Horse Racing Tips for Sandown and Ffos Las on Saturday

Horse racing tips for this weekend’s racing from Sandown and Ffos Las on Saturday 1^st February horse racing betting tips for free.

It is over forty years since the legendary Comedy of Errors and Bula fought out the finish of the Welsh Champion Hurdle. And, whilst we are unlikely to see the calibre of that pair in Saturday’s renewal, the race has undergone something of a revival since its transfer from Chepstow to Ffos Las and a change in race conditions to a Limited Handicap was implemented.

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The Paul Nichols trained Saphir de Rheu looks sure to start favourite after his recent impressive wins at Kempton and Ascot. The latter victory in the competitive Lanzarote Hurdle, came at the expense of Like Minded who finished seven lengths behind Nicholls’ inmate in third but can now meet his conqueror on 9lb better terms. Whilst it may seem folly to oppose Saphir de Rheu with a seemingly exposed ten year old, Like Minded has shown improved form this season since being transferred to Dan Skelton’s yard and on these revised terms, he can prove a decent each way alternative.

Last weekend saw Big Bucks return after a long layoff and while it was by no means a disaster, it was still somewhat disappointing. A more positive result can be expected from the Philip Hobbs trained Fingal Bay however, due to reappear after his own injury enforced absence from the track this weekend at Sandown. Hurdling for the first time since the 2012 Grand National Meeting, the Grade 1 winning son of King’s Theatre, will be returning to far more modest handicap company as opposed to being exposed to the top class field Big Bucks experienced last weekend. Anything close to the reproduction of the form shown when beating Simonsig on the same course, a little over two years ago, should see him run out a comfortable winner on Saturday. With Philip Hobbs stable firing on all cylinders at present, it could be argued that a return to top form is a distinct possibility.

Oscar Whisky looks to enhance his Cheltenham Festival prospects with victory in the Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown on Saturday. However, he may not have things all his own way with the gutsy Benvolio set to oppose. Paul Nicholls inmate has demonstrated real fighting qualities to notch up successes at Newbury and Haydock recently and he has the ability to cause a minor upset here.

The big chestnut gelding Soll looks to advertise his Grand National claims when he bids to repeat last year’s success in the Betfred Masters Chase also at Sandown and he is one of our horse racing tips. Jo Hughes’ eight year old ran well for a long way in last year’s Aintree marathon despite finding the ground a little too lively on that occasion. With the likely heavy ground on Saturday much more to his liking and sure to be sharper than his seasonal debut effort, he warrants a confident selection.

Back at Chepstow, the West Wales National can see a return to form for another Philip Hobbs inmate De La Bech who is our racing tips NAP for Saturday. This promising young chaser looked a horse to follow when running out a convincing winner at Chepstow on his penultimate start where the he had the subsequent first two home in the  Welsh Grand National behind him. It was therefore a little disappointing to see him beaten at Cheltenham next time, but given a break, he should be given another chance.

Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips:

Sandown: 2.25 Benvolio    3.00 Fingal Bay    3.35 Soll

Ffos Las:  2.05 Like Minded (e.w.)    2.40 De La Bech (Nap)

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By Joshua Doherty