Sirop Worth One More Chance At Sandown

Little ran well for a long way at Southwell earlier this week but her finishing effort was rather tame and she ended up fading out of it in the last 100 yards. After seeing the money come for her in the afternoon I was filled with optimism, but even though she didn't justify support I still think she has a bad race in her and no doubt she will pop up at a huge price the day I decide not to back her.

Tomorrow is Imperial Cup day at Sandown and Sirop De Menthe is of interest in what looks a typically competitive renewal. Fifteen runners are due to go to post and cases can be made for many, however Sirop De Menthe's effort here behind the re-opposing Rayvin Black back at the turn of the year on his penultimate run remains fresh in the memory and while he was only getting 8lbs of that rival that day when he was beaten 5L, tomorrow he gets a massive 19lbs from that horse tomorrow.

He was taken on for the lead by the Skelton horse when stepped up to 19.5f for his last run at Newbury and they went a ferocious gallop early doors. He ended up fading into fourth, beaten over 30L, but he was still bang there jumping the second last and it wasn't as bad a run as his finishing position suggests.

The handicapper has generously dropped him 2lb on the back of that effort to a mark of 130 and I believe he is definitely capable of being competitive once Lucy Gardner can get him settled. With Rayvin Black in the field a fast pace is assured, and hopefully a fast run 2m on soft ground will help Sirop to conserve more energy early on. With a huge swing in the weights he should be able to reverse the form of that January run with Rayvin Black, and once the ground doesn't dry out too much I think he could run a huge race at odds of 16/1.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.10 SANDOWN-SIROP DE MENTHE 16/1 E/W