It’s a midweek treat from Sandown Park this afternoon as the Esher track hosts a Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on their card.
The race features exciting rising star Love Envoi for Harry Fry and goes to post at 2:20pm.
Conditions at Sandown are forecast to be ‘Soft-heavy in places’ for a seven-race card that runs from 1:10pm-4:40pm, and our tipster has a race-by-race look at the action.
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1.10 – Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Last-time-out scorers, THE GREY FALCO and Global Agreement are both well placed for another crack at success, with 10lb claimers aiding their causes here. Preference is for Alistair Ralph’s inmate, who was seemingly improved for a wind op when scoring last month at Haydock. He had enough to spare that afternoon to believe he could go in again, and his rider’s claim effectively leaves him 8lb lower here.
Selection: The Grey Falco @ 15/8
1.45 – ‘Ubique’ Handicap Chase (1m7½f)
Class-dropping Torpillo could have a chance, but he’s under a big weight for the Twiston-Davies’. Recent Musselburgh scorer Douglas Talking has a 7lb penalty to contend with in a stronger race, though and is open to plenty of progress. Still, the vote is given to the consistent DESQUE DE L’ISLE for in-form Venetia Williams. He’s been running sound races since his Ffos Las win earlier in the season, and his mark is creeping down again.
Selection: Desque De L’isle @ 3/1
2.20 – Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m4f)
The manner in which LOVE ENVOI won at Lingfield’s Winter Millions Festival last month was impressive. The Harry Fry-trained mare made it 4-4 under rules despite questions against her in dropping back to two miles. She did that on heavy ground, repelling the well-touted (and previously unbeaten) Nurse Susan. Back up in trip and now rising in class, she is the one the others are aiming at.
Selection: Love Envoi @ 10/11
2.55 – Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup (Chase For Military Amateur Jockeys, 3m)
Just the four runners, and none are dismissed. Ballycross should be sharper for a recent comeback, while Rolling Dylan needs to rebound after a poor show in the Veterans’ Final here last time. This is easier, but last month’s Ludlow winner HOGAN’S DELIGHT has the least to prove today. He’d faced a couple of devilish Aintree assignments prior to that Hunter Chase win and can score again at this reduced level.
Selection: Hogan’s Delight @ 11/10
3.30 – Virgin Bet ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m)
Monviel had Learntalot behind in fourth when scoring at Wincanton four weeks ago but has a 7lb penalty to contend with now, while the winner looked green in that race and should have…learned a lot from the experience. Preference is for OPERATION MANNA on hurdles bow for trainer Tom Lacey. He won a bumper in August at Worcester despite getting outpaced earlier in the home straight, surging home late to score. That form was held up by the second, and the stiff finish here should suit him.
Selection: Operation Manna @ 4/1
4.05 – Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (For The Alan Brooke Challenge Cup, 3m)
Poppa Poutine went close at Wincanton last month and has sound claims again for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, but DR KANANGA won in a canter at Chepstow (3m2f, soft) earlier this month and, despite a hike from the assessor, he might well be able to dominate again in a field that has been reduced by two late non-runners.
Selection: Dr Kananga @ 9/4
4.40 – Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
The horse that finished second to CONTEMPLATEMYFAITH in a Bangor maiden last month, Donald McCain’s Barrowdale, has since come and won a Uttoxeter maiden by nearly 40-lengths. The pair were nicely clear in that Bangor race, too, and an opening mark of 116 looks exploitable here for Olly Murphy’s charge as such.
Selection: Contemplatemyfaith @ 7/4
*All odds correct at time of writing