1.55pm Sandown

Lilly Pedlar

This trip may be on the short side for her on this ground, but obviously it is a stamina test over 2m here and I was very encouraged by her run last time at Newbury. She would have finished closer there but for a bad momentum-stopper 2 out, and I think the form is strong, with the fourth winning at Perth this week. Clearly, the handicapper has done her no favours at all in raising her 5lb for a 4 1/2-length defeat but hopefully she has more to give as a lightly-raced 6yo.

2.30pm Sandown

Mister Fisher

Outside of his excellent win under a penalty in the rescheduled Peterborough Chase at Cheltenham in December he has endured a pretty frustrating campaign for one reason and another, and a couple of consecutive errors did for him at Aintree last time. We all remain convinced there is a Grade 1 horse in there though, and trip and ground look ideal for him here, and we just have the three rivals, too. Granted, we could have done without the 6lb penalty for his Grade 2 win though, the same as which Frodon carries for winning the King George. Not sure that is right myself.

3.05pm Sandown

Altior

If Mister Fisher has had a frustrating campaign, then double it for Altior! In hindsight, we were all perhaps a bit too downbeat after his second to Nube Negra at Kempton in December – time has told us he faced a very stiff task there trying to give 6lb to the winner on the back of a long break – and at least he comes here a very fresh horse. That has not always been the case when he has won the last three runnings of this race. I have to say it’s a lot tougher race than is usually the case – it’s a really strong line-up, even with Nube Negra going to Ireland – but we just want to get him out there and let him do his stuff. If he is good enough, then great, and hopefully the first-time cheekpieces play their part.

4.15pm Sandown

On The Blind Side

This horse has done us proud this season and he probably wasn’t far off his best in Grade 1 company at Aintree last time, despite being beaten 13 lengths. He clearly acts on any ground but we always had him down as a horse who preferred a decent surface and that is what he will get here. He is a course winner who finished second in this race in 2019 on his only other start here, and I expect another good show, even with a 4lb penalty. In fact, he has a decent shot at winning this, I think.

4.50pm Sandown

Falco Blitz

He didn’t run his race at Kempton last time but at least the handicapper has eased him slightly for it.  He probably needed to, as he put him up a harsh 9lb for his previous Southwell win. But I do think this ground will suit him, and the trip is obviously fine, too, and he is a real strong-traveller when on song.

5.25pm Sandown

Cascova

He was a good bumper horse and he opened his account over hurdles in really good fashion for me at Ascot last month, beating a fair sort with plenty in hand. He was raised 3lb on the back of that win for his handicap debut here but I think that is fair enough – you can always do with a pound or two less, though – and I would hope there is a fair bit more to come from him now. He should go well.