1.50 Sandown

Six millimetres of overnight rain at the Esher venue may make finding winners harder than finding ITV Racing’s output today (It is on ITV4 for those searching) but GARDE LA VICTOIRE (Best price 9-4) can make his class pay in the 32Red Handicap Chase. A solid performance behind Yanworth over hurdles at Ascot has been upgraded with the winner’s subsequent Christmas Hurdle win at Kempton and, although the selection would ideally prefer better ground, conditions shouldn’t be as deep on the chase course. Bright New Dawn has twice won off breaks of 279 and 252 days respectively so he is an intriguing runner for his new connections. He is very good on a going day and boasts a good record on right-handed tracks in small fields.

Garde La Victoire - 1pt @ 9/4

2.20 Sandown

The heavy overnight rain has dented confidence in CAPITAINE (Best price 13-8) a little, but some rain may ensure the ground doesn’t become tacky and, although the selection was beaten on soft ground at Haydock, I think that owed more to inexperience and a slowly-run race. Capitaine, cleverly ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies last time out at Ascot, displayed the benefit of that outing to make the running and see off a host of promising and exciting rivals in Grade 2 company. Finian’s Oscar has become one of the most hyped horses in National Hunt racing, but it is hardly a surprise given the domination of his stable this year and, with the rain likely to play to his strengths, he could well usurp Capitaine as market leader come flag fall. However, Capitaine has the form in the book and, if he copes with conditions, can add his name to the likes of Noland, Silverburn and Breedbreeze who have won this race for the Ditcheat operation in the last decade.

Capitaine - 1pt @ 13/8

3.00 Sandown

Although they don’t seem to please everyone, the series of veterans races have been a superb innovation in my view and today’s example is a terrific race. David Pipe won this event 12 months ago with Soll and the well-handicapped Dynaste has been popular in the ante-post markets. Pipe’s grey is respected as he could easily turn this into a rout if in the mood, but I was impressed with GAS LINE BOY (best price 9-1) at Kelso and I like horses which race on the pace and can find a good rhythm at Sandown. Ian Williams has done this column a couple of good turns in recent weeks courtesy of Poker School and hopefully his fine recent run will continue.

Gas Line Boy - 0.5pts e/w @ 9/1

3.35 Sandown

CHOCALA (Best price 9-2) was a strong stayer on the flat, but has found two-and-a-half miles beyond him in two decent novice events this term. The positive to take from those defeats is a rating of 127 which doesn’t appear punitive for a horse that graduated to a rating in the 90s on the level this summer. There could be better to come now he tackled a handicap hurdle for the first time with a stiff two miles on easy ground appearing an ideal test. Alan King’s charge narrowly gains the nod over a number of interesting rivals including John Reel who returns to obstacles for the first time in three years.

Chocala - 1pt e/w @ 9/2

2.05 Wincanton

SOME BUCKLE (best price 5-1) has often promised more than he’s delivered in a career which has been underwhelming to date. However, there has been merit in both of the eight-year-old’s performances this term where a bad error stopped him in his tracks at Aintree on his return before the gelding found the two miles on the short side at Ascot last time behind Sire De Grugy. Some Buckle returns to two-and-a-half miles today and that could prove the catalyst to a winning performance for a combination which has enjoyed a great season to date.

Some Buckle - 0.5pts e/w @ 5/1

2.40 Wincanton

This doesn’t appear a race for a huge investment with plenty of ifs and buts surrounding the participants. Wild West Wind is high on the shortlist but today’s trip may not be a sufficient test so preference is for DRAYTONIAN (Best price 15-2) who has already proved himself a useful hurdler and boasts chase winners in his pedigree. The seven-year-old has run well on both his starts this term and could be even better now he tackles a new vocation.

Draytonian - 0.5pts e/w @ 15/2

3.15 Wincanton

Lucy Gardner polarises opinion a little with her efforts in the saddle but she got a good tune out of TRANS EXPRESS (Best price 9-2) at Exeter last time and, with that form working out well already, the seven-year-old could be the answer to an interesting handicap. Above Board will be popular here following his smooth Carlisle success, but in many ways the selection was equally impressive at Exeter in beating Rocklander and, with that rival again running well at Cheltenham since, the form looks very solid.

Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing

Trans Express - 1pt e/w @ 9/2