Racing betting: Western Hymn to answer John Gosden’s prayers again
In-form trainer John Gosden picked up five winners at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting earlier this month and landed the Investec Derby Trial on Wednesday with exciting Oaks prospect So Mi Dar.
On Friday he’s at Sandown for their first flat card of the season where, last year, he bagged a hat-trick.
WESTERN HYMN was one of those to come home in front 12 months ago, beating King George hero Postponed in the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes (1.50pm), and he’s worth supporting to repeat the feat at 4/5 with Betway.
He ran well in Group One company to finish third in both the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and the Eclipse last season and should have too much class for his rivals today.
Hopefully he’ll be completing a John Gosden-Frankie Dettori double as I fancy the pair to get off to winning ways with VON BLUCHER in the Esher Cup (1.20pm).
The Zoffany colt got his nose in front at the fourth time of asking when stepped up to a mile at Lingfield in October. The second, Ennaadd, has come out and won twice since and is now on a mark of 98.
My selection races off just 86 today and should take all the beating.
Midterm, in the Classic Trial, and Belardo, in the Mile, are both likely winners, but will be short prices so I’m looking elsewhere for some value.
Tom Dascombe’s GAMBIT looks to have a great chance in the final race of the day, the 10 furlong handicap (5.05pm).
The yard have suggested that he could be their first ever Derby horse so I expect him to run above and beyond his current mark of 88.
Pointers
Von Blucher 1.20pm Sandown
Western Hymn 1.50pm Sandown
Gambit e/w 5.05pm Sandown