10lbs for that is worth sticking with. We also know that this improving 5 year-old likes heavy ground (2 wins) so conditions will be fine and also heads into the race having won five of his six starts. He’s taken to continue his upward curve.
Sandown Racing Tips: SPIRIT D’AUNOU with BetMGM
