Three For The Weekend - And Post New Year Excuses!

ALL THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN

A short and sweet article to kick start 2026, and can I start by wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year. I (like many) have been far too busy eating and drinking to keep too much of an eye on racing news and politics this week (I’m only human after all), but I will attempt to get back to something akin to normal form next week onwards when all the kerfuffle dies down.

I did note that the better races continue to attract low numbers, while low class handicaps on the all-weather remain oversubscribed which tells a story about the state or UK racing at present, and the impressive return over hurdles of El Fabiolo in Ireland, but other than that it’s been turkey leftovers and too much alcohol.

On to the racing with three for Saturday…

Saturday racing

Sandown 2.25pm

Sandown may be the big meeting of the day but I will admit to struggling to find bets worthy of the name with one exception. Jubilee Alpha heads the betting for the Mares Listed race at 2.25pm and perhaps rightly so, but she is 11/8 as I write and that is too skinny. If the official handicappers have it right then the 140 rated mare is the best horse in the race – but she has to give 2lb to Fergal O’Brien’s That’ll Do Moss, who is rated 138, 2lb below here – so in theory she has an equal chance, yet is a better price at 11/2. She returned at Kempton when sent off an 11/4 chance but she may have needed the race more than connections thought, weakening late on to be beaten over 15 lengths at the line. Her previous start saw her finish a two and a quarter length second to Aurora Vega at Fairyhouse in a Grade One Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles, and if she strips fitter now as I hope than he looks overpriced to me – hopefully you agree?

Newcastle 11.50am

It’s pretty unusual to start a card with a bumper but that is the case this afternoon where I like the each way chances of One Dimensional – let’s all hope the bookmakers offer up prices accordingly. One race saw the daughter of Frontiersman finish fifth at Huntingdon, beaten close to six lengths at the line after racing in last and ending up nearest at the finish. More importantly, she was sent off at odds of 50/1 suggesting the race and experience was needed, and that was also a case of in at the deep end – a Listed race for her debut. Admittedly the form of that race is open to question, but the fact that they debuted her at that level implies she is held in high regard, and nominal improvement could see her home in front this afternoon with a more positive ride.

Newcastle 12.22pm

Off North to Newcastle for my other two suggestions, and I like the look of Luckie Devil ahead of the novice hurdle due off at 12.22pm. Second on his debut in a bumper here in March 2025, he failed to build on that with a 22 length fourth at Kelso in May, but he had excuses after getting loose beforehand in a race I feel we can ignore. A first-time hood is tried for his hurdling debut this afternoon, and as long as he doesn’t get stressed up here I think he can make the most of the 7lb he gets from form pick The Hatchet.

Sean’s selection:

One Dimensional 11.50am each way 11.50pm Newcastle