Day two of the Tingle Creek Festival sees a classic renewal of Grade 1 Tingle Creek, with Shishkin, for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, making his first appearance since pulling up in the Champion Chase at The Festival. Shishkin was diagnosed with a rare bone condition after the Champion Chase and if back to his best then he has beaten Greaneteen and Champion Chase winner Energumene previously. However, Greaneteen will not get a better opportunity at the course where he performs best, and he is just my preference ahead of Shishkin in a fascinating six-runner renewal of the Tingle Creek.
Earlier on the card Nicky Henderson can strike with Jonbon Unibet 3/10 on in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, as the only time he was beaten was by Constitution Hill and Jonbon looked very exciting on chasing debut. Whilst up at Aintree, Walking On Air Unibet 5/2 for Nicky Henderson, has looked very impressive and can win again in the Handicap Hurdle at 3.15.
The Becher Chase over the famous Aintree fences looks so competitive, with 23 of the original 25 entries being declared. In addition to Dr Kananga and The Wolf marked up below I’m having an each way wager on Rapid Flight Unibet 50/1 with Unibet paying six places.
Enjoy a fantastic Saturday of action from Sandown and Aintree whether on course or watching at home on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.30 Aintree – Many Clouds Chase Grade 2 (3m 1f)
Sam Brown has featured on a regular basis in my Unibet blog, and this classy type was marked up for his 28/1 emphatic success at Aintree, when winning by fifteen lengths, having finished second to Royal Pagaille at Haydock in the Peter Marsh Chase earlier in the season. Sam Brown still showed he was going in the right direction on seasonal debut in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby when running a really good race until after the second last, when the King George VI favourite Bravesmansgame made his challenge. Bravemansgame drew clear and Sam Brown just lost second on the run in to Eldorado Allen and was beaten four lengths behind Bravemansgame. This is a tight race on the official ratings and ten-year-old Sam Brown, having only his 11th chase start, has strong each way claims at minimum.
2.05 Aintree – Becher Handicap Chase (3m 2f)
Dr Kananga (nap) started last season on a mark of 112 and finished the season with a rating of 140 for the Ben Clarke team. His handicap successes at Chepstow and Sandown respectively in February, when victorious by 12 lengths on both occasions, really marked up this eight-year-old as an individual with plenty of potential.
He continued to show promise on hurdling debut at Bangor last month when jumping well before being headed two out by Maximilian, who looks a smart performer. That run will have put Dr Kananga spot on for his first appearance over the Aintree fences and if this bold-jumping front running type, who has never fallen, takes to the course, then he will run a big race.
The Wolf finished a good second on seasonal reappearance to Lord Accord at Cheltenham at their October meeting, when doing all his best work at the finish. when marked up in my Unibet blog. He had in the Scottish Grand National on his penultimate start been given plenty to do from way off the pace, after having finished runner-up at both Cheltenham and Musselburgh respectively. This eight-year-old has never fallen, most definitely stays and looks the type who could really take to Aintree, making a strong late challenge on.
2.20 Sandown – Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Homme Public has a great way of going about his business, as he travels so well and puts races to bed with a good turn of foot before staying on strongly. He did this on seasonal debut when beating the unexposed Too Friendly by nearly six lengths at Wetherby last month and you had to be taken by this performance. Homme Public is improving really quickly now and clearly hasn’t reached his ceiling yet, as he goes for a three-timer, with ground that should be ideal too.
2.55 Sandown – Tingle Creek Chase Grade 1 (2m)
Greaneteen can follow up on his 2021 success and make it four wins in a row at this Esher course where he is most effective, with ground conditions that will suit him perfectly. At Exeter, in the Haldon Gold Cup, he looked as good as ever when beating stablemate Dolos by seven lengths on good ground. This is his key race of the season and on this occasion he can take on the mighty Shishkin in a classic renewal of the Tingle Creek.
3.30 Sandown – Winners Wear Cavani Menswear London National Handicap Chase (3m 5f)
Eclair De Guye has a good record fresh in recent times and this suggests he might be ready for this race, despite not being seen since March. Third in this in 2021, when he led at the last but got his timing wrong with his jump when losing all momentum and he can do much better this year. Harry Cobden is an interesting replacement for the injured Bryony Frost and Eclair De Guye looks the each-way selection here.
