Horse Racing Tips: Tanya Stevenson's Selections For Saturday
Tanya Stevenson joins us once again to preview all of the very best racing action this weekend.
She has cast her eye over the upcoming meeting at Sandown on Saturday, and has made three selections which can be backed with the best horse racing betting sites.
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Tanya Stevenson's Selections For Sandown (Saturday)
Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 1: 13:50 Sandown - Off The Jury
I can almost hear the groans with my pick in the 13:50 at Sandown, or the thoughts of "what is she thinking?" Well, I’m thinking there may be a bit of five places knocking around, or four might be alright.
I was covering Wetherby when Off The Jury ran out at the last. Had there not been a wide open space to his right, he might have have sailed over that final hurdle and given Outer Banks a fair old test.
The pair were clear of the remainder and Off The Jury was conceding a stone. Despite being a maiden, he has some tasty form that is as good as some of his rivals, having run up against The New Lion and Mister Meggitt.
Many will rightly be drawn to those at the head of the market. Belliano has undeniable talent and he has a very pronounced rounded action. It might still be greenness, and amongst a huge field, he may well get put off his stride.
Meetmebythesea and The Kemble Brewery renewing their rivalry is fascinating, and you can tie yourself in knots working out who will come out on top.
I've taken the sting out of it and gone for Off The Jury. He only ran 10 days ago and he is in form, although he might be a bit of a character.
The Panel Selection 1: 13:50 Sandown - Off The Jury - Each-Way
Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 2: 14:25 Sandown - Spirits Bay
Then there is the Imperial Cup, boosted and galvanised by the return of the “Bonus” for any horse who can double up at Cheltenham next week.
Lump Sum is an absolute hero, he is going to carry top weight in this, the last horse to carry a welter burden and win was 1998 Blowing Wind under 11-10.
In 1973 Lanzarote carried 12-04 and Sam Thomas’ charge has 12 stone. He is class personified and I believe he is the one they all have to worry about.
However back in 2018 I backed Call Me Lord for this race, he ran brilliantly only to be denied just a neck under 11-12 by the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Mr Antolini.
This year could well be Nigel’s again, I've been waiting for Spirits Bay ever since he ran in the International Grade 2 behind Constitutional Hill.
Ignoring the winner it was just the way that Spirits Bay travelled, and he would have been second but for making a hash of the last. He ran two solid races leading up to that, runs that left the impression, there was a plan.
Here’s hoping the Imperial Cup is that very plan connections are trying to execute. Although they will be well aware of the prowess of Lump Sum. I will have a small reverse forecast the pair as a saver.
But judging by all the plaudits Joyeux Machin received recently after his Ascot run, Spirits Bay had Dan Skelton runner held at Cheltenham, so its time to find out whether this has been the target all along.
Tanya Stevenson Panel Tip 3: 15:35 Sandown - Goshen
Sometimes it’s hard to fathom how an eventuality came to fruition, leaving the academics with furrowed brows and a dismissive shake of the head as a fairytale wins through.
There is the potential for the roof to be raised even before reaching the Cotswolds, and Sandown has seen such magic in the 15:35 previously. Back in 2018, Pete The Feat was lifted home by the roars of the crowd at the ripe old age of 14. This time, it could go to fan-favourite Goshen.
Can you believe it has been five years since fate robbed him of the Triumph Hurdle? In his career, he has won 11 of his 38 races and placed on a further 10 occasions.
He has won three Grade 2 races and took part in six Grade 1s. His best performance at the top level was perhaps the 2022 Long Walk rescheduled to Kempton, where he was only three lengths behind Paisley Park. That was then, so how about now?
He caught many out with a big run to finish third under a big weight in the Heroes Handicap, and to a certain extent he gained more plaudits than the winner.
Then the real eye-opener, when last time out, he wasn’t unduly pressured to finish off in fifth behind Victtorino and Threeunderthrufive at Ascot.
He was only five lengths behind them. Two big runs, one on very deep heavy ground and one on good. He also won exactly a year ago when beating Mayhem Mya, who then subsequently ran a stormer at Aintree.
Dreaming Blue is sure to set a good pace and Goshen might just surprise.
