THE Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 at Sandown Park is a very competitive renewal, with Authorised Speed and Tahmuras vying for favouritism, as ante-post favourite Luccia for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson is no longer a runner. There are plenty of angles in this field, with ground looking sure to play a part, as it is currently soft at the time of writing on Friday morning and there is plenty of rain forecast so conditions are likely to be soft and heavy in places.
On a strong card those who are proven in the conditions have to be at the forefront and the Unibet Veterans’ Chase is a cracking renewal of this fantastic series, featuring all these popular horses.
The rest of the Unibet sponsored card at Sandown has some fascinating races and there is some good racing at Wincanton too.
See you at Sandown and enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.15 Sandown – Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
Precious Eleanor probably needed the run last month when fourth to Fantastic Lady in a listed race at Market Rasen in November after being prominent early on and then fading. That listed race was over three miles and the drop back in distance will suit Precious Eleanor, who won at around this trip on her last two starts last season, having finished runner-up on her previous five appearances. Precious Eleanor has each way claims at a minimum in this eight-runner field and she will return to form for her trainer Henry Daly, who has his yard on a great strike rate.
1.50 Sandown – Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year (1m 7½f)
Frero Banbou did a little too much in front when fourth to the subsequent Grade Two Wayward Lad winner Boothill at Ascot last time and will be in much better form for this appearance. He is 1ib lower than when third to Global Citizen in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in the heavy and with the current forecast it is likely to be very testing at Sandown. This is all in Frero Banbou’s favour and given that he looks sure to be aimed at longer trips in future this course and distance winner can come from off the strong pace to stay on well right to the winning post.
2.25 Sandown – Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (2m)
Authorised Speed was fifth in the Champion Bumper to Facile Vega at the Cheltenham Festival and has shown on his two hurdle appearances this season that he has the right profile to take this Grade 1. On his maiden hurdle appearance at Lingfield he won in impressive style as he liked and then followed up in the Tingle Creek meeting in a novice hurdle when ridden out to beat Immortal by 6½ lengths. Both those victories have been in the soft and the forecast rain won’t hinder the chances of this highly regarded six-year-old at all.
3.00 Sandown – Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2022 Veterans’ Chase Series Final) 3m
Saint Xavier (nap) was well backed to score at Haydock last time out in November and duly did so, as he was well on top at the finish and looking like he had a bit in hand, so a 5lb rise looks more than fair given that The Two Amigos, the Welsh National winner, was back in third. Saint Xavier has won on the heavy as well as soft and has a very solid chance of following up on his Haydock success with the excellent Lilly Pinchin taking the ride.
Chambard brings the best strike rate from last season to the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase with form figures of 122111, which includes his victory in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival over three miles two furlongs. In contrast on his sole appearance this season at Haydock in November, and his first since March, he made mistakes early on and never travelled thereafter, with regular pilot Lucy Turner pulling him up. Chambard has only been pulled up on one other occasion in 29 career starts and he has been overlooked, as he has won in the heavy, finished runner-up at Sandown over fences on his sole appearance at the Esher course, will be sharper for his run and if he replicates last seaon’s form has strong each way claims.
3.35 Sandown – Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Hurdle (1m 7f)
Palladium is a speculative each way selection with Unibet paying four places. This is his first start since appearing on the flat at Yarmouth in July 2021 when finishing fourth and he could have been closer on that occasion, as he showed he still retained ability. Back in March 2020 he won over hurdles at both the January and February meetings at Sandown in soft and heavy respectively. Palladium is having his first start for Polly Gundry and Unibet Ambassador Nico de Boinville takes the ride. (Read Nico’s thoughts, here)
The Wine Tipster’s Six Pack
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