Juliette's Weekly Frolic
I cannot see why United Racecourses wish to bury the charm and character of Sandown under the heap of steel and escalators which will undoubtedly follow their modernisation there. Prices will soar to an Ascot level at the course which once distinguished itself in a free supply of racecards and an obliging blind eye towards fifteen-year-olds wriggling through their turnstiles of its Silver Ring. However, even my fondness for the place was severely tested by last Saturday's second short-heading in the B & H Hurdle: it is hard when a mere nose can swing the difference between some long overdue glory at £109 and an ignominious slump to £88. Nevertheless, if history will kindly repeat itself once more at Cheltenham this Saturday much consolation is promised Simian provided a first victory in the 1970 Massey Ferguson so it's simply a matter of where to place my golden touch this time. Australian giant, Crisp, has it all to do with 12 stone 71b in this company, although 81b better off, Leap Frog is favourite and thus eliminated• on principle. Titus Oates is attractively priced and ex-novice Ben Dearg temptingly weighted, so I favour a second chance for IVIackeson faller Royal Relief. Now 101b better off with the winner, Gay Trip, he also gets 12Ib from his Cheltenham. Festival conqueror, Crisp, and can be forgiven an unhappy performance in the mud then. A more confident selection is Canasta Lad in the preceding 'Trial Hurdle.' A top novice last season, he put up a great effort, despite a troubled passage, when second in the Berkshire Hurdle and can win while the peak fitness of Boxer and Coral Diver is still in question.
£2 ew Royal Relief, £3 to win Canasta Lad,
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