Keep On Truckin'

It's Grand Military day at Sandown, and while the era when intrepid cavalrymen were the darlings of the steeplechasing world is long since gone, it's still a tradition which should be cherished. Many punters may not feel so warmly about the event, as they try to work out whether Lance Bombardier Sally Randell is a better rider than Staff Sergeant Ben Moore (I couldn't possibly comment), or whether Flight Lieutenant Camilla Howard is serious about her ride in the big race, or merely 'orsing about.

Such concerns aside, there still look to be a couple of outstanding bets on the card, the first of which comes in the opening race for military amateur riders (14:20). There are a number of horses here who have been hinting at better in recent starts, such as Van Diemens Land (raced on unfavoured inner at Fontwell last time), Nemo Spirit (caught the eye at Plumpton last twice) and Walden Prince (yard flying, and went well for a long way here last time), but the clear pick on recent form is Prickles, for whom the fitting of a hood has coincided with a return to her best, and she's able to race off a lower mark than when beaten a short head in a 13-runner handicap at Wincanton 9 days ago. She'll be 7 lb higher for future engagements, and looks sure to be suited by a test of stamina at the trip, especially with the forecast rain likely to remove any "good" from the going description. Today's rider, Captain Max Chenery may be a maiden under Rules, but has enjoyed success in similar events in the point to point arena.

A more appealing race for most punters is the Charles Stanley Handicap Hurdle at 16:00, in which the professionals can strut their stuff. The standout bet is Cockney Trucker, a horse who has been frustrating for the simple reason that he's been hugely consistent in similar races, and has been in the handicapper's grip for some time. A poor start to the season saw the assessor extend some mercy, however, and his mark dropped from 142 to 130 in just a few runs. He showed he was no back number at Doncaster last weekend on his first start since being bought by J.P McManus from trainer Philip Hobbs, and very nearly landed something of a touch as he pulled clear with the progressive Aaim To Prosper.

That run suggested that the 11-y-o has lost little of his old dash, and he gets a chance to show he can make his lenient mark pay today. I don't believe that there is anything at all wrong with the horse's fortitude, but such concerns are likely to keep his price realistic. It's worth bearing in mind that he will have been bought with a view to running in one of the handicaps at Cheltenham next week (Coral Cup his most likely option), but would need to pick up a penalty today if he's to have a chance of making any of those Festival engagements.

At Ayr, I thought the 15:10 was a fascinating contest, and considered weighing in with bottom-weight Nodda High Kid, the only horse ever to beat the brilliant but ill-fated Brindisi Breeze, and able to race off a mark of 104 on his handicap bow. That may end up looking very lenient, and he's one to bear in mind at inflated odds.

Recommendations:

Both at Sandown

Back Cockney Trucker in the 16:00 @ [3.0] (NAP)

Back Prickles in the 14:20 @ [4.9] (NB)