At Hove, SAINT MAGA (Trap 1) looks set to justify strong market confidence by winning the Maiden Stayers Final at 20:07. Patrick Browne’s local star was the fastest of three heat winners, showcasing his strong running ability over the 695m trip. A son of marathon star Riverside Honey, his stamina is a key asset. Despite usually running from behind, his powerful performance last week, where he made up ten lengths, marks him as a promising staying prospect. Given a clear run, he should be tough to beat.
In contrast, FIRE AND ICE (Trap 3) is expected to use his exceptional early speed to dominate a heat of the 500 Standard at 19:16. Matt Dartnall’s young pup faces a challenging task after winning his first two races, but his early speed, combined with added weight from his last outing, should aid his stamina. Kilara Show (Trap 2) is the biggest threat if able to follow closely behind.
JOES SAGAR (Trap 3) can make up for a narrow miss last week by winning the Sussex Cup Trial Stakes at 19:33. Belinda Green’s recent Coronation Cup finalist showed great pace despite a slow start and overcoming crowding at the third bend. The presence of reigning Sussex Cup champion Candolim Monsoon (Trap 1) should help the market, but with no races since October, this could be the perfect time to take on Derek Knight’s runner.
BEST BETS
19:16 HOVE - FIRE AND ICE (Trap 3)
19:33 HOVE - JOES SAGAR (Trap 3)
20:07 HOVE - SAINT MAGA (Trap 1)