Follow The Money: No sanctuary for out of form Sanctuaire

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 31 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will Sanctuaire (right) continue a poor run of recent form?

"On old form, including a novice hurdle beating of Grands Crus, Sanctuaire would be a banker but those days seem along way away judged on his last few runs."

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Southwell and Taunton.

Our first mover goes in the apprentice race from Southwell at 13.30, the horse being the Ian Williams-inmate Teutonic Knight who has been backed from [30.0] into [12.5]. The five-year-old was a promising third on debut last year in a bumper at Lingfield but has disappointed since, being well beaten in another bumper and three maidens on the Flat. It's worth bearing in mind though those three maiden runs were all over a mile and today he adds another six furlongs to the distance. Judging by his debut this type of distance should suit and everything points to a big run.

Moving now to Taunton for the novice chase at 14.40 where there has been a negative move for Paul Nicholls' Sanctuaire, who has drifted from an opening [1.81] out to [2.44]. On old form, including a novice hurdle beating of Grands Crus , Sanctuaire would be a banker but those days seem a long way off judged on his last few runs. Though the six-year-old is young enough to go chasing you can't help but think Nicholls has stuck him over fences in hope that a change of scenery might bring about some improvement.

Sanctuaire was tricky at the start last time out, eventually jumping off after missing the start by 20 odd lengths. His is taking on some promising rivals today and will have to be on his best behaviour if Ruby Walsh is to get the best out of him at the business end. That said, if any trainer can get the best out of this strong traveller it's Nicholls though it is understandable that layers are keen to lay him at odds-on.

We stay at Taunton for our final move of the day, which comes in the 15.40 where Charlie Longsdon's Onefourfun who has been backed from [10.0] into [5.9]. The horse has been of the course for 733 days but prior to this was a consistent improving type in handicap hurdles. Even though the horse is now 10 years old he is still relatively lightly raced and could be running of a very reasonable mark today is running well fresh and judging by the move for him connections must have prepared him well after his lengthy layoff.

Recommended Bets
Back Teutonic Knight @ [12.5] Southwell 13.30
Lay Sanctuaire @ [2.44] Taunton 14.40
Back Oneforfun @ [5.9] Taunton 15.40