Sandown Friday Betting Tips Pt 1

There is plenty of quality racing going on at Sandown right now as we shift into the flat season and, while many are squirreling away the bulk of their bankrolls for Saturday’s incredible card, there are still plenty who will be taking a stab at the several group level races kicking off on the Friday. 

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The opening act is the Bet365 Esher Cup, which is a 1m14y handicap with a solid enough purse to attract a bevy of quality three-year-old contenders. The favourite going into this one is John Gosden’s Sacred Act, who retains William Buick and will be looking to follow up that opening race at Nottingham from earlier this month with another solid victory. 

One the day, he was sent off at a 10/1 price tag and got the better of a tricky field of nine that included some respected runners such as Godolphin’s Fast Delivery and fellow-joint-favourite Art of War for Tom Dascombe. The way he closed out that race leaves no questions over his ability to actually handle the distance and you can expect Lady Bamford’s charge to deliver - albeit at a much shorter price. 

Andrew Balding’s End of Line gets his seasonal debut here after a six-length victory at Doncaster last season when sent off at 25/1. He toppled a strong field of 14 on the day and you can expect him to be a serious contender. Balding’s yard is in form and there’s good reason why he trades in the 10/3 range right now. 

One of the key bankers for the whole day could very well be in the second race as Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope gets Ryan Moore booked for the trip and a 6/4 price floated by the bookies right now. There are some very solid selections lining up against him including Godolphin’s Sky Hunter at 13/8 and Frankel’s brother Noble Mission at an 11/2 price tag right now. 

Robin Hoods Bay is an interesting 10/1 outsider who looks like he be able to make a move if you can get somewhere that pays three places on this race. 

Top-rated Brian Ellison runner Top Notch Tonto could make a move here in the third race but looks like one of the more vulnerable favourites making his seasonal debut against Group 2 company. The bookmakers currently have him trading at a slim 5/2 but the one to watch here is likely to be the Andrew Balding charge Tullius who gets an 8/1 price from the bookmakers and looks set to continue moving forward after significant improvement last time out.