Megan Nicholls Racing Preview – Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Leopardstown 1.50 – Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle
This looks a cracker on paper, but I’m sticking with Hello Neighbour (15/8).
I’ve followed him for a while both on the Flat and when he made his debut over hurdles last time and I think this is a horse who has a lot of ability. I’m also a big fan of his sire, Harzand, who I think will become very popular quite quickly.
He’s a horse with a lot of speed and I like the application of a hood which will hopefully help him settle a bit better than he did the last day.
If it does the trick, he should take all the beating on his way to a tilt at the Triumph Hurdle in March.
Megan’s Tip: Hello Neighbour WIN
Sandown 2.00 – Handicap Chase
I’ll back Gunsight Ridge (9/2) here. He looked like he was going to put up a big performance on his return at Cheltenham in November before falling late on.
I think he was probably going to beat Matata that day and that form has held up really well, though he was never going at Kelso last time and I think you can put a line through that run.
He’s been freshened up since and he’s run well at Sandown before.
Megan’s Tip: Gunsight Ridge WIN
Musselburgh 2.17 – Scottish County Handicap Hurdle
I like the look of Balhambar (4/1) here.
He’s an improving horse who has run well on both starts this season and I’m hoping he can build on that and take this.
Megan’s Tip: Balhambar WIN
Sandown 2.35 – Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase
Wouldn’t be amazing to see Kalif Du Berlais (10/3) win after the news of one of his joint-owner John Hales’ death on Thursday?
I know he’s a horse my Dad has always held in very high regard and Harry Cobden thinks a lot of him too. He was really impressive in a small field at Cheltenham last time and the soft ground shouldn’t be an issue either.
I’m hoping he can make John Hales proud and win this.
Megan’s Tip: Kalif Du Berlais WIN
Leopardstown 2.55 – Irish Arkle
Another belting race and we get to see Majborough (8/13 fav) again and I can’t wait.
I fell in love with him in the paddock before the Triumph last year and I think there is so much more to come.
You had to be impressed by his chasing debut at Fairyhouse and he should improve for that.
I favour him over his stablemate Il Atlantique (11/4) as I just feel he’s got a touch more tactical speed than his main market rival and that could prove the difference.
He’s a short price for a reason in my opinion.
Megan’s Tip: Majborough WIN
Sandown 3.07 – Handicap Hurdle
I do know Henri The Second (3/1 fav) has had this as his target for a while and he goes really well at Sandown as he showed last time.
I would like to think he can go really well again, especially as he gets a nice bit of weight from the top horses like Shoot First.
At a bigger price, keep an eye on Red Dirt Road (7/1). He’s quite unexposed and likes soft ground, so I could see him running quite well here.
Megan’s Tip: Henri The Second WIN; Red Dirt Road EW
Musselburgh 3.22 – Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle
This looks like a nice opportunity for Intense Approach (SP).
He was impressive at Cheltenham last time under Harry Cobden and while he’s got to give weight away to the majority of his rivals, he’s the horse I believe has the most ability.
It seems to be a good bit of placing from connections, who do really when they send horses over to British shores, and I expect him to go in again.
Megan’s Tip: Intense Approach WIN
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation