Saturday 3rd Tingle Creek Sandown Park

I'm very much looking forward to this weekend, the horse below could be a magic chaser a future unstoppable machine. I'll focus on this one later, the Christmas Tingle Creek meeting is upon us and as Sandown is my favourite track in the country for jumps, I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

On with the card...

Sandown 12.55 2m Novices Hurdle

To start the afternoon I think a paddock check is in order. If you find one you like the look of then that will go some way to solving this race. The race itself could throw up one to follow as quite a few top quality trainers are represented here, these young horses are inexperienced and some are jumping at a track for the first time means its quite a conundrum. I've narrowed it down to two I think a coin toss would be the only fair way to spilt them. Consequently, I have to mention both and thats TANTE SISSI and TETLAMI. Both these horses will certainly enjoy the ground and both have shown to be very competitive on the flat . The trip is no concern for both horses and if the ground is on the softer side of good then I can see both being in the frame but more importantly if both have been schooled well which I'm sure they both have been then I believe both will be in the frame if fit and raring to go. Finally, a paddock check is essential.

1.25 2m 6f Pertemps Handicap Hurdle

This race is always competitive and a horse with stamina to finish strongly coined with confident, consistent jumping will take this prize. Unfortunately those comments haven't always been favourable for my selection. However, the Paul Webber trained CANTLOW could be the answer here. I believe this slightly shorter trip will make the difference, in quite a few of CANTLOW'S previous performances he seems to be cruising until about 3 to 4 out and finds little in the final few furlongs. Consequently, this is a horse who will jump all day, is fluent, will be ridden with plenty in reserve and will love the ground particularly if its on the quicker side. Paul Webber has been a little unlucky with a few this season and CANTLOW will deliver at an each way price.

1.55 Henry VIII Novices Chase 2m

AL FEROF trained by the mighty Paul Nicholl's is certainly hard to oppose particularly when you take it's nearest rival Sprinter Sacre who he beat convincingly in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and looks like he will progress again. Furthermore it won convincingly at the Paddy Power festival in Cheltenham on the Sunday and seems to go on a variety of ground, is a strong jumper and seems to give even more when asked to quicken. I like this progressive animal who will undoubtedly go off favourite but will prove too good for the rest.

2.30 2m 110y Handicap Hurdle

This 2 miler will take all the beating in my opinion if she mirrors her performance at Wetherby last time out. ALASI beat Whoops a Daisy on that occasion and she kept on well in the finish. ALASI ran well at Sandown back in January when finishing 2nd over a further trip. If Paul Webber has tuned this mare up to be fully fit and focused then a big run will undoubtedly be in order. Another good each way proposition.

3.05 Tingle Creek 2m Chase

Unfortunately my selection is now a non runner so I'm having to look back at this race. My second choice would be much more of an outsider but a solid each way proposition. I have no doubt that this horse will run a big race, the main reason is because he loves Sandown. CORNAS although he maybe short of top class level, he will always run a true race and will keep on trying. CORNAS didnt go down without a fight in a very competitive heat at Exeter last time out, only losing by 1.25 lengths to Medermit who is a smart chaser in the making. At 18/1 is a nice price and loves it around the Esher track.

Firstly, if you've backed Kauto Stone then your fingers maybe burnt a little. Nicholls was quoted as saying that the rain must come and I'm not sure enough of that will come in the next few days. Anyway my attentions are firmly on a progressive, good looking and solid jumper who seems to like a fast gallop on good, good to soft ground. TATANIANO certainly looked the business last time out at Chepstow jumping smartly throughout so I'm sure it will run a true race (fingers crossed). That run at Chepstow in October showed this horse is a classy act. My reasons against the favourite Sizing Europe is that the trip wont suit, Wishful thinking is also a negative for that very same reason. More positives point to TATANIANO.

Good Luck if you having a punt!