We have six cards to enjoy today, with the standout action coming from Sandown, where the EBF Final and the Imperial Cup headline the card with two cracking handicap hurdles. We landed a nice winner last week when Kilwaughter scored at Newbury at 3/1, and hopefully we can boost our Festival funds again with another winner or two today, on what again looks a tricky Saturday.
13:58 Gowran Park – MANOIR DE MIRANDE (6/4 Generally)
Gordon Elliott is enjoying a fantastic season and has several leading chances at next week’s big festival. He could head to the Cotswolds in good spirits after success in the opener at the County Kilkenny track with MANOIR DE MIRANDE, who holds strong claims under the excellent Jack Kennedy.
The Gigginstown-owned gelding won a strong French bumper by two and a half lengths, beating Milpat, a talented horse trained by Jamie Snowden who has since won a Huntingdon bumper, as well as Macshadow Des Crai, who has joined Nicky Henderson and finished a good second in a Market Rasen maiden hurdle. Manoir De Mirande fell at the last when looking a major player on his hurdling debut at Cork before racing far too keenly at Leopardstown next time.
On his latest run he finished second to a useful Mullins four-year-old, pulling seventeen lengths clear of the rest on heavy ground, conditions he should have no problem handling again here. He sets the form standard and should have enough to get off the mark over hurdles.
15:20 Ayr – TRIPLE CROWN TED (5/2 Generally)
In his six starts to date, TRIPLE CROWN TED has been very consistent, recording two wins, three placed efforts and a fourth place finish in a ten runner contest. He has some solid bumper and novice form to his name and made an encouraging start to life in handicaps with a half length victory at Kelso over this trip. He was probably value for more than that margin, having been three lengths clear after the last before idling once hitting the front.
He was raised 4lb for that success but still looks fairly treated on his novice form. He clearly likes the track, relishes soft ground and looks capable of further progress for a yard that has won two of the last three renewals of this race.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
13:58 Gowran Park – MANOIR DE MIRANDE (6/4 Generally)
15:20 Ayr – TRIPLE CROWN TED (5/2 Generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 4:50pm Friday 6th March
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Please note that although Matt has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
