talkSPORT betting tips – Best bets for Saturday at Sandown
The British jumps campaign ends in style on Saturday as attention turns to Sandown for its season-ending seven-race card.
There are four competitive handicaps, the Grade 1 Celebration Chase and a pair of Grade 2s for punters to get stuck into at the Esher track.
Our expert, Clive Gildon, provides his three best bets at the meeting.
Saturday's tips
- 4.10 Sandown - Ballyadam
- 4.45 Sandown - Terresita
- 5.20 Sandown - Authorised Speed
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4.10 Sandown - Ballyadam
The Grade 2 Select Hurdle looks ripe for a bet as the market is dominated by Impaire Et Passe and Langer Dan, both of whom have to carry penalties and were involved in a hard race at Aintree only 16 days ago when less than a head separated them at the highest level.
Ballyadam has been off the track for 45 days after only giving best to Langer Dan in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, meaning he should be much fresher than the two market leaders. That was a superb effort as Ballyadam carried top weight in that race and he will be racing off 10lb better terms with Langer Dan here, so it is difficult to understand the disparity in prices.
His last run was the best of his life judged by Racing Post Ratings and he can round off a light campaign with the victory he richly deserves under Rachael Blackmore.
4.45 Sandown - Terresita
Nickle Back is a worthy favourite in the 2m4f novice handicap chase given he is a Grade 1-winning novice chaser over course and distance who is arguably well treated off 149.
However, it is hard to imagine him picking up such an easy lead this time and the mare Terresita makes more appeal off a feather weight.
She was fancied for a similar race here two starts ago but was left with too much to do after not jumping well enough, staying on nicely for third once it was all too late.
It was a much more polished performance from her next time under different tactics, though, and if her jumping holds up, she is capable of continuing her recent improvement under Gavin Sheehan.
5.20 Sandown - Authorised Speed
The jumps season ends with a 2m4f handicap hurdle and Sa Majeste is pitched in as the early favourite for Willie Mullins, much like he was in the Coral Cup when last seen.
You could hardly trust him at a relatively short price given what happened at Cheltenham and the deep field in opposition, though, and Authorised Speed looks worth playing for Gary Moore, who saddles plenty of winners at Sandown.
It has doubtless been a frustrating campaign for Authorised Speed, who was last seen falling in the Arkle (also fell on his chasing debut when going well at Ascot).
He simply hasn’t taken to fences, but looks well enough treated off 134 back over hurdles returned to a course he has won twice at from three previous runs.
His only defeat at Sandown came when he scoped dirty after finishing well beaten at short odds in the Grade 1 Tolworth. There is clearly a decent engine in there and he is lovely and fresh for the time of year.
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