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Handicappers Graeme Smith and Mark Bird with four dark horses to keep an eye on

Via De Vega (Oisin Murphy, near side) makes a winning debut at Sandown
Via De Vega (Oisin Murphy, near side) makes a winning debut at SandownCredit: Mark Cranham

Graeme Smith, lead two-year-old handicapper for the BHA, and Mark Bird, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board handicapper, each offered two dark horses who did not make the cut in the main classification and are still relatively under the radar

Via De Vega
3yo ch c Lope De Vega – Via Milano (Andrew Balding)

Via De Vega created a huge impression on debut at Sandown in September and at the time there was no doubt he was going to be my lead horse in this section. He had no business winning the way he did from the position he was in two furlongs out, six lengths off above average rivals, and it was a huge performance.

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