David Ord provides the Saturday selections from around the tracks.
Optician arrives here on a roll and is clearly a big threat, but WONDER is less exposed, in good hands and a solid alternative.
The selection won a maiden at Wolverhampton on his return from a year off in November and took a big step forward on his handicap debut at Newcastle next time.
That’s despite continually being short of racing room in the closing stages and finishing with petrol left in the tank. He’s been dropped a pound to 77 and should be very competitive if getting a clear shot at things this time.
DIBBLE DECKER - 1.15 Sandown
He was weak in the market and rusty on his return from eight months off at Ascot last time and DIBBLE DECKER could be a completely different proposition on Saturday.
He’s down two pounds to 120 and well-treated on the pick of his form over timber before a successful switch to chasing and the forecast very strong pace is in his favour. He rallied well up the straight when eighth behind East India Express at the Berkshire track and this race looks set up to play to his strengths.
NOCTE VOLATUS - 2.40 Wincanton
He drops into veteran company for the first time and NOCTE VOLATUS is fancied to resume winning ways.
The ten-year-old was on a hat-trick last time but bumped into Gemirande and while beaten seven-and-a-half lengths, stayed on well into second after the last. These are much calmer waters from an unchanged mark.
MANY A STAR - 6.35 Southwell
Things haven’t fallen his way of late but MANY A STAR is handicapped to resume winning ways when they do.
Jamie Osborne’s charge did well to finish third behind Rebel Path at Chelmsford having been forced to race wide throughout and has been dropped a handy two pounds. It means he’s four below his last winning mark and seemingly in top form right now.
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