Sandown

12.40pm

Palladium

He is very well-related and showed ability on the Flat and he only just narrowly failed to get up for me on his hurdling debut at Warwick. He may have had a straightforward task over course and distance here last time but he did it very well in testing ground, and I definitely feel he is the type to improve as he gains experience and fills into his big frame. This is obviously a lot tougher and he does carry a 6lb penalty, but he gets the 4yo allowance and, as I said, I would expect him to keep progressing and this race has cut up a fair bit.

2.25pm

Laurina

She is obviously a great ride to pick up and it wouldn’t be my first for the stable, as I rode Rathvinden for Willie in France last summer. This looks a strong Scilly Isles with a fair bit of depth to it, but Laurina is obviously a high-class mare. Things clearly didn’t go to plan at Leopardstown last time but she bled there and this Cheltenham Festival winner had earlier looked very good when beating Minella Indo over 2m4f at Gowran Park. She has won around here over hurdles and I think stepping back up in trip is a positive for her, and the ground is clearly no issue. Hopefully, she will be a big factor getting the weight, with conditions to suit.