Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from the meeting at Sandown on 8 December 2023.
SANDOWN
Race 3 – SOUTHOFTHEBORDER 5/4
SOUTHOFTHEBORDER is also in action at the Esher venue, taking on the Betfair Beacons Winter Novices’ Hurdle.
A point-to-point winner last November, the five-year-old subsequently changed hands for £145,000 at the sale held during this fixture, offering an immediate return on a fraction of that price when winning on his bumper bow in March.
Southoftheborder barely came out of third gear in beating Spirits Bay by two and a half lengths and looks a smart prospect.
Race 4 – STAY FAR AWAY 8/11
STAY FAR AWAY snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on his chasing bow and can put the experience to good use upped to Grade Two level.
Paul Nicholls is wasting no time in raising the sights of this Grade One-winning hurdler, moving straight from his narrow Exeter victory to tackle the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase.
The six-year-old was a surprise winner of the Albert Bartlett last season and while he could not follow up at Aintree, he carried plenty of confidence when switched to fences last month.
Stay Away Fay turned in a fine round of jumping on that occasion but having looked set for minor honours, a good leap at the last saw him battle back to beat The Changing Man – who reopposes – by just under two lengths.
Back in third was Grey Dawning, who has since won impressively at Haydock to give the form a sturdy look and while Stay Away Fay must concede 3lb this time, he perhaps just needed the outing after his summer break and more testing ground could also be a plus.
Race 5 – NOT SURE 9/2
NOT SURE has continued to progress since going chasing.
Managed to win at a Wetherby handicap last month and the third and fifth have won since. Has another big chance here in a longer trip.
My Silver Lining just missed narrowly to follow up her Wincanton win at Exeter, but will still be a key player from 2.2lb higher.
Robyndzone won comfortably at Ludlow and rider claim negates much of the subsequent rise in weights.
Race 6 – IMPACT DU BONHEUR 9/2
Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden can make it a double with IMPACT DU BONHEUR in the closing Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
Outclassed by Southoftheborder here last month, Impact De Bonheur should take a step forward from that run, particularly now he is in handicap company.
