‘He is an absolute big of a horse’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday ideas
The Daily Star Chief Tipster believes a mud-loving stayer is the best bet at Sandown which needs to survive a morning inspection
Mr Vango is Jason Heavey’s nap at Sandown on Saturday(Image: PA)
TRAINER Sara Bradstock will be praying that Sandown survives a morning inspection on Saturday for her pride and joy MR VANGO (3.42, nap).
The giant chaser will relish the hock-deep ground at the Esher track if the meeting gets the nod.
The 10-year-old contests the Virgin Bet Masters Chase and, even with 12 stone, I fancy him to out-stay his rivals.
Mr Vango’s sole start at Sandown resulted in victory.
The Paul Nicholls-trained HENRI THE SECOND (3.10, nb) is another with winning form in bad Sandown ground and, overall, he has a very good record at the track.
He arrives on the back of a short-head second four weeks ago and I reckon Harry Cobden can steer him to another success in the Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle.
Cobden could have a fruitful day at Sandown with good chances on NORN IRON (1.25) and the in-form BOLLIN THOU (12.55).
Another horse who won’t mind the conditions is CLASSIC MAESTRO (2.02) who looked in need of the race at Haydock recently and should take a step forward in the two-mile handicap chase.
The ITV cameras are also at Musselburgh for its Cheltenham trials weekend and MADE U BLUSH (1.10) gets the vote for Dan Skelton in the bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle.
STAR OF GUITING (1.43) handled the tight track well to win on New Year’s Day and off bottom weight is tipped to follow up in the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle for trainer Jennie Candlish.
The feature contest sees The Kalooki Kid bid for back-to-back victories but he may have to give second best to TRAPRAIN LAW (2.20) who was third to him last year, beaten six lengths, but is now 10b better off at the weights.
Apart from the Irish Gold Cup, the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase is also live on ITV if the weather gods are kind to Leopardstown on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival.
KARGESE (2.55), a winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year in the County Hurdle, can make the most of the 7lb mares’ allowance she receives from Romeo Coolio.
Gordon Elliott has been putting it up to Willie Mullins all season and I like KAZANSKY (1.15) in the Grade One Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle.
He showed excellent stamina and a great attitude to win at Limerick on Boxing Day.
Similarly, only fools would ignore MANGE TOUT (1.50) in the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle.
The mare is three from three over hurdles and the 7lb sex allowance will be a big advantage in terribly testing ground.
JASON HEAVEY’S SATURDAY TIPS
SANDOWN
12.20 Ionian
12.55 Bollin Thou
1.25 Mon Champion (nb)
2.02 Classic Maestro
2.40 Sixmilebridge
3.10 Henri The Second (trb)
3.42 Mr Vango (Nap)
MUSSELBURGH
1.10 Made U Blush
1.43 Star of Guiting
2.20 Traprain Law
3.00 Absolutely Doyen
3.37 Platin Moon
4.11 Kelce
WETHERBY
12.30 Kaydence
1.00 Athair Mor
1.33 Just Golden
2.08 Bay City Roller
2.45 John Barbour
3.15 Good Boy Bobby
3.50 Macgayveur
LINGFIELD
12.35 Manhattan Chute
1.05 Survie
1.38 Hijo De la Luna
2.15 Myna
2.50 Marshman
3.20 Knight Templar
3.55 Michaela’s Boy
4.30 No Knee Never
NEWCASTLE
4.25 Londoner
4.55 Our Absent Friends
5.25 Majestic Dane
5.55 Beattie Is Back
6.25 Relevant Range
6.55 Full Gas
7.25 Ana Emaraaty
