SANDOWN

12:40 Novices’ Hurdle

Balkeo (Nico De Boinville)
He’s a big brute of a horse who came over France where he showed some smart form, albeit without winning. Everything he’s done at home has been good, and we like him a lot, but I do expect him to come on for the run and we’ll know a lot more about him after this.

2:20 G1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase

Mister Coffey (Nico de Boinville)
At the start of the season I thought he was one of our most exciting novice chasers, and he still could be, because he put up a much better effort at Kempton last time over two and a half and he’s schooled well again since. This is obviously a big step up, and Venetia’s horse has looked very good so far, but Mister Coffey is no slouch on his day and if he can get into a nice rythmm, hopefully he can run well.

2:55 Handicap Hurdle

Call Me Lord (James Bowen)
He didn’t like fences so we switched him back to hurdles and he ran extremely well in the Lanzarote Hurdle off a big weight at Kempton last time. We’re going back up in trip but I’m pretty sure he stays this far. In seven runs at Sandown he’s won three times and been placed on all of the others so we know he absolutely loves the track.

WETHERBY

4:10 Bumper

Rathmacknee (Nathan Brennan)
He’s owned by the Million in Mind Partnership who are a great bunch of people and hopefully this lad can go well for them. He’s a well-bred Point to Point winner from the family of The Listener and Fork Lightning who were both smart horses and this horse has shown plenty at home. Obviously you never know what you’re up against in bumpers but we like him and will know plenty more afterwards.