N.H. racing at Sandown and Fairyhouse (Ireland)

Sandown stages a good card today, and although the fields are not huge, it is quite possible that some Cheltenham contenders will be on show. This applies particularly to the 4yo hurdle which opens the card at 15.05 CET. 4 of the 8 runners are previous winners, including Torpichen (David Pipe/ Tony McCoy) and James de Vassy (Nick Williams/ Darryl Jacob), both impressive winners of their only start, while French raider True Blue Saga (Francois Doumen/ Tom Scudamore) was a good second to the smart Starluck on his previous trip to England and could also be Cheltenham-bound. The novice hurdle at 16.45 also looks interesting. Pipe´s Ronaldo des Mottes (Timmy Murphy) has been in the first two on his last 5 starts, but Alan King´s pair Awesome George (Charlie Huxley) and German-bred Sadler´s Star (Wayne Hutchinson) could be dangerous, especially the latter, whoi showed much improved form last time out. Te main event is theoretically the Royal Artillery Gold Cup for members of the ar med forces, ad once the favourite race of the late QQueen Mother, but this is now a shadow of its previous self and Bannister Lane (Donald McCain/ Capt. Edwards) should not be troubled to defeat hat-trick-seeking Mr. Big (Charlie Mann/ Capt. wallace) if the ratings are to be trusted. A very interesting German-bred also runs in the rescheduled Irish meeting at Fairyhouse, Arrak (Kieran Cotter/ Andrew Lynch) in the maiden hurdle at 14.40. This one time big hope for Scjlenderhan and Fabre has been off the track for 17 months, but if anywhere near fit must go close here. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh continue in great form, two more winners yesterday, and can score with Uiumhiraceathair at 15.10, and Ruby can go on to complete a double with Oscar Time for Martin Lynch in the novice chase at 16.50. He has been placed on his last 6 starts and receives 6lbs from the previous winners in the large field.