Sandown

1.50pm

Morning Vicar

I was pretty impressed with him at Newbury in what I thought was a fair race. His jumping late on won him the prize, and he is a horse I have always liked and hopefully he can kick on over fences now. He has gone up 6lb for that win but he can still sneak into this 0-135 and going back right-handed around here could suit him as well, too. I wouldn’t want too much more rain for him, though.

2.25pm

Star Gate

It’s another of these tight, small-field novices’ hurdles where you can make a case for all of the five runners. It’s a very good race. I obviously haven’t sat on Star Gate before but he looked a very smart prospect to my eye when winning easily in the soft at Chepstow in October, and the form has been given a few boosts too, with the third coming out and taking an Ascot handicap next time. He has a lot of potential and he could be the one to beat in here.

3.35pm

Vegas Blue

We were obviously expecting a bit better from her when she third at Kempton last time, and we think she is better than that. Hopefully, we are right and a mark of 125 underplays her talents here. Some ease in the ground should be fine for her, too, I think.