Snaith to prove he has the variety

Racing fans are in for a proper Public Holiday treat when Race Coast stages its Easter Monday card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth where an eight-race programme is anchored by a Listed contest for fillies and mares and the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile.

Both features could well reward punters who side with recent runner-up finishers, a profile that often proves fertile betting ground, with Stormwatch and Legal Counsel looking particularly well placed to go one better.

The Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Race 6) over 1400m brings the progressive Stormwatch firmly into the spotlight. The maturing Vercingetorix filly filled the runners-up berth behind Princess Of Gaul in the Grade 3 Prix du Cap on Cape Derby Day five weeks ago over the same course and distance she encounters in this.

Trained by Eric Sands, Stormwatch lost little in defeat that afternoon. She moved up smartly to strike the front 400m from home before being collared late under Gavin Lerena. Lerena, however, is still medically indisposed after his fall when his mount broke down last week.

No replacement had been announced at the time of writing.

Importantly from a betting perspective, Stormwatch had familiar rivals Roccapina and Scarlet Macaw behind her in third and fourth respectively that day. Both reoppose with a 1kg pull at the weights, but the visual impression and form line suggest Sands' filly should confirm her superiority.

The afternoon’s headline act, the Variety Club Mile (Race 7), could revolve around the classy Legal Counsel, who produced a career-best effort when finishing second in the Cape Town Met over 2000m at the end of January.

The consistent gelding, trained by champion conditioner Justin Snaith, outran market expectations that afternoon when chasing home stable companion See It Again in elite company.

Dropping back to 1600m after that performance looks an astute move and, returning from a nine-week freshen-up, Legal Counsel finds considerably calmer waters in this Grade 3 assignment.

With Aldo Domeyer, who partnered him in the Met, back in the saddle, the four-year-old son of Legislate rates the horse they all have to beat.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 1 The Cullinan, 2 One Spirit, 5 Vercicat, 4 Rubee King

Race 2: 5 Symphony In White, 4 Babelicious, 2 Shesgotclass, 1 Pink Pigeon

Race 3: 2 Who Is She, 7 Autumn Rush, 8 Nicci's Law, 6 See The Sign

Race 4: 6 Time For Love, 7 La Pulga, 4 Dubbelosix, 2 Katsu

Race 5: 6 Eric Liddell, 3 Scottish Links, 4 Chance Encounter, 5 Bonelli

Race 6: 6 Stormwatch, 5 Roccapina, 4 Queen Regent, 1 Scarlet Macaw

Race 7: 3 Legal Counsel, 1 Viva's Liberte, 4 Jet Force, 8 Gallic Dream

Race 8: 3 Objet D' Art, 1 Rattlesnake, 2 Street Outlaw, 4 Lady Look Alike

BEST BET

Race 4: 6 Time For Love

VALUE BET

Race 8: 3 Objet D' Art

BEST SWINGER

Race 2 4x5

BIPOT

R144

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 5

Leg 2: 4, 5

Leg 3: 2, 7, 8

Leg 4: 6

Leg 5: 3, 4, 6

Leg 6: 5, 6

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 4, 5

Leg 2: 2, 7, 8

Leg 3: 6

Leg 4: 3, 4, 6

Leg 5: 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 3

Leg 7: 1, 2, 3

PICK 6

R900

Leg 1: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10

JACKPOT 1

R36

Leg 2: 6

Leg 3: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6

Leg 5: 1, 3, 4

JACKPOT 2

R180

Leg 1: 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10