Saturday, June 17, 2000

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THE VALUE BETTING COLUMN EVERY SATURDAY
SANDOWN, SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2000

Sir Mark Prescott is an extremely shrewd handler when it comes to handicaps, so the fact that Triple Dash has dropped over a stone in the official ratings since his first run this season could be significant. However, he has put in four disappointing runs so far this campaign. BP 20/1 (C)

2) 46/04 Choto Mate (IRE) Richard Hannon 4-9-07 Patrick Dobbs (5) (10)
Dark Blue and White diabolo, Dark Blue cap, White star.

Choto Mate did not run as a three-year-old because he was suffering from chips and other ailments. East Everleigh-based Richard Hannon believed that the Brief Truce colt would suffer from a mark of 89, which he began the season off, and he is only 3lb lighter than that today. Has shown a glimmer on his two outings this season.BP 25/1 (T, H)

3) 158-1 A Touch Of Frost (B) George Margarson 5-9-04 Philip Robinson(12)
Purple, Black chevron and sleeves, White cap, Purple diamond.

This one looked better than ever on her seasonal debut when running on well to win by three lengths in a minor event at Thirsk. However, she will need to do better here because she is on a mark 11lb higher than she has ever won a handicap off. Each-way chances for this very consistent sort. BP 6/1 (L, T)

4) 8-748 Smooth Sailing Kevin McAuliffe 5-9-04 Willie Supple (3)
Dark Blue, Red stars, Red sleeves, Dark Blue armlets, quartered cap.

Despite winning a novices' hurdle at Leicester in January, Smooth Sailing has not won on the Flat for over two years. Not a bad run when fourth at Kempton last time but you cannot back him with too much confidence even though he has dropped 2lb in the ratings. BP14/1 (H)

5) -0416 Volontiers (FR) Peter Harris 5-9-04 Tony Beech (5) (2)
Emerald Green and Black check, Black sleeves.

Volontiers did well as a three-year-old winning a Listed race at Epsom's Derby meeting. When he won at Thirsk earlier this season there is little doubt that he was very well handicapped. Off a 7lb higher mark today he might not find things so easy, but cannot be totally ruled out. BP15/2 (C)

6) 2004 Temeraire (USA) David Cosgrove 5-9-03 Jimmy Fortune (11)
White, Dark Green epaulets and armlets.

David Cosgrove's charge is 5lb better off with Celtic Exit than when beaten two lengths into fourth place by that one on his last outing. Debatable whether Temeraire can turn the placings around, but it is not totally inconceivable. BP 8/1 (L)

7) 6010 Elmhurst Boy Simon Dow 4-8-13 Paul Doe (9)
Light Green, Red star, sleeves and star on cap.

Elmhurst Boy has been busy this year already having raced eight times. His three career successes have all come over seven furlongs, including his only victory of the season at Brighton earlier this month. Only 3lb higher here, but another one not to have too much faith in. BP14/1 (C, L)

8) -5051 Celtic Exit (FR) (T) Ian Balding 6-8-13 Kieren Fallon (6)
Dark Blue, White star.

One of the lesser lights of Ian Balding's Kingsclere stable, nevertheless he won in really good style at Goodwood eight days ago. The ex-French performer has gone up 5lb for that success, and could well be good enough to defy the handicapper. However, he looks poor value. BP 5/2 (L)

9) 3766- Dilkusha (IRE) Brian Meehan 5-8-12 Richard Quinn (4)
Dark Blue, Light Blue diamond and diamond on cap.

Dilkusha has won in each of the last two seasons and will enjoy the fast ground at Sandown today. Last year he won on his seasonal debut with Richard Quinn in the saddle, and the combination has a chance of repeating that performance here even off a 4lb higher mark. BP14/1 (C)

10) 0009 Threat Stuart Williams 4-8-10 Dane O'Neill (7)
Dark Green, White chevrons on sleeves.

Interestingly Threat has not won since he made his racecourse debut in July, 1998 when with John Gosden. He raced off a mark of 98 on his first appearance in handicap company this season and is down to his lowest mark ever of 75 today. If you are searching for an outsider, you could do worse than this one, who did finish fourth in a Listed contest at Haydock just over a year ago. He last raced off 80 at Goodwood in the race won by Celtic Exit and was in front from the two to one furlong markers before weakening. Holding up a bit longer could see this price look very generous. BP 33/1 (ALL)

11) 91-07 Redswan (B) (T) Stuart Williams 5-8-07 Willie Ryan (1)
Emerald Green, Red chevron, diabolo on sleeves and star on cap.

6lb better off with Celtic Exit for a four lengths beating last time. Theoretically not really enough but Redswan did stumble slightly four furlongs out and might be considered unlucky. Definite each-way possibilities if he is not too keen. BP 8/1 (L, T)

12) 0-160 Teofilio (IRE) (B) Angus McNae 6-8-06 Jamie Spencer (8)
White, Royal Blue stripe, sleeves and cap.

Last year's winner of this race, and only races off a mark 3lb higher this time around. However ran behind Celtic Exit on last start and was never on terms with that rival that day. Meets Celtic Exit 7lb better off today and a reversal could be on the cards. 12/1 (C, T)

SUMMARY
An open sort of race but THREAT is amazingly well handicapped compared to his best form when with John Gosden. Also 33/1 is an amazing price. Get on each-way.

GOOD LUCK

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