Warrior To Tame The Lion At Sandown

There was late drama yesterday when Masar was ruled out of the Eclipse at Sandown and Aidan O’Brien’s surprising decision to run Saxon Warrior now very much looks worth the gamble.

Warrior To Tame The Lion
A lot was said after the Derby about how racing was the winner because of Godolphin had a powerful force at the top level again so hopefully Masar’s absence won’t be a long one but in the meantime Saxon Warrior can benefit.

Finishing third in the Irish Derby last week resulted in Aidan O’Brien telling us that the Guineas winner would come back to a mile and a quarter but we didn’t expect it that quick.

Roaring Lion is probably at his best over 1m2f and should serve up a tasty clash here but Saxon Warrior beat him over a mile and can be expected to do so over a mile and a quarter with the extra two furlongs of the Derby trip just stretching him. The Ballydoyle horses are known for their toughness so the one week turnaround, albeit rare, shouldn’t be a massive concern for Saxon Warrior.

Happily could have a big say getting all the allowances so the strong Ballydoyle hand are likely to be the fore but…

Saxon Warrior can retrieve his season in the absence of the Derby winner at Sandown.

Dawn Winner For Bolger
Racing at Naas today will see a number of horses attempting to continue impressive winning sequences. Soffia goes in search of a hat-trick, as does Shore Step, but Sheila’s Hope is looking to make it four from four for the year in the 1m2f handicap for John McConnell.

Sheila’s Hope certainly owes connections nothing after she made it three-in-a-row at Naas last time and she has gone up 23lbs in the handicap since her winning began and that might just stop her now.

Dawn Hoofer is the preference now. Jim Bolger’s charge seemed to come into form when stepping up in trip and that was around the same time when Bolger’s horses began to find form and after winning at the Curragh last weekend…

the three-year-old might be able to go in again and exploit the three-year-old age allowance he has in this race.

Lee To Snare Major Honours On The Hill
If you haven’t been racing on the hill at Bellewstown it is worth putting next month’s fixture in your diary. The track always manages to attract a crowd and a great atmosphere and some decent racing as well and there is a €30,000 pot for their extended 2m hurdle this evening.

Dermot McLoughlin will make the trip across Meath to run Dixie Lee and his stable star might be able to land another nice prize.

Dixie Lee beat a nice type of Jessica Harrington’s, Holding Pattern, when winning at Down Royal and she looks like a mare that could progress a bit further than her current rating of 125.

The seven-year-old returned after a break to finish third at Listowel before winning at Down Royal and…

the nicer ground seems to make a difference to the dual bumper winner who gets the nod here.

Recommended Bets:
Saxon Warrior (2/1) – 2.10 Sandown
Dawn Hoofer (5/2) – 5.05 Naas
Dixie Lee (4/1) – 6.20 Bellewstown

*Prices correct at time of publication.