Three bets at Chester & Sandown....

Friday, 29th August 2025

Three bets at Chester & Sandown….

A handicapper to follow….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the weekend’s biggest betting heats….

I’m on WITCH HUNTER in the 3.15 at Chester – up at 14s ….

…. I’m on TARKHAN at 14s in the 1.50 at Sandown….

…. and I’m on ALPHA CRUCIS at 10s & 9s in the 3.00 at Sandown….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

-----

After highlighting the horse in my column yesterday….

…. I can do no other than back WITCH HUNTER in tomorrow’s Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap at Chester (3.15)….

And I’m happy to do so at the general 14s on offer….

…. though I take the plunge knowing that it might not all click into place at the first time of asking….

…. and that the 6yo might require multiple acts of faith as the latter part of the season unfolds….

All that said – he’s very well handicapped as I pointed out yesterday….

…. he’s had a run back off a midsummer break at Newcastle – which I thought was a reasonable enough effort and one he’s entitled to strip that bit fitter for….

…. he’s 4lb shy of his last winning mark….

…. and he has form at Chester off higher marks than the one he runs off tomorrow….

…. which is encouraging – because not every horse likes it at the turning Cheshire venue….

He’s drawn in stall 5 – which is a reasonable enough starting berth….

…. and – if he isn’t well-handicapped enough as it is – he has the services of 3lb claimer Alec Voikhansky in the saddle who has won on him before….

-----

There’s been a bit of rain down at Sandown – enough to make the track good to soft in places….

…. and there’s a bit more forecast for today and for tomorrow….

I’m hoping there’s enough to make it outright good to soft by the time they go to post for the Download The BetMGM App Handicap (1.50)….

…. because that will be a positive for TARKHAN – who can be backed at the general 14s this morning….

He was given a rating of 107 when he joined Jamie Osborne’s yard from France….

…. but he’s tumbled very quickly to a mark of just 95 on the back of defeats in five races since….

He was pretty much thrashed in the first four of those – and gave the official assessor little option….

…. but last time at Chepstow – the first time he’s encountered ground in this country with some juice in it – he looked very much like a horse coming to hand….

He was only 4/9 – but he was closing on the front three at the death….

…. and each of those has already franked the form to some extent – going close in other decent handicaps….

He stays a mile, and I think he’ll appreciate the stiff 7f at Sandown tomorrow just that bit more than Chepstow….

He’s one I’d describe as potentially well-handicapped – and interesting at the price….

-----

I can’t knock the front three in the market for the Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap at Sandown (3.00)….

Of the top two Dangerman would get my nod over Saddadd simply because the latter is returning from 100+ day lay-off….

…. whilst Dangerman has been doing his best business more recently – and over tomorrow’s course and distance….

And it would be no surprise to see Castle Cove bounce back from his Goodwood performance….

He was well-fancied that last day – but got too far back – and he’s handicapped to make amends tomorrow….

All three horses are too short for me and given that there’s rain around my pick of the prices is ALPHA CRUCIS at the general 10s & 9s….

He’s at his best with juice in the ground and I reckon there’s more to come from him off a mark of 92….

He showed that this mark is not beyond him at Epsom earlier in the summer….

…. and there were good vibes about him in the market ahead of his down-the-field run at Goodwood – where it just didn’t happen for him on ground that might have been just a little too lively….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd