Saturday’s UK racing tips come your way from the meeting at Sandown and Wolverhampton on 9 March 2024.
SANDOWN
Race 2 – ASTA LA PASTA 7/1
There’s some progressive horses lining up for this Novices Handicap Hurdle Final, but it’s the improving Dan Skelton-trained ASTA LA PASTA that catches the eye.
Shaped as though the step up in distance would suit when staying on strongly to score at Wetherby last time. Could have more give back among handicap company.
Although he doesn’t always look straightforward there is no doubt recent Taunton winner Fire Flyer holds ability to go close off this opening handicap mark.
Hasthing caught the eye finishing seventh at Newbury last time and cannot be ruled out.
Awaythelad battled on well to beat Roger Pol at Leicester and both might feature.
Race 3 – GO DANTE 6/1
GO DANTE can finally land the big prize he has long promised in the Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle.
Olly Murphy has always held this eight-year-old in high regard, so much so he was given a shot at Grade One company when finishing fourth in the Challow Hurdle a couple of years ago.
Go Dante then spent more than a year on the sidelines, winning one of his four starts last term, before returning this season with an encouraging sixth in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham, where Champion Hurdle-bound Iberico Lord was just far too good, beating him 15 lengths.
He looked good value for a length-and-a-quarter victory over Doddiethegreat subsequently, before he clashed again with Iberico Lord in last month’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
That rival again had his measure, although Go Dante almost halved the distance between them in coming home third, and a similar effort would put him right in the mix for this prize, particularly if the ground rides on the easier side.
Race 4 – CRAZIERTHANDAISY 13/2
CRAZIERTHANDAISY can take a huge leap forward from her debut run to claim Listed honours in the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
A beautifully-bred daughter of Walk In The Park, Crazierthandaisy bumped into two more experienced rivals at Huntingdon in January, being beaten less than a length and looking a certain future winner.
This is a tougher test, but Nicky Henderson knows what is required.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 – SHOULDVEBEENARING 5/4
SHOULDVEBEENARING looks a worthy favourite on his return to action in the BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes.
He showed he can win first time up last season when triumphing at Southwell on the first of what was to be 12 starts in 2023.
Those dozen runs encompassed Group One assignments, with his last two outings of the year producing a narrow Sprint Cup second and a close-up third in the Prix de la Foret.
The ratings put him well ahead of his rivals here, with Richard Hannon’s charge also vastly favoured under the conditions of the race, so it will be disappointing if he cannot prevail.
Race 2 – SMOKY MOUNTAIN 7/1
SMOKY MOUNTAIN’S claims in the BetMGM Lincoln Trial Handicap are perhaps less clear cut, but he is worth an interest.
He has either won or finished second in all but one of his eight career outings and has a cosy seven-furlong success at this track to his credit already this year.
Smoky Mountain is upped to a mile here, but having been a short-head second over the distance at Southwell the time before last, the trip holds no fears and he could still have something in the locker.
