Horses for courses or trainers for tracks? Watch Stoute and Menuisier at Sandown

Tawaareq
1.50 Sandown, Friday
1pt each-way at 14-1, three places with Sky Bet

Belloccio
3.35 Sandown, Friday
1pt each-way at 12-1, three places with Paddy Power

Sandown's bet365 Jump Finale meeting is one of my favourites of the year but I must confess to being somewhat disappointed by this year's card, for betting purposes at least.

I was drawn to Plan Of Attack in the bet365 Gold Cup. He looked to be travelling ominously well before coming down three out in the Kim Muir and, unlike a lot of the entries for the race, it isn’t difficult to envisage there being mileage in his mark.

However, his recent form figures read PP8F and he’s as short at 5-1. Even considering the recent success rate of Irish-trained runners in
British handicaps, that does not represent great value.

Plan Of Attack: looks to hold a good chance in the bet365 Gold Cup but is already very shortCredit: Patrick McCann

Barring the Celebration Chase, the rest of the card is also tough to fathom. Frodon should be tough to beat in the Oaksey Chase, Put The Kettle On will hopefully have her belated match with Altior in the Celebration and God only knows what to expect from Goshen in the Select Hurdle.

Therefore my attention has been diverted to the Flat card on Friday and firstly the Esher Cup (1.50).

Ilza'Eem and Rifleman head the betting but I'm not convinced either have been given overly generous marks and they don't interest me at the prices.

You can always rely on Mark Johnston in races of this nature and his Naamoos took a big step forward when winning at Musselburgh last time. He should be on the premises yet again but could be vulnerable to an improver off a 7lb higher mark.

It is possible North Of Amazing can improve this season, but of more interest is Shadwell's sole entry Tawaareq.

Sir Michael Stoute has won this race twice and the son of Shamardal ran a race full of promise over 7f at the track on debut, finishing a seven-and-a-half-length fifth to current 2,000 Guineas favourite One Ruler. He was a 50-1 shot too, so it wasn't as if connections had him ready to roll.

The winner went on to win a Group 3 while the second (now rated 92), third (95), fourth (90) and sixth all won afterwards. Tawaareq did his own bit for the form when breaking his maiden stylishly at Doncaster next time.

Tawaareq: could be well treated in the Esher CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

The second, Cordouan, and third, Crossford, have both won since and you can discount Tawaareq's final run of the season as he looked to lose the race beforehand by sweating up badly and also may have struggled on the soft ground.

The quality of his form suggests he could be well handicapped off just 82 and after winning at Doncaster, rider Jim Crowley commented "he has plenty of ability – it will all be about next year for him" and "he just needs to settle down".

If the gelding operation and a winter's break has done the trick then expect a much-improved performance as he tackles 1m2f for the first time. His dam won her only start at the distance so it shouldn't be a cause for concern.

Bear in mind Stoute has saddled seven winners from 22 runners in the last fortnight for a 32 per cent strike-rate and tends to target this meeting.

He has won the Gordon Richards Stakes ten times, the bet365 Mile twice and the Classic Trial four times.

He is represented by improving colt Inigo Jones in the latter (3.35), but I am more drawn to another horse whose trainer does well at the track.

David Menuisier has trained 13 winners from 43 runners for a 30 per cent strike-rate at Sandown, boasting a £34.15 profit from a £1 level-stake, so his Belloccio should not be dismissed on seasonal reappearance.

Menuisier is not known for saddling two-year-old winners yet the son of Belardo made a taking impression when swooping down the outside to win over a mile at Salisbury in October.

The second, Aleas, and third, Mohaafeth, have both won twice since, so the form looks strong.

David Menuisier: has a promising horse on his hands in BelloccioCredit: Edward Whitaker

Belloccio won a Toulouse Listed race with the minimum of fuss on his next start. Only two horses from that race have run again since with the second, Cirona, duly taking the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte in a blanket finish on Sunday.

He looks a real stayer and given his dam raced over 1m7f in France – his half-brother was also second in a maiden hurdle over 2m1f – the step up to 1m2f promises to suit.

Menuisier has saddled two winners in the last fortnight and, writing this on Monday, I fully expect him to add another to that tally with Soto Sizzler in the Great Metropolitan on Tuesday, while he also has a good chance in the City And Suburban on the same card with Blue Cup.

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