Racing tips: Bang in a winner with Bangers And Cash

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Muse Of Fire couldn't land a blow on the runaway front runner at Catterick. Frustrating when the winner gets a lead of 15+ lengths as you feel like you never got a run for your money.

There's some belting racing on today, especially in Ireland but nothing really caught my eye as value. I really wanted to have a bet in the Irish Arkle but for 2m novices they don't really impress me from what we've seen from them so far. The Mullins horses have all won by large distances but have been running in no contests, and even in them they've not jumped great. I wouldn't be touching Appreciate It at those odds, he shouldn't be favourite for me, he jumps too slow and gives his fences too much air.

Sandown 1:45

Taking on Dolos in what is his Gold Cup every season could be a little risky, but I think the value in this race is the Ex-Willie Mullins horse, FAST BUCK.

I think the key to this horse is having him lead or sit close to the pace. He's been swapped around a fair few yards in recent years and for the four runs for Dan Skelton and the first three for Jane Williams, he was held up in every single one. For some reason, they decided to go back to a front running style under Jamie Moore last time at Lingfield and it shows that it suits him. He had three runs for Paul Nicholls and was positioned prominently, he didn't quite win as he fell on his first run,  but he did finish as runner-up on his second run when conceding a lot of weight to the winner. His runs for Willie Mullins were best when he led, which included a Listed success.

Jamie Moore is booked again for today's ride, which I can only see as being a positive. There is some other noticeable front runners which might be a nuisance, but he got taken on for the lead last time and Jamie Moore was happy to let him settle just in behind before his good jumping took him to the front.

He was raised 8lbs for his easy success but the form looks decent with the runner-up going close earlier this week, and he did it with plenty of authority, dawdling around when getting too far in front, so he should be able to tackle the increase in weight.

Sandown 2:55

This race has tended to be won by horses carrying a decently low weight with 6 of the 7 renewals being won by a horse carrying 10st 10lbs, so with that in mind I've gone for SCHALKE who is running from bottom weight of 10st 8lbs, with Aaron Anderson taking a further 5lbs off so is effectively running off 10st 3lbs.

This is a tough race, as you'd expect for a big pot handicap on a Saturday, but I do feel like this horse at the bottom weights could be well up to winning this, even though he's up in grade. He is an 8yo so not exactly a spring chicken, but his run last time out was impressive and it looks like a horse who is still climbing through the handicap.

The form of the win seems reasonable when you consider he beat the ‘correct' horse into second place. The runner-up had previously won three of his last four runs until meeting Schalke who easily put him in his place. I realise the form isn't comparable to some of the better horses in this race, but it's not terrible and running off such a low weight he has to be respected.

Also, this is Rebecca Menzies' first-ever runner at this track so that goes to show that they really fancy their chances of landing some good prize money. He's an EW price so take advantage of the extra places.

Sandown 3:30

Backing horses in form is often the best way to go and that's why I'm backing BANGERS AND CASH for this tough handicap chase.

The problem with backing a horse who is on a roll is whether they have gone up too far in the handicap or not, and my answer for Bangers And Cash is that I think he still has more to give off a handicap mark of 132. He has been terrific in his last two chases and has won well on both occasions, other than in the final furlong at Market Rasen last time out where he did get a little tired and that invited the chances of a closer to run him down.

With the fact that he was getting tired over 3m 3f at Market Rasen, I think this drop in trip to 3m, though a stiff 3m, will suit. He jumps well, which should bode well for the jumping test that Sandown has to offer and he seems to have a high cruising speed for this trip and I feel like he will be swinging hard on the bridle when jumping the pond fence, and that should be able to give him every chance of climbing the hill and getting the win.

Musselburgh 1:28

Whenever John McConnell sends his horses to the UK they have to be seriously respected as his strike rate is superb, especially when sending them to Scotland. His runner, DRUMBEAR comes to this race with a cracking chance of making it 2/2 over fences after making a very good chase debut last time at Limerick.

The form of the race looks strong with the runner-up, Limerick Lace (a previous winning tip), going on to win next time out in good style. Drumbeat made all that day, and that's something which is often quite good at Musselburgh as it is quite a tight, nippy track. He looked like he was going to be beaten by Limerick Lace who loomed up by the sides of him but he battled on strongly in the manner of a horse who would appreciate further, so seeing them sending him up in trip is hardly a surprise.

The ground shouldn't be a problem for him even though he won on soft ground last time. The current description is good to soft at Musselburgh, but that'll probably ride closer to good due to their great draining system, but that shouldn't be a problem for him as he's won on good ground before.

His jumping was excellent for a chasing debut and if he can build on that, I think he'll be tough to beat with a 5lb claimer taking the ride.

Musselburgh 2:03

I think it should be of major notice that Johnathan Burke has gone all the way up to Musselburgh for one ride when you look at the good racing down at Sandown where he probably could've picked up a few rides.

Burke has been booked in to ride the Sandy Thomson DOYEN BREED. This horse was a decent novice last year who finished as runner-up behind some good horses like Does He Know and Threeunderthrufive. His chase mark has dropped down to a good mark in my eyes (136) and this looks like a mark he can exploit now he's stepping up in trip to the marathon type of races which is something that Sandy Thomson does so well in, as we saw recently in the Border National at Kelso where he had the winner, who also runs in this race.

I really like the betting angle of when a trainer sends a horse out over hurdles for their first run of the season and then chucks them into a big race like this Edinburgh National. It gives you the sense that they have had this race in mind for some time and have tried their best to get him prepped for this target. Yes, his run over hurdles didn't do much in terms of performance but it would've helped blow away any cobwebs from his break and kickstarted his training for this race, as well as helping him get used to the wind surgery he had in September.

I'm a big fan of Johnny Burke, he's one of the best in the business in my eyes, though not having the accolades of some, but he wouldn't be coming up to Scotland for one ride if he wasn't confident on winning.

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