Kick-off of the Tingle Creek Festival

Sandown, Friday 2 December: The Tingle Creek Festival at Sandown Park begins today with a six-race programme. The best race of the day is the Winter Novices Hurdle (4th race/15.20pm/60,000 pounds/3980m), with six in-form contenders vying for Group 2 honours.

Henri The Second (Kielan Woods) announced himself emphatically when second in a Maiden Hurdle in October. He is seen as the winner on the betting market, but Man At Work (Tom Scudamore) is also in contention for the front, who enjoyed an easy success at Aintree on November 5, beating Henry`s Friend (Harry Cobden) by over six lengths to finish third. Maximilian (Brian Hughes) has yet to lose a race both on the flat course and over today`s jumps. It remains to be seen how he does against today`s opponents. I`d Like To Know (Tom Cannon) and Park This One (Gavin Sheehan) are also fresh winners but will have to improve considerably.