THE Tingle Creek Christmas Festival is one of my favourite meetings and the 2018 Tingle Creek will live long in the memory as Un De Sceaux (back again this year) did his very best in putting up a bold show to try and beat the fantastic Altior. It made for a great spectacle and the 2019 renewal looks very open, so expect a tight finish.

As well as presenting in Sandown’s award-winning Equus Restaurant and working with Luca and Carmelo, who make this a great raceday experience, I’m also looking forward to seeing Sandown’s new 1875 Lounge.

Away from Sandown on Saturday, the Becher Chase holds center stage at Aintree and this has become a cracking contest this decade. 

Sunday features The Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, a course everyone should visit, and I will see you there. What a three days ahead!

Friday

12.45 Sandown Juvenile Hurdle 1m 7f

Goshen for Sandown specialist Gary Moore for my money has turned in the most impressive performance by a juvenile so far when thrashing them silly at Fontwell by 23 lengths, despite giving away a lot of ground by jumping right. Be disappointed if he gets beat here. Looks a real galloping type and a very exciting prospect.

Unibet 8/11 win

1.20 Sandown Handicap Chase 1m 7f

Paddy’s Poem has won three of his last four starts and there are more races to be won by this eight-year-old. He’s not that big but he’s gutsy and if he’s still there at the Pond, will come home as well as anything. His regular rider James Davies, who has partnered him to all his wins, is once again in the plate.

Unibet 11/2 each-way

2.55 Sandown Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase 3m  

Le Reve (nap) trained by the underrated Lucy Wadham is one of my favourites and he showed on his seasonal debut when third here last month to Houblon Des Obeaux that all the enthusiasm was still there on his home turf.

It is hard to knock his claims, given overall his excellent Sandown record with four course and distance successes. Today he will get this run to suit (Loose Chips and Plantagenet will push on early). Back on last winning mark (when successful here by 13l last March) and holds a first-rate chance. 

Unibet 100/30 win

Saturday

1.30 Aintree Becher Chase 3m 2f

Walk In The Mill can follow up on last year’s impressive victory with a second success, equalling Hello Bud and Into The Red, who both won the Becher Chase on two occasions. Robert Walford’s nine-year-old runs off a mark of 141, which is only 4lbs higher than last year and he showed in the Grand National when finishing fourth (I backed at 33/1) to Tiger Roll that the Aintree fences and course really suit him. On seasonal debut in Wincanton’s Badger Beer he was always going to need the run as he was eventually pulled up two out. Whilst the Richard Walford’s yard hasn’t been striking the winners Walk In The Mill must have a good chance here.

Unibet 9/1 each-way

The 2017 Grand National winner One For Arthur ran a blinder when finishing sixth to Tiger Roll in April and showed his continued wellbeing when fourth to Mysteree on seasonal debut at Kelso in October when running over this trip. He will come on tremendously for that run and whilst the view is that he needs further these days he looks to have a strong each-way chance at this unique course where he is most effective.

Unibet 8/1 each way

3.00 Sandown Tingle Creek Chase Grade 1 2m

This is a fabulous renewal and previous winner, highest rated and oldest runner, eleven-year-old ten-time Grade 1 winner Un De Sceaux, can raise the roof at Sandown holding off Defi Du Seuil, previous winner Politologue and Sceau Royal.

The going could be softer than predicted and Un De Sceaux served it up to Altior in soft, testing conditions last year when going down bravely to the mighty Nicky Henderson charge.

Sandown suits him really well; he can get into a great rhythm here and Un De Sceaux goes well fresh too.

Unibet 9/2 each way

Sunday

2.00 Huntingdon Peterborough Chase Grade 2 2m 4f

A fascinating renewal with Top Notch selected to win for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, who has his yard in top form. The talented and gusty Top Notch won on seasonal debut over fences at Aintree when beating Roksana and Vision Des Flos in a cracker. His chasing rating is 11lbs higher than hurdles and back in January over fences he was seeing off Black Corton in fine style, whilst giving weight away.

Unibet 11/4 win