Sandown stages day one of their Tingle Creek Festival on Friday afternoon with graded action for the novice hurdlers at the Esher track.
Their six-race card runs from 12.45pm-3.35pm with the feature Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle due off at 2.25pm.
Watch all the action from Sandown, as well as every race from the UK and Ireland via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipster has selections for the Friday races at Sandown.
12.45 – Sandown Park Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m)
Le Boizelo won this last year with Boughtbeforelunch his nearest pursuer, the pair having stretched right away from remainder of the field. The former was poor on seasonal return recently and it might be that Paul Webber’s charge is well placed to turn the tables having run well at Cheltenham and Leicester. He’ll have claims if the first-time blinkers have a positive effect.
Both My Way and Diable De Sivola shaped well for a long way on their respective comebacks at Wincanton and Fontwell and they need close considering down in trip but maybe this will go to CALL ME VIC.
He was running a big race at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) in October on debut for this yard before suffering trouble in running and finishing fourth (Boughtbeforelunch second). The teenager could go very close if building on that effort.
Selection: Call Me Vic
1.15 – Londesborough Handicap Chase (2m)
Early Du Lemo was successful over fences for the first time at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) when last out and retains potential for better but an absence of 689 days is rather off-putting today. DANDOLO DU GITE on the other hand enjoyed a spin at Wetherby five weeks ago to blow off the cobwebs of his own absence. He was a bit too keen to get on with things that day and paid for it late on. He had made a winning start over fences himself at Southwell in May 2019 and, with Richard Johnson up here, may do much better.
Selection: Dandolo Du Gite
1.50 – My Oddsboost On Betfair Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m4f)
Morning Vicar had BEFORE MIDNIGHT behind in third when scoring at Newbury (2m4f, good) last month. Nico de Boinville made every yard on that occasion and his mount came home more or less as he pleased despite only having a length and a quarter in hand. Given how that race played out, he’s uncertain to be allowed an easy time here and, with a 6lb pull at the weights, Sam Thomas’ challenger may get the rewards he deserves after three rock-solid efforts since leaving Nicky Henderson to join this stable.
Selection: Before Midnight @ 8/1
2.25 – Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m4f)
Star Gate will be popular here for Evan Williams given the strong-travelling display he put up on hurdles bow at Chepstow in October. That was done in a good time and he sets a fair standard, though the odds are short enough with dangers lurking amongst four rivals.
Sending Love and Any News have more to come but so too does VALLERES for Alan King and Daryl Jacob in the two-tone green silks of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Suede. He looked a useful prospect in his Wetherby win back in mid-October and did little wrong when second since to a progressive Paul Nicholls runner in Threeunderthrufive at Ludlow over 2m5f. He’s got scope for better.
Selection: Valleres @ 9/2
3.00 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2m7½f)
Kilconny Bridge had a fair bit in hand on her reappearance at Chepstow last month on heavy ground and should go close again despite a rise in the ratings but there’s substance to this race and it won’t be a simple task. Portrush Ted needs to bounce back from a fall but may do so, though preference is for STORM ARISING.
He rallied nicely to win at Lingfield on his comeback, with the re-opposing Potters Hedger in second spot. He’s only 3lb higher here and both the third and fourth home in that contest have won since. There could be further scope in Harry Cobden’s mount.
Selection: Storm Arising @ 6/1
3.35 – Listen To Weighed-In Podcast On Betfair Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
Emmpressive Lady lived up to her name in her novice success at Exeter three weeks ago and rates a key player again but top-weight WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI might have the class for this assignment. She progressed nicely last season, twice winning in four starts over timber and shaping well at the Cheltenham Festival. She may have needed the run in a good Listed contest at Wetherby on her comeback five weeks ago and rates as one to defy a mark of 130 before long.
Selection: Whitehotchillifili @ 6/1
*All odds correct at time of writing