Three runners for the yard this weekend and another winner would be nice. The massive CHAMPAGNE CHAMP (5:05 FRI) has been in good form this season, second on his last two starts at Kempton and Salisbury and he just needs a strong pace to chase and he should be back in the winner’s enclosure again. He needs soft ground so makes a relatively quick reappearance and although 1m6f is on the sharp side, the stiff finish should be ideal. As long as he jumps smartly from stall one and gets a decent position, he should run a decent race.
On Saturday, SIR RODERIC (1:25 SAT) bids to make it four wins for the year in the opener on Eclipse day at Sandown. He loves soft ground which is why we are taking a chance by dropping him back to seven furlongs, although once again the stiff finish will be ideal. He has gone up 18lb in the weights but his tendency to idol in front does mean that he never wins by far and he could still be ahead of the handicapper so we are hopeful of a solid effort once again. HAVANA BEAT (2:50 SAT) makes a quick reappearance in the Old Newton Cup, he has plenty of weight in a very competitive £100,000 handicap but it will give us a better understanding of the horse on just his second start for the yard.