Saturday Racing Tips: Salt a tasty bet at Sandown

There is clearly no betting angle in the main race of the day at Sandown - I think they will come home in price order in the five-runner Coral-Eclipse at 15:45 - but luckily there are a trio of decent punting opportunities at the Esher track.

Back Ifwecan at 15.014/1 in the 14:35.

He finished second to a very well-handicapped Velox in this race off a 4lb higher mark last season and secured a timely return to form when winning by 2 ¼ lengths at Carlisle last week, bouncing out in front and never looking back.

He is 6lb higher for that win but such was his poor form prior to that victory that he remains on an attractive mark, and it is easy to see him trying to stretch this field off bottom weight from his low draw.

He was drawn in stall two last season, and is berthed there again on the inside. Let's just hope he can go one better this time around.

I will also have a saver on You're Fired at 17.016/1.

I backed him at Ascot, where he ran no race whatsoever. But apparently Graham Lee said he would have withdrawn him at the start had he been able to get hold of trainer Karl Burke, so poorly did he go down on the rattling-fast ground, and he looked after him in the race.

If he returns to the form of his earlier York second - and he does go on fast ground, which is why Lee's comments surprised me a bit - then he won't be far away. Hopefully, Paul Mulrennan will come into the race with a positive mindset.

I have to stay loyal to Commonwealth Cup fourth Salt Island in the 14:00 even if I would be very worried indeed were connections of Meccas Angel deem the ground suitable for her to run.

Back him at 8.415/2 in the win and 2.77/4 in the place market.

I put up Salt Island at 40.039/1 in this column for the new 6f race at Ascot and I was getting very excited 2f out as he was travelling powerfully just off the pace.

He couldn't live with his stablemate Muhaarar in the closing stages, but he was only just run out of the places by Limato and Anthem Alexander, and the key to the improvement that he showed there was that he was ridden closer to the pace than on his previous starts.

Now, he could be run off his feet against proper 5f speedsters here, but I liked the way he travelled so smoothly at Ascot - and they weren't slouches up against him there - and he has the potential to improve past the older brigade, though admittedly fellow 3yo Waady has to be a massive danger.

I let out a few expletives when watching Haydock on RUK on Thursday afternoon, as they had watered the track the day before despite persistent showers being forecast. And the rain duly arrived. And then some.

They changed the going to good, from good to firm, after the first race and then to good to soft after the second, and then to soft after the fourth. I was not a happy bunny.

Not great news for my 8-1 Lancashire Oaks ante-post fancy Queen Of Ice, for whom the drier the better. But at least I woke up this morning to find the ground officially good to soft. Confusing.

With more rain forecast from early Saturday morning onwards, it must be touch and go whether William Haggas lets the filly take her chance. But she has plenty of form on good ground, and this is a very winnable Group 2, so hopefully she will get the green light.

On her best form she would just about win this race (Hayodck, 14:15) especially as she should get the run of the race from the front. Fingers crossed.

If the ground does ease any further, then soft-ground lover Lady Tiana comes firmly into the reckoning and will go off a clear favourite.

Hopefully, any rain shouldn't be too much of a problem for my other ante-post punt this weekend, Watersmeet in the Old Newton Cup at 14:50.

I think this progressive handicapper will be well suited by a return to a left-handed track after an excellent effort at Ascot, and if Joe Fanning can get him near to the pace from stall 11 early doors, then I think he could be hard to beat.

Although he has never won on anything worse than good ground, it rained a lot in the morning before he won at this meeting on good ground last year. He remains a fair price at 10.09/1.

I would be worried about any deluge, though, so I want another string to my bow.

I can see why people would want to give Penhill another chance after his Newmarket flop, and I really wouldn't put anyone off Gabrial's King at 20-1+, even if he again finished weakly at Newcastle last weekend. I am convinced this strong traveller has a big handicap in him when things fall right.

The one I liked at a massive price was Saoi, but he was pulled out early this morning. So, looking at tonight and tomorrow's forecast for Haydock - even if regular readers know my feelings on the accuracy of these guessers - I want a confirmed mudlark on my side.

So, it is once more unto the breach with Gabrial's Star at 21.020/1.

He was only beaten six lengths in the Northumberland Plate last week, but I thought it was a tame effort all the same. But at least he is 1lb lower here.

His unlucky Chester Cup fifth confirmed he stays very well but he has plenty of 1m4f form and is a three-time winner in the soft, including over 1m6f here.

And, even if the forecasters do get it wrong and the ground ends up good again, then that isn't a concern either. I can see him going bouncing back to form here.


Recommended Bets
Back Salt Island at 8.415/2 and 2.77/4 in the 14:00 at Sandown in win and place market respectively
Back Ifwecan at 15.014/1 in the 14:35 at Sandown
Back You're Fired at 17.016/1 in the 14:35 at Sandown
Back Gabrial's Star at 21.020/1 in the 14:50 at Haydock


Already recommended
Back Queen Of Ice 8-1 each way in Betfair Sportsbook
Back Watersmeet at 11.010/1 in the Old Newton Cup