Coral Racing Club trainer, Joe Tizzard, has three runners on Saturday and this is what he had to say about their chances.

Sandown 13:10 – I Shut That D’Or

I Shut That D’Or was a 50-1 winner at Wincanton last time, he travelled strongly through the race that day, it was his first try over further than two miles so I’m sure that’s what helped him improve. He’s been hit with a handicap mark of 120 after that win, but he’s in good form at home, Harry Kimber takes off 3 pounds, and I think Sandown will suit him.

I just don’t know if the handicapper has been harsh or fair with the mark of 120, I guess we’ll find out here, but as I say there are plenty of positives and I can see him going well.

Wetherby 13:35 – War Lord

We threw him in at the deep end last time, but I just don’t think he was right that day, as he never travelled and never jumped. We’ve put a tongue strap on him here just in case that was bothering him at Cheltenham, and he’s another who seems in good form at home. He’s back in calmer waters here, carrying top weight in a small field, so he should be able to dictate matters more.

This looks a lovely opportunity to get him back on track, he’s run well at Wetherby before, and he shouldn’t be too far away.

Brendan Powell who is booked for the ride had this to add:

"He has the best form out of the five runners in the race. He is obviously carrying 12 stone on his back, but he has that weight for a reason. He was disappointing at Cheltenham last time out, but he just had an off day. If he returns to anything near his form from last season, he will take all the beating in this race."

Sandown 13:45 – The Widdow Maker

With Brendan Powell riding at Wetherby, Adam Wedge takes the ride on our other Sandown runner, The Widdow Maker, in what looks a competitive and open two-mile handicap chase.  He’s just back from a wind-op he had before Christmas, he’s had one before so hopefully it will just help him find that little bit extra.  While he’s been a consistent horse once again this season, anything we can do to help him improve is only a positive.

He schooled well at home on Wednesday, and I think the track and trip will suit, so I’d hope he’d have a decent each-way chance.


Coral Racing ambassador, Brendan Powell, also shared his thoughts on his other rides at Wetherby on Saturday and his two chances at Hereford on Sunday.

14:10 Wetherby – Hashtag Boum

I had a look back through this horse’s point-to-point form, and out of all the horses which finished behind him on his sole start, they have all come out and won. He ran under Rules at Catterick, and he did not perform well. Possibly the course did not suit him there. I am hopeful of much more from him this time, and as I say, with that points’ form stacking up all the time, this horse is one to keep an eye on.

15:23 Wetherby – New Found Fame

This horse was entered at Chepstow on Friday, and if he did run in that race, he would not feature here. I’ve not ridden him before, but he is a winner over hurdles, and he is now going handicapping where I am sure he will have more success.

Sunday

14:03 Hereford – Don’t Be Robbin

He has a relatively light weight in this race, and it appears to be a workable mark. I have ridden him to victory before, as we scored at Taunton a couple of years ago. He will need to bounce back from his record form, but the handicapper is giving us a chance to do that.

15:33 Hereford – Ardmayle

He is a horse who still bounces around at home like he is a four-year-old, as he still has a lot of enthusiasm. I am hoping he builds on his latest run at Southwell. He normally shows his best form around spring, but this looks like a race where he should be competitive. 2m will suit him, as will the decent ground.