UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

Paul Nicholls holds a strong hand here and his GETAWAY TRUMP could be the one to side with following his confidence-boosting victory at Ayr earlier this month. He has already placed in a Grade 1 behind Champ this season and is just 5lb higher than when fourth in the competitive Betfair Hurdle, with this stiff finish set to play to his strengths. Stablemate Birds Of Prey isn't the easiest customer, but arrives in search of a hat-trick following two Taunton triumphs and he could be a little ahead of the assessor. It is interesting that Wayne Hutchinson has chosen to partner Harambe out of Alan King's pair and he comes into the equation following two comfortable victories, while it is Richard Johnson who comes in for the spare ride aboard the capable Scarlet Dragon. Not much separated Benny's Bridge and Flash The Steel when they fought out the finish at Cheltenham in January and both make appeal having both scored in novice company last time, while Harry Skelton has picked Humble Hero over Flash The Steel and that decision must be respected.
Prediction : 1st Getaway Trump 2nd Harambe 3rd Birds Of Prey

DEFINITLY RED's Gold Cup challenge only got as far as the 10th fence when brought down by the fall of Invitation Only on the first circuit of the Prestbury Park feature, but he could gain compensation here if repeating his early season form which saw him land a pair of valuable Grade 2 events. He was two lengths clear of Black Corton when landing the spoils in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and that rival could be the main challenger once again. The Ditcheat runner has failed to build on that performance this season, despite running with credit in defeat, but nevertheless seems a genuine contender for the podium slots. Nicky Henderson took this race last season but his pair of Gold Present and Josses Hill have questions to answer here, while Charbel found life tough in the Ryanair at Cheltenham and this trip may revive his fortunes.
Prediction : 1st Definitly Red 2nd Black Corton 3rd Charbel

This could prove to be little more than an end of season procession for the all-conquering ALTIOR, who has won this for the past two seasons with handler Nicky Henderson looking for a fourth successive triumph in the Grade 1 contest. He has proved to be as good as ever this season and, having reaffirmed his love affair for the Sandown fences with Tingle Creek success earlier in the season, will take some stopping. Sceau Royal gave the selection a momentary fright in the Champion Chase when running a huge race to finish third and good ground should enable him to run well once again over a course and distance he landed a Grade 1 over as a novice. God's Own was third in this last season and will be hunting for similar prize money on this occasion along with Diego Du Charmil.
Prediction : 1st Altior 2nd Sceau Royal 3rd Gods Own

STEP BACK gave it a good go from the front for a long way in the Grand National until he pulled up after the 24th fence and if he is fully over those exertions then he'd be of plenty of interest in a race he won by 13 lengths, from Rock The Kasbah, on good to soft ground 12 months ago - albeit he is rated 10lb higher this time around. The Young Master has slipped 6lb lower than when winning this contest in 2016 and posted a strong warm-up effort when third in the Kim Muir. 2018 Scottish Grand National winner Joe Farrell would be an each-way contender on decent ground, while there may be more races to be won with Paul Nicholls' Give Me A Copper off his current perch. Alan King's novice Talkischeap harbours untapped potential over extreme distances and also merits inclusion on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Step Back 2nd Joe Farrell 3rd The Young Master

Nicky Henderson has a fine record in this contest, having won three of the five renewals, and he saddles a trio of runners today, with the pick of his contenders appearing to be ON THE BLIND SIDE. He hasn't reached the heights expected of him over fences and was pulled up in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, but a return to the scene of his most impressive success in December 2017 and better ground could see him bounce back to his best here. Old Guard has a pair of blinkers on for the first time which could see him in the mix after a disappointing effort in the National Spirit at Fontwell last time, while Black Op has the ability to go close based on his Grade 1 success at Aintree last year, providing his jumping holds up.
Prediction : 1st On The Blind Side 2nd Old Guard 3rd Black Op

HUNTSMAN SON ran better than his finishing position of ninth suggested in the Close Brothers at Cheltenham and, back on decent ground, looks fairly handicapped to return to winning ways. Good Man Pat has shown improved form as a chaser and can be forgiven his effort in the aforementioned race at Prestbury Park on ground too soft. Psychedelic Rock, Didero Vallis and Larry look best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Huntsman Son 2nd Good Man Pat 3rd Psychedelic Rock

CHAMPAGNE COURT ran with credit to finish fourth in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival and this sounder surface is likely to pose no issue, while the Jeremy Scott yard is currently in excellent form. Encore Champs is a dual winner over timber and is likely to benefit from a step up in distance, while others to consider include Wait For Me, who won this in 2017 and is handicapped to land a prize of this nature, and Colonial Dreams, as he is much better than his effort at Taunton last time suggests.
Prediction : 1st Champagne Court 2nd Encore Champs 3rd Wait For Me