N.H. racing at Sandown, Punchestown (Ireland) and Wincanton

Plenty more N.H. action today, after Sandown and Punchestown passed early morning inspections. Main event at Sandown is the Grade One novice hurdle at 15.40 with only 5 runners. Minella Class (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and Toubab (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) stand out here, although Megastar (Gary and Jamie Moore) is also pretty smart. Some very tricky handicaps on the card, and our very tentative suggestions are Far More Serious (Charlie Longsdon/ Tom Scudamore) in the 3 mile chase at 15.05, I´msingingtheblues (David Pipe/ Danny Cook) in the 2 mile chase at 16.15 and bottom weight Zazamix (Hnderson/ David Bass) in the 2 mile hurdle half an hour later. Mille Chief (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) is the class act in the last-named race, but has a huge weight and we are not at all sure that he can concede more than two stones to Zazamix.

Henderson and Nicholls have runners all over today, and they can fight out the finish of the novice chase at 15.25 at Wincanton with Lord Ragnar (Andrew Tinkler) and The Minack (Nick Scholfield) respectively, while Emma Lavelle´s Bougger also has a chance.

Main feature at Punchestown is another 4yo hurdle at 13.45. The form choice here is Fearless Falcon (Adrian McGuiness/ Keith Donoghue), runner-up in a Grade Two last time, but we prefer Mister Carter (Tommy Stack/ Willie Lee), who made a winning debut 11 days ago despite some sloppy jumping, with 3 of these behind. Stack is best known now as a flat trainer but it should not be forgotten that he was a top N.H. jockey, winning the Grand National on Red Rum for example. Willie Mullins continues in excellent form and has several winning chances here, notably Flat Out (nephew Emmet in the saddle) at 12.45, Shifa at 14.20 (son Paddy) and Blackstairmountain (Paul Townend) at 16.05. German-bred Samain (Paddy) could be another winner for the stable in the bumper at 16.35.