In-Play Racing: Saturday's jump action at Warwick and Kempton

Tipping / Graham Cunningham / 13 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Graham Cunningham recommends three in-running bets at Warwick on Saturday

"Sona Sasta is an economical jumper who stays very well and tends to catch the eye travelling well from an early stage in his races."

Big handicaps dominate the betting landscape over jumps this weekend. Kempton's Lanzarote Hurdle looks extremely tough, but Warwick's Classic Chase offers a more appealing shape and Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham has bounced off his sickbed to pinpoint a handful of suitable trading options.

It's amazing what you can get done while laid up at home groaning with a dodgy back while a workman knocks seven bells out of your bathroom next door.

So far this week I've worked my way through two series of the engaging Downton Abbey (plus a Christmas special) as well as most of the excellent Mildred Pierce and assorted episodes of the sublime Curb Your Enthusiasm.

I've also managed to go for a right touch on a 40-1 shot who traded at [1.4] before being worn down late (Quousko de L'isop at Doncaster on Wednesday) and watched with almost as much frustration while gormless BHA stewards dished out two long whip bans (for Robert Cooper and Robert Winston) which flew in the face of what most knowledgeable racing fans would define as justice.

Fortunately, both the grumbling back and the Donny frustration are easing in time to get to grips with a couple of strong jumping cards at Warwick and Kempton this Saturday. And, having decided that Kempton's featured Lanzarote Hurdle looks one for the 'too difficult tray', the horses I'm keenest on are Sona Sasta, Marodima, Captain Sunshine and Highland Lodge.

The unexposed Sona Sasta looks one of the most attractive bets of the weekend in Warwick's Classic Chase at 3.40 for several reasons.

First, he's almost certainly much better than he showed when outpaced over three miles on drying ground at Leopardstown over Christmas; secondly, he caught the eye as a very likely sort for a race like this both when sixth in last season's NH Chase at Cheltenham and when making the subsequent Welsh National hero Le Beau Bai work for his money at Chepstow in December; and third, Sona Sasta is an economical jumper who stays very well and tends to catch the eye travelling well from an early stage in his races.

Granted, it's easy to make a case for various rivals - and Major Malarkey offers clear saver potential after a promising Sandown reappearance - but with six horses out of the handicap and several others looking hard to fancy I'm more than happy to take a position on Sona Sasta at [8.0] and bigger with a view to saving the stake at [4.0] or thereabouts

The case for siding with the freewheeling Marodima in Warwick's 2.00 is simple and rests on the belief that he is ahead of the handicapper under a penalty for Thursday's runaway Fontwell success and capable of trading much shorter than his starting price even if he gets reeled in from the home turn.

It's true to say this handicap is much deeper than the one Marodima won at Fontwell but he was almost a fence clear of his rivals for much of the way and is plainly on top of his game again after a break. The fact that he's notched fairly quick back-to-back wins four times is an added plus and he's fast enough to get this bunch in trouble if they allow him any sort of rope on the final circuit.

Emma Lavelle has much more reason than most to look forward to this weekend as three of her brightest young prospects - namely Highland Lodge, Court Victory and Captain Sunshine - all face stern tests of their potential. Lavelle knows exactly what is needed to land Warwick's 3.05 having won it twice in the last three years with Labelthou and Court In Motion.

Highland Lodge has Cotton Mill to subdue in order to continue the good run but the way he forged clear of well-above-average rivals at Exeter and Haydock suggests there is every chance he is up to the job.

Last but not least, we come to Captain Sunshine.

The presence of Nicky Henderson's Huntingdon winner Hit The Headlines should ensure that this promising gelding is a backable price for Kempton's 1.40.

Captain Sunshine shaped like an assured winner in a warm novice event on his hurdling debut at Taunton. He also gets 6lb from the Henderson gelding and that might well tip the scales in his favour in the home straight.

Saturday recommendations
Back Captain Sunshine in Kempton's 1.40 and lay off at [1.5] in running
Back Marodima in Warwick's 2.00 and lay off at [2.0] in running
Back Highland Lodge in Warwick's 3.05 and lay off at [1.5] in runningBack Sona Sasta in Warwick's 3.40 and lay off at [4.0] in running