The Irish have a great phrase, “he didn’t lick it off the street.” My love of horse racing is a perfect example, having passed through the Watkins generations.
My father loves a system, and whilst I won’t elaborate on all the details, he loves a horse striking whilst the iron is hot.
He is likely, therefore, to be squarely behind Jonjo O’Neill’s Lithic, who looks to follow up a sauntering success last Sunday at Huntingdon in this afternoon’s valuable EBF final at Sandown (1350 GMT).
Despite carrying a 5lb penalty for that recent success, he looks well handicapped on earlier form and certainly on the basis of that win. This is a much tougher race, but trainer O’Neill is a past master at peaking his horses for the big targets in the Spring, and in Aidan Coleman he has top class assistance from the saddle.
While I have respect for the potentially improving Man From Mars, this is no time to resist my genetic pre-disposition, and Lithic should be supported to complete a quick-fire double.
Recommendation: Lithic, (Sandown 1350), 9/1 Paddy Power & Betfair
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Click here for the Daniel Watkins Cheltenham Guide 2017
