Antepost Racing Tips: Goodwood and Sandown bets appeal at 20/1 and 5/1 this weekend

Saturday, Goodwood, 14:35, Class 2 Handicap 1m4f: Back Ashnak EW @ 20/121.00

I'll touch on the Sandown weather for Saturday later in the column, but rain could be on its way to the Sussex Downs and it looks as though with the double entries, trainers are hedging their bets with so many times two entries for the weekend.

The strong favourite for the 14:35 is Roger Varian's Kokbastau, who destroyed a field over 1m4f on the All-Weather last time by 5L to warrant a rise from 88 to 102.

There's obviously a massive dollop of improvement for the step up in trip, but the two wins on the All-Weather at Southwell and Newcastle are different tests completely (no baloney Sherlock) and tied in with the potential for going changes, I am not too keen on going 5/23.50 for a horse also entered at Sandown.

This race needs Kokbastau as it doesn't look a strong Saturday Handicap.

Now this could be a hopeless swing on Ashnak at 20/121.00, but if it rains, and three days of rain is due, he acts on soft and stays well.

He also has just the one entry thank the lord.

Ashnak started the season on 91, and while winless this term, his best effort was a runner-up spot at Ayr over 1m5f in soft, good to soft ground.

He finished second to Square Necker that day, and I fancied Square Necker for the Ebor at the weekend at 11/112.00.

I've watched the replay at Ayr a couple of times, and once I stopped gritting my teeth with the commentator's pronunciation of Boatswain, Square Necker was far more prominent with Ashnak a long way behind off a steady pace of 115%, so that would not have suited at all.

Ashnak stoutly stayed on and this really is a selection praying for the rain.

He could sneak into a 0-90 elsewhere but has opted for this, so it will be interesting to see where Kobatsau goes with his rating of 102, as he is the only three-figure horse in here.

Saturday, Sandown, 14:50, Atalanta Stakes: Back Calendar Girl @ 5/16.00

The weekend's racing at Sandown is made all the more tricky from an antepost view as rain is forecast for three days later in the week, and if they've been watering, it could be hornets' nest time.

For the Group 3 Atalanta over 1m I initially was drawn to Ralph Beckett's three-year-old Secret Of Life, an unbeaten filly with course form, but she holds an entry on the same day in Ireland.

Likewise Pina Sonata, doubly entered with Goodwood too this weekend.

There is a three-year-old with the weight swing, which was where I started the quest, and Calendar Girl at 5/16.00 can hopefully do us another good turn after providing the antepost column with a decent priced victory for the Dick Hern at Haydock.

That was her first outing since last October, so there is every reason to believe she can improve on that run.

Down into the straight there was a brief moment she was pushed along, but the outside effort off an even gallop and pace (finish speed bang on 100%) meant she won with something to spare.

Indeed, that "pushed along" feature of hers was evident winning the Oh So Sharp last term as a juvenile and that run style should push her towards a mile like Sandown.

Her trainer Owen Burrows does tend to run his good ones at Sandown too, and his strike-rate is decent with a 17% win rate and almost 38% placed.

Neil Sedaka crooned wistfully in the Calendar Girl song that "August, you're on the beach and you steal the show."

Let's hope she can steal the show as at least there is no double entry to contend with and this race could cut up

It's a weekend too where the great Constitution Hill could emerge from the racing labyrinths at Windsor; like St Ignatius of Loyola.

Outings with him are as rare as a plum in a pudding, so let's hope he runs.

Alan Dudman's notable antepost winners in 2026

January: The Doyen Chief Kempton WON 7/2
Vincenzo, Ascot, WON 3/1
Scorsese, Cheltenham PLACED 12/1

February: Kalium, Ascot, PLACED 12/1
Montregard, Ascot, WON [6/]
Grand Geste, Haydock, EW WON 12/1
Lookaway, Kempton, EW WON 16/1

March: Pina Sonata, Kempton, WON 8/1

April: Favour And Fortune, Aintree, PLACED 14/1
Konfusion, Aintree, PLACED 12/1
Whip Cracker, Newbury, PLACED 10/1
Sarab Star, Haydock, PLACED 10/1
President Scottie, Perth, PLACED 12/1

May/June: Washington Heights, WON 5/1
Thundering On, Epsom, WON 11/2

July: Team Player PLACED 16/1

August: Calendar Girl EW WON 14/1

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