Horse racing betting tips: Selections for Friday at Sandown

Day one of Sandown’s two-day meeting begins with the opening flat fixture of the season before the jumps finale on Saturday.

The card features multiple Group races, with the Group 2 bet365 Mile taking centre stage, providing an early treat with a top-class field assembled.

Our expert, Jason Leahy, has a trio of selections on the card, including one in the feature race, one in the opener, and another in the Derby trial.

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Friday tips

• 13:20 Sandown – Old Is Gold

• 15:00 Sandown – Field Of Gold

• 15:35 Sandown – Wise Prince

13:20 Sandown – Old Is Gold

Wathnan’s son of Mehmas, Old Is Gold, began his career with a promising effort when finishing third on debut at Ascot behind Military Code of Godolphin, who has since been placed in two Listed races, while the runner-up Fitzella went on to win the Group 3 Margaret Stakes.

He then took a step forward with a comfortable win at Beverley before heading to Royal Ascot, where he was below expectations when finishing eighth as favourite in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

He bounced back at Goodwood, producing a solid effort and posting his best figures to date when third in a competitive nursery handicap. However, he ended his two-year-old season on a low, as he ducked right at the start and was always behind.

He now returns as a three-year-old and looks the pick of James Doyle, having since been gelded. Andrew Balding has his team in fine form and he should improve again this season, with a mark of 87 potentially proving lenient.

15:00 Sandown – Field Of Gold

This is a cracker of a race this early in the season, with four of the six runners already having won a Group 1. Zeus Olympios puts his unbeaten record on the line and has looked very exciting, but he may struggle to give Field Of Gold 3lbs.

Field Of Gold burst onto the scene as a three-year-old when winning the Craven Stakes at Newmarket before finishing second in the 2,000 Guineas. He arguably should have won that race, just taking a little longer than expected to hit top gear before staying on strongly at the finish.

He bounced back to winning ways in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh before producing a devastating performance in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The son of Kingman disappointed at Goodwood next time out when only fourth behind surprise winner Qirat, however he was found to be lame the following morning, so that effort can be excused.

John & Thady Gosden’s classy grey was well backed after a break in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day, but he failed to show his best.

He receives weight from his main market rivals and, if returning to his peak, he will take plenty of beating and would not be a surprise to land further Group 1 success this season.

15:35 Sandown – Wise Prince

A small but strong-looking field for this Classic trial over 1m2f, with Aidan O’Brien’s Action heading the market, but Wise Prince looks like the one to side with.

The son of Ghaiyyath has only made one start to date, but he went straight into the notebook that day at Nottingham. He was keen throughout before running green when taking it up two furlongs out, where he quickened clear of his rivals.

The third Eddari and fourth High Storm have both won since, so the form is working out well.

John & Thady Gosden are typically patient with their two-year-olds, so it was no surprise to see him put away for his three-year-old campaign.

He is related to the classy Main Aim of Juddmonte and there should be plenty more to come from him this season. The step up in trip looks ideal and he can win this before heading to Epsom for the big one in June.

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