SANDOWN has been hard hit by rain the last few days, but fingers crossed a cracking card gets the green light on a top weekend of racing in both Britain and Ireland.
Our man Jack Keene has picked out his best bets on ITV and is hoping to fire in a couple of good-priced winners.
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Here's hoping Sandown goes ahead because some of the races there on Saturday are humdingers.
In the Scilly Isles, which is one of the races of the season so far, MESSIRE DES OBEAUX (1.50 Sandown) looks the bet.
Alan King has done a remarkable job to get this lad back and winning at a high level after serious injury threatened to end his promising career.
He's a horse with plenty of back-class, having won a Grade 2 over hurdles at this track in 2016 before going on to land the Challow and finish placed at both the Cheltenham Fesitval and Aintree.
He made his belated chasing debut in December, jumping well and travelling strongly throughout on his way to a comfortable victory.
And he followed up in the Dipper at Wincanton last month, thumping the very smart Protektorat and Lieutenant Rocco, who bolted up at Ffos Las on Thursday.
Of the market principles he's arguably the best suited to this 2m4f trip. Hitman (for all he shapes as though he will stay) has yet to race beyond 2m and Shan Blue drops back in distance having bagged the Feltham at Kempton.
Heavy ground is a slight worry, but it's not ideal for any of them and it should at least be wet ground they can slog through as opposed to tacky, holding ground.
I know jockey Daryl Jacob thinks the world of him, so he edges the verdict for me. I can't wait for this race.
Later on the card, I'll be having a few quid on DEISE ABA (3.30 Sandown) who is trying to win this race for the second year running.
He bagged this in ready fashion off 2lb lower on soft ground 12 months ago and went on to acquit himself really well at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing a good fifth in the Kim Muir.
Up to now, this campaign has been a bitter disappointment. Connections will have had high hopes for him this winter.
But he has been freshened up and Philip Hobbs' runners are generally in better nick now, while he is also fitted with first-time cheekpieces.
He goes well at this track and he has slipped to an attractive mark, so it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.
Saturday selections (advised odds correct at time of writing)
Saturday
1.50 Sandown – Messire Des Obeaux 1pt WIN @ 4-1
2.05 Musselburgh – Christopher Wood 2pts WIN @ 4-1
3.30 Sandown– Deise Aba 1pt WIN @ 9-1
- (Column started August 6) rolling P&L: +17.3pts
I'll also be having a punt at Mussleburgh, where CHRISTOPHER WOOD (2.05 Musselburgh) looks to have an excellent chance for Paul Nicholls.
He ran well under top-weight behind an unexposed horse of Dan Skelton's who was well ahead of his mark at Kempton over Christmas.
He likes it around Musselburgh and was a convincing winner of a C&D handicap last winter.
Angus Cheleda's 7lbs claim is an absolute steal, and this isn't a race with a great deal of depth.
He is reported in good form at home and he looks a rock-solid win bet.
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