Joe Norris from GYTO picks a horse at Sandown Park races for his Thursday stat bet.
19:45 Sandown
I have been waiting for SMART HERO to go handicapping as he has shown more than enough promise in 3 starts to date to think an opening mark of 79 could prove lenient. He was sent off 11/1 on debut and ran a race full of promise missing just a neck. He was far too keen up to a mile at Southwell and failed to make an impact. Back down to this trip at Kempton he ran much better and having undergone wind surgery since should be spot on for this now.
Trainer James Tate has done well with handicap debutants this season with a near 18% strike rate but the really eye-catching stat is that nearly half of the 17 runners have at least placed. I know we’re only getting 2 places here but even so at slight odds-on that is a great bet which is backed up by the stats.
