A couple of really decent cards at Sandown on Friday and Saturday. The highlight is the Grade 1 Tingle Creek, the most prestigious 2m race apart from the Champion Chase at the Festival. The roll of honour features such star names as Desert Orchid, Waterloo Boy, Viking Flagship, Flagship Uberalles and Moscow Flyer. The last six renewals have all been won by Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls, with two victories each for Kauto Star, Twist Magic and Master Minded. This year's renewal looks very good indeed with the 2m Champion Sizing Europe heading the field.
Tingle Creek
Sizing Europe (7/4) - The obvious place to start. The reigning Champion Chaser after following up his Arkle win in the 2m Championship last season. A top class performer who really seems to come alive at Cheltenham in the spring. Has a preference for good ground but does handle softer. He should win if he's on form but a recent hard race over 3m at Down Royal is a concern.
Tataniano (7/2) - The first of the Nicholls duo and the choice of Ruby Walsh. Has always promised to be high class, especially when running away with the Maghull Novice's Chase at Aintree back in 2010. Below par last season but back with a bang at Chepstow in October. Looked back to his best there and dangerous if he can put in another performance of that quality.
Wishfull Thinking (4/1) - A challenger for the most interesting runner as he drops back to 2m for the first time in his career. Top form over 2m4f as a Novice last season after finishing 2nd at the Festival, and winning at Aintree and Punchestown. Has always showed pace and connections feel confident that he can put in a bold show.
Kauto Stone (7/1) - A half brother to the mighty Kauto Star, who won this twice in 05 and 06. Looked very good indeed on his first start for Paul Nicholls at Down Royal over 2m4f and interesting that he is dropped to the minimum here. Didn't look short of pace that day but appears the stable second-string with Ruby riding Tataniano. Still only 5 and a very exciting horse for the future.
Gauvain (14/1) - An easy winner of the Shloer Chase at the Open Meeting in November and if he can reproduce that form he is entitled to go well. But he failed to go on from a similar performance in that very race 12 months ago and suspicion that a few of these will be too good for him.
I'msingingtheblues (25/1) - Winner of a decent Ascot Handicap last time off a mark of 145 but much more needed to figure in this.
Cornas (25/1) - Started the season well when 2nd in the Haldon Gold Cup but the winner that day has since been put in his place by Master Minded and Somersby. Suspect he might receive the same treatment here.
Dan Breen (50/1) - Well beaten in the Arkle and at Aintree and only 7th in the Handicap won by his stablemate I'msingingtheblues at Ascot first time up this season. Much more on his plate in this.
Fix The Rib (66/1) - A 94 length 9th of 11 behind I'msingingtheblues at Ascot and hard to see him finishing much closer in a contest of this quality.
Conclusion - A very good renewal and the top 4 all add something to the race. Tataniano, Wishfull Thinking and Kauto Stone all represent 'potential' with Sizing Europe bringing the top level form to the table. Nicholls has dominated this race in recent times and his two runners are granted the utmost respect. Sizing Europe should win if he runs to his best but a hard race at Down Royal last time is a concern. Therefore, a little on Wishfull Thinking might be the bet. I find it hard to see him out of the frame so an EW wager, if he drifts in the market, should see your money back at the very least. Top form last season and not a great deal to find with the principals on figures. Has always shaped like a step back in trip would suit and it will be interesting to see how he fares.
Supporting Card
The Henry VIII Novice's Chase is a Grade 1 event over 2m. Al Ferof, second favourite for the Arkle and winner of the Supreme Novices last season, heads the line-up. He will be a warm order for victory here and looks hard to oppose, even if the the well touted Sprinter Sacre does take his chance. However, I understand that Henderson's charge will bypass this engagement, being still a little short of peak fitness.
The Winter Novices' Hurdle on the Friday look like the best novice hurdle yet run this season. The unbeaten Fingal Bay puts his record on the line after Grade 2 successes at Chepstow and Cheltenham. The Cheltenham 2nd, Barbato, reopposes but it is hard to see why the form can be reversed. The Strawberry One has been showing good form at a lower level but this is a big step up in grade. Coral Point looks well and truly outclassed. Sizing Symphony has won three on the bounce and is respected. Jump City found just Smad Place too good in one start last season but readily broke his duck at the first time of asking this season. He is thrown in at the deep end and appears well regarded. Simonsig, for Nicky Henderson, is perhaps the most interesting runner. Extremely well touted after two facile Pointing successes in Ireland and then a terrific win in the Champion Point-to-Point Bumper. Ran all over his field first time over hurdles at Kempton a couple of weeks ago and he looks most exciting. To my eye Fingal Bay looks a stayer in the making and Simonsig looks the one with a touch more pace. 2m4f on good ground would appear to be more in Simonsig's favour and he is preferred. Hard to oppose either because both look very exciting prospects for the seasons ahead.
The Future Stars Chase looks another high quality contest. Bostons Angel, winner of the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, heads the field. He was unseated when looking beaten in the JN Wine Champion Chase at Down Royal but this looks easier. I think the RSA was a weak race last year and that viewpoint is supported by the fact that only one winner has emerged from the race since (Quel Esprit at 8/13). Quinz has disappointed twice since winning the Racing Post Chase. His effort in the Grand National can be forgiven because he bled but he was never at the races when beaten very early at Ascot last time. He has questions to answer but this small field might be just what he needs to get back on track. Royal Charm was a distant 3rd at Aintree behind Wishfull Thinking and is now stepped up to 3m for the first time. Prefers soft ground and conditions are unlikely to suit on this occasion. Golan Way was 3rd in the 3m race at Aintree but has since refused to race and finished a 30l 8th. Needs to bounce back to form to take this. Benbane Head has been beaten off marks of 138 and 137 in his last two starts and needs more here. It is hard to fancy any of these but it looks a good opportunity for Bostons Angel to open his account for the season. Not a betting race for me with too many questions marks around the runners.
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