Smaller trainers to triumph today?

Plenty of action today but the 3 all-weather meetings stage mainly low-level handicaps, so we shall concentrate on the N.H. meetings at Sandown and Warwick - though these are also not exactly high class. Some of the top stables - e.g. Nicholls, Henderson, Hobbs - have suffered various setbacks this week, so we shall take a chance and leave out their short-priced runners and hope to find some winners from smaller und less fashionable trainers. Evan Williams has his string in good form and has two good chances at Sandown, both partnered by Paul Moloney: Wester Ross in the handicap chase at 15.25 CET - where Lord Singer (Gary and Joshua Moore) looks the main danger - and Lancetto - out of an Acatenango mare- in the novice chase at 16.35, with Falcon Island (Colin and Joe Tizzard) the chief threat despite the presence of Henderson and Nicholls runners. Numide (Rod Millman/ Leighton Aspell) has been very expensive to follow this season, but now that he has been dropped in grade, w e shall give him another chance in the handicap hurdle at 17.10, while last-time-out winners Moleskin (Vic Dartnall/ Andrew Glassonbury), Dont Tell Sailor (Jennie Candlish/ Alan O´Keeffe) and Inga Bird (Henry Daly/ Jake Greenall) are our 3 against the field in the handicap chase half an hour later.

Jennie Candlish might even land an across-the-card double, as Tarn Hows (Sean Quinlan) must have a chance in the novice hurdle at 16.10 at Warwick. We also like Aviso (David Evans/ Nthan Adams) in the "hands and heels" handicap hurdle at 15.05. This one-time German classic winner has been kept busy on the all-weather this winter, but also won over hurdles at Ludlow 6 weeks ago. That was a poor race, but so is this, and we feel that has has been underestimated by the handicapper. Jeremy Scott and Nick Schofield had a double at Huntingdon yesterday and can score again with Clash Duff in the stayers handicap chase at 16.45.