Ed Quigley: Weekend Watch Betting Tips - 4th February

What a blockbuster weekend of action we have. This really is a weekend to savour, with the Irish Champion Hurdle the box office attraction on Sunday as the Dublin Racing Festival rolls into town for a two day extravaganza. Sandown hosts a Grade 1 card on Saturday, and we have a plethora of top quality racing elsewhere...buckle in folks!

Ed Quigley Weekend Watch Tips

My best bet of the weekend comes at Sandown (1.45) with the 10-year-old DOLOS looking to hold every chance of following up last year’s success. Paul Nicholls has his string in scintillating form, and this gelding, who adores Sandown, can get back in the winners enclosure here.

He has a record of three wins and three placed efforts from eight starts at the track, and off 146 is only 3lb higher than 12-months ago. When you break it down specifically, his form figures in this race read 21121. Harry Cobden is in the saddle and can defy the 12 stone weight burden here.

The Scilly Isles at 2.20 is a small but select field, with a lot of eyes naturally focusing on Irish raider Gerri Colombe. I have no doubt he is the class act in the field, and if there was a horse to make up into a Cheltenham Gold Cup candidate in 12 months time he would be the one.

However, on ground which may be a bit more lively than ideal for him, it has got to be a worry. MONMIRAL has acquitted himself well over fences so far, chasing home Jonbon on debut at Warwick, and then finishing second in the Dipper at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. I think this 2m4f will suit, and Sandown is a track where he can utilise his slick jumping to best effect.

North of the border, Musselburgh hosts the Edinburgh National (2.03). Ben Pauling has been having a terrific season, banging in winner after winner, and I wouldn’t be shocked if SLIPWAY had the tools to defy top-weight and a mark of 140.

The eight-year-old oozed class when winning at Fontwell last time out, and can defy a 7lb hike in the weights. He is progressive and can book his ticket to the big one at Aintree with success here.

Ed Quigley Weekend Watch Tips

Slipway - 5/1 (2:03pm Musselburgh)

This runner is fancied to defy top weight

The aforementioned Dublin Racing Festival is a treat for Racing fans, and Antepost Armchair followers will be keeping a close eye on the likes of Sandor Clegane, Weveallbeencaught on Saturday, and Kilcruit on Sunday. Hopefully they can all run big races and book their tickets to Prestbury Park in just over 5 weeks time. It will mainly be a watching brief for me, as I think this will sort out the wheat from the chaff for numerous prospects.

However, in the Irish Arkle (2.30) I think Banbridge is a little bit overlooked in the market at 7/1. Yes on paper, this is one of the races of the season, but the seven-year-old could be a spot of value. He clearly didn’t stay over the longer trip at Fairyhouse on deep ground, and this race looks tailor made for him.