Sandown today

As always, too much racing on Saturday and we shall concentrate on the two main meetings, starting with Sandown, where the main event is the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase over 2 miles at 16.00 CET. This race was earmarked for Nicky Henderson´s champion Sprinter Sacre, who would certainly have won it easily, but now he has been taken out it looks much more open, though Henderson has a capable sub in Captain Conan (Barry Geraghty), a top novice last season and clearly good enough for this, especially as he is 3/3 at this track. Our only reservation is that he has been off since April and some of the stable´s runners have been needing their first race. The two he had to wory about are Sire de Grugy (Gary and Jamie Moore), who is probably better of much softer going than he will find today, and Somersby (Mick Channon/Dominic Elsworth), who beat Cue Card last time at Exeter. While he should not be overrated on tjhat form, as he very well treated at the weights, Somersby showed that he is coming back to his best and we make him our selection.

The main supporting feature is the Grade One Henry VIII Novice Chase over the same trip at 14.50, won last year by Captain Conan. Jumping is the name of the game, and some of these runners have not been convincing so far in this sphere. Hinterland (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Grandouet (Henderson/ Geraghty) were disputing the lead last time over this CD when they both made bad mistakes at the last - Hinterland went on to win, but Geraghty hit the deck. The latter was however easily the best of these over hurdles and we shall give him another chance. For those who want to be on the safe side, Taquin de Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) is the alternative, as he has won both of his races over fences, albeit at a much lower level.

The handicaps here are very difficult, though O`Neill and McCoy have a chance in the 2 3/4 miles hurdle at 14.20 with lightly-raced Upswing, and we also like consistent Top Totti (Henry Daly/ Geraghty) at 13.50, while the two German-breds at 15.25 could also go well- Seventh Sky (Charlie Mann/ Micky Grant) - a half-brother to Samum, and Milord (Kim Bailey/ Sam Thomas), a Monsun gelding who caught our eye last time and will be well suited by a fast-run race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Champagne At Tara - Vibrato Valtat - Money For Nothing
2. Race: Tigresse Bleue - Mrs Peachey - Top Totti
3. Race: Utopie Des Bordes - Whisper - Drum Valley
4. Race: Grandouet - Taquin Du Seuil - Hinterland
5. Race: Ronaldo des Mottes - Waterunder - Specialagent Alfie
6. Race: Captain Conan - Sire De Grugy - Somersby
7. Race: Bradley - Alfie Spinner - Godsmejudge