UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

STAR OF LANKA's form tailed off last season having won twice in novice hurdles at Hereford at the end of last year, but a wind operation might aid the cause of Warren Greatrex's gelding on his return to action. Laxey's best run over hurdles came when second at Warwick to a useful mare of Nicky Henderson's in April and he can enter the reckoning as he steps up to 2m4f for the first time. Others to note include Melekhov and Our Dot's Baby.
Prediction : 1st Star Of Lanka 2nd Laxey 3rd Melekhov

CHAMPAGNE COURT ran a fine race to finish second in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow on his return to action and, now sent chasing, makes plenty of appeal coming from the family of 1995 Grand National winner Royal Athlete. Envoye Special could leave last season's form well behind having had wind surgery since his latest effort at Kempton in March, while Lungarno Palace and The Flying Sofa can both get competitive.
Prediction : 1st Champagne Court 2nd Envoye Special 3rd Lungarno Palace

PROTEKTORAT was well regarded by connections when purchased after finishing second at Auteuil last September but failed to live up to those expectations in three starts for Dan Skelton last term. However, a wind operation, combined with a first-time hood, could see the four-year-old take a big step forward. Keen On represents leading connections and can build on his second in a Perth bumper, while Cobaltic and On The Wild Side appear best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Protektorat 2nd Keen On 3rd Cobaltic

SANTINI begins the season as Nicky Henderson's chief Gold Cup hope and it isn't difficult to see why given how well he finished to claim runner-up honours in the RSA. After just the three previous chase starts, he has any amount of scope for improvement, and Henderson successfully used this as a springboard to a Gold Cup campaign for Might Bite a couple of years ago. Talkischeap ended his novice season with a dominant display in the bet365 Gold Cup, and Alan King can't be blamed for seeing if he is up to following a blue riband path. Steely Addition is rated higher than Now Mcginty but was a long way behind him at Chepstow in January.
Prediction : 1st Santini 2nd Talkischeap 3rd Now Mcginty

Miranda was desperately disappointing on her handicap debut at Wincanton back in the spring and while it is too soon to write her off, she certainly has something to prove. Destin D'Ajonc and Totterdown are interesting on first starts for new trainers, and Shut The Box is a player on his first foray outside maiden/novice company, but the vote goes to NEBUCHADNEZZAR. Alan King's inmate also goes handicapping for the first time, but brings strong form from good juvenile races last season to the table and made a pleasing enough return at Wincanton last month.
Prediction : 1st Nebuchadnezzar 2nd Destin DAjonc 3rd Totterdown