It’s a six-race card from 12.45pm-3.35pm on Friday, headlined by the Grade 2 Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle.
You can follow all the action, as well as every race from the UK and Ireland, via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has a race-by-race look ahead to Friday’s Sandown card.
12.45 – Sargent Fifty Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m)
Burrows Park ended last season on a downer but he’s had a wind op and returns to chasing on this comeback for a Venetia Williams team in fine fettle, so he’s one to monitor. He’s not the only one with questions to answer and ROLLING DYLAN looks about the strongest candidate. He was second at Aintree last month on his return from a long break and – given ample time to get over that return – Philip Hobbs’ charge is a solid prospect now.
Selection: Rolling Dylan @ SP
1.15 – Pinsent Masons Introductory Juvenile Hurdle (2m)
FOREVER BLESSED had plenty in hand when scoring on hurdles bow at Ffos Las five weeks ago on testing ground and Harry Fry’s charge should have more to come on this sounder surface. He’s preferred to Exeter scorer Romeo’s Bond, while Buxted Too is an interesting newcomer and needs a close look for Ian Williams.
Selection: Forever Blessed @ SP
1.50 – Betfair Daily Rewards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m4f)
The betting is likely to reflect that most of these have a chance to shine. BOTHWELL BRIDGE chased home Third Time Lucki in a bumper at Huntingdon on his introduction and was second to smart Boothill at Kempton next time in a strong contest. He won 2-4 over hurdles last season, running third behind Bravemansgame in between wins at Warwick and Hereford, while Nicky Henderson deemed him good enough for an Aintree Grade 1 novice in the spring. He’s back from a wind op now and is likely to have his best days as a chaser.
Selection: Bothwell Bridge @ 7/2
2.25 – Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m4f)
Paul Nicholls will be hoping Brave Kingdom can make the step up in grade a successful one after a routine win on hurdles bow at Chepstow and he’s got a favourites’ chance but FAIR FRONTIERES looks promising too for Kim Bailey. His near miss in a Navan maiden at this trip in January is solid form and, on first start for his new trainer, he routed seven rivals at Worcester (2m7f, soft) in October. He is capable of plenty better coming back down in trip and his stamina could be a key asset.
Selection: Fair Frontieres @ 7/2
3.00 – Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (1m7½f)
With the Venetia Williams string in strong form of late, it could prove worthwhile to side with last month’s Ffos Las scorer DESQUE DE L’ISLE to follow-up. That was a first start post wind surgery and the runner-up advertised the form when scoring soon after at Fakenham. The trainer has negated a 10lb rise by jocking-up Ned Fox and he’s already proving himself adept in his fledgling career as a rider.
Selection: Desque De L’Isle @ 9/4
3.35 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2m7½f)
Al Dancer catches the eye back over hurdles having failed to muster a major challenge in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month on first start for new trainer Sam Thomas. His stamina is a question-mark however. Stablemate William Henry is rising 12 but has a good record fresh, while Stoner’s Choice should give his running for trainer Fergal O’Brien. THE COB was Grade 2-winning novice over three-miles on soft ground last season at Doncaster and, while well held at Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett, time is on the side of Ben Pauling’s charge as he returns to handicaps and he’s another that can be relied on to go well after a layoff.
Selection: The Cob @ 12/1
*All odds correct at time of writing.