5.00pm Sandown Tips & Betting Preview 01/09/2017

A field of 10 go to post in this Class 4 handicap raced over 1m 2f. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There could be some nicely handicapped sorts in this including Viking Hoard and Golden Wolf. However, Brian Meehan’s runner RISING may have been let in easiest of them all on handicap debut and this unexposed son of Rip Van Winkle can make a winning debut in handicaps having shown progression with each run to date. Peace And Plenty is worth a second look in the betting as market support would be significant.

1 RISING – Makes his handicap debut today following some improved efforts in maiden company. His second place effort behind Sharja Bridge last time out is a good piece of form and Brian Meehan’s Rip Van Winkle gelding looks to be going the right way. He is unexposed and this mark looks very fair and he could provide some value in this at the prices. Respected.

2 GOLDEN WOLF – Finally got his head in-front at the sixth attempt last time out at Lingfield having placed four times previous to that. He looks to be going the right way now although the handicapper has raised him a rather harsh 4lbs for a lowly maiden success in Class 6 company. The form does look relatively solid given the second ran well on Wednesday and he should improve again. This is much tougher though.

3 MISTER BLUE SKY – Has notched up two wins this season including one in Class 3 company at Windsor back in July. He’s entitled to do better today following some comfortable defeats in much better races but he remains on a mark of 79 which probably leaves him requiring some improvement to win this. Mitch Godwin is back on board but others are preferred today now back in trip.

4 KNOW YOUR LIMIT – Closely tied in with Viking Hoard having finished 3/4 of a length behind him last time out. He’s 3lbs better off with that rival today which should see him get closer although he’s been a frustrating sort and generally finds one too good in his races. There may be little value in his price today and he’s up another 2lbs without winning so the percentage call is to oppose him.

5 VIKING HOARD – Was extremely well-backed last time out and he duly landed the spoils on his first-run following a gelding operation. That clearly worked and he took advantage in first-time blinkers to win a shade cosily. Jim Crowley remains in the saddle and whilst a 5lb rise looks big, he won with a bit in hand last time out and he should make a bold bid for the double today with the blinkers retained.

6 KEEPER’S CHOICE – Won a Class 5 Salisbury maiden last time out and she makes her handicap debut today off a mark of 74. That looks relatively high although she has progressed in her two most recent outings and she’s sure to come on again today. However, this looks tougher than many of her recent assignments and she may find things happening slightly too quickly for her. She tries 1m 2f for the first time today.

7 SEE THE CITY – Hasn’t quite progressed this season following a mixed bag of performances. His fourth placed effort behind Nathan Meyer is a decent bit of form but he couldn’t follow that effort up at Yarmouth last time out and he steps up in grade today. The slightly slower ground may help having produced his best efforts on Good but he doesn’t look particularly well-handicapped in this off a mark of 73.

8 EOLIAN – Hacked up in a Class 6 Ffos Las handicap on Heavy ground last time out and he’s been raised 7lbs for that success. He shoots right up in grade today now racing off a career high mark and the ground may just be going against him with a dry forecast. He has run with credit on faster ground but his best efforts have been on Soft and he may be another that offers little value in this at the prices.

9 PEACE AND PLENTY – Bumped into a useful sort at Wolverhampton two starts ago when second of 6 in a Class 4 event. That came off today’s mark which showed it to be workable although something was clearly amiss when tenth of 15 at Nottingham last time out at Nottingham. He’s been off the track since (142 days) and he races off the same mark today. William Muir and Martin Dwyer teamed up earlier this week with a winner. The market should guide best.

10 PRECIOUS ANGEL – Finished second behind a very progressive rival at Kempton last time out who has since gone in again off an 8lb higher mark. An unchanged mark of 69 looks fair and she could be well-handicapped in this although she is stepping up in grade and will need things to fall perfectly for her to come out on top. The yard are flying at present with a 17% strike rate and it would be no surprise to see strong market support.