Tingle Creek at Sandown

The Tingle Creek Chase over 2 miles at 15.25 CET at Sandown is easily the best race of the day and although the field has cut up to only 5 runners, it is still a high-class event. Two of the runners are German-bred and both should be involved in the finish - Well Chief (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy), who was famously third here in 2004 to Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiotop in the best ever renewal of this event (named after one of the best 2 mile chasers of all time), while Twist Magic (Ruby Walsh), whose trainer Paul Nicholls has an excellent record here, is a previous winner, taking this in 2007. The two Irish runners look very dangerous - Big Zeb (Colm Murphy/ Barry Geraghty) is the likely favourite after his easy win last time and his narrow defeat at Punchestown by Master Minded (last year´s winner but missing now because of injury), while Forpadytheplasterer (Tom Cooper/ Tony McCoy) was a good winner at the Cheltenham festival. Even the outsider of the field, Mahogany Blaze (Nig el Twiston-Davies), although held by Well Chief on latest running, is not out of it, as he is possibly the only runner who will enjoy the heavy ground. We would love to see Well Chief win, but his health problems are well known, while Big Zeb would probably win easily if he puts in a clear round, but he is a dodgy jumper at times. This is a race to savour rather to bet on. The field for the Grade Two Henry VIII chase, also over 2 miles at 14.55, is even smaller, but all four runners are last-time-out winners and this is another strong race. Crack Away Jack (Emma Lavelle/ Noel Fehily) was the best of these over hurdles (finishing 4th in the Champion Hurdle) and we expect him to prove the best over fences as well. Two long shots we think might run well in the hot handicap hurdles on the undercard are Silverburn (Evan Williams/ Rhys Flint) at 13.55 and Gaspara (Pipe/ Danny Cook) at 16.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Alderluck - Nycteos - Ballyfitz
2. Race: Sonowyouno - Master Of The Hall - Henry Hook
3. Race: Crack Away Jack - Somersby - Tchico Polos
4. Race: Big Zeb - Twist Magic - Well Chief
5. Race: Overstrand - Tasheba - William Hogarth
6. Race: Russian Trigger - Kilbeggan Blade - Lorum Leader