Saturday’s Racing Tips – Cheekpieces can relight the fire for Resplendent Grey

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It was nice to walk away with at least one winner on Friday, but it wasn't the horse I expected it to be.

See The Fire looked in need of the run for her run at Sandown. She loomed up on the outside like she was coming with a winning run, but as soon as she hit the front, she had nothing left in the tank.

Windlord had no excuses, and might've needed the run as well for his race.

Remmooz won on his debut at Doncaster, and it goes to show that when Owen Burrows sends his horses up to Doncaster and northern-based tracks, they are going there with a live chance. I actually missed the race as I was driving, but he looked clued up considering it was his first time on a racecourse and then battled hard to get the win.

Kitzbuhel 11/8 – Sandown 3.00

This Grade 2 is a tricky affair as the majority of the horses in the lineup have had tough seasons, which is why I've opted for Kitzbuhel, who was disappointing in the Grade 1 3m race at Aintree last time out.

In terms of ratings, this race is up for grabs, but as we all know, ratings are not an accurate representation when it comes to Graded races, and I would say this is between Lucky Place and my selection, with the Harry Skelton mount having a chance at decent odds. Kitzbuhel looked like a potential Willie Mullins superstar on the back of his two wins earlier in the season over shorter trips, recording an RPR of 152. Last time out he was far too keen in the early stages of the race, which is why he did not manage to see the three miles out at Aintree, but this shorter trip and a likely decent gallop to aim at, combined with him wearing a hood should allow him to settle and see this trip out.

The ground shouldn't be an issue as he won on good to yielding on his first start for Willie when beating a solid yardstick in Colonel Mustard.

Resplendent Grey 13/2 EW (5pl) – Sandown 4.10

Having a punt in the big handicap of the day is something I like to do and I am giving another chance to Resplendent Grey who ran a very strange race in the NH Chase at Cheltenham.

I thought the step up to 3m 6f at Cheltenham was going to suit him down to the ground, and in some ways it did, but he didn't look comfortable last month. He was carrying close to top weight and looked laboured from an early stage, so to see him being placed in fourth was quite incredible as he looked to have no chance turning for home and even before that. He was staying on very strongly at Cheltenham, but at the point, the race was already sewn up, but given the fact we know he stays the trip, bodes well for today's race.

You can't go wrong with backing the combination of Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen at the moment, and given how lazily this horse can run, having Sean in the saddle is a huge positive as he will always chuck the kitchen sink at his mount. Olly has opted for the cheekpieces, which I think could be a great move as it should make him more enthusiastic and if he can travel better through today's race, he is a huge player whilst carrying 10st 2lbs.

Just because there's a shed load of racing on, doesn't mean you have to get too heavily involved, as that's the quickest way to the poor house.

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