UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

PALLADIUM was a handy performer for Martyn Meade on the level and was sent off favourite on his hurdles debut at Warwick last month. He was only denied by a short head on that occasion and can gain some compensation here. Gary Moore often does well here and his Brambledown has a chance if in the form that saw him finish second on his first two hurdles assignments, finding only a subsequent Listed winner too good at Ludlow on his penultimate outing. The pick of Zarafshan's Flat form suggests he could figure switching to timber with Emma Lavelle.
Prediction : 1st Palladium 2nd Brambledown 3rd Zarafshan

Useful bumper horse Silver Forever has done little wrong since switching to hurdles and won't mind conditions here having placed in a Listed mares' bumper in soft ground here last season. However, this could present the ideal opportunity for Paul Webbber's consistent INDEFATIGABLE to land a second Listed success following another fine effort in defeat at Cheltenham last month. Cap Soleil is more than good enough to figure and is worth a market check on her seasonal reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Indefatigable 2nd Silver Forever 3rd Cap Soleil

Gary Moore won this last season and his WAIKIKI WAVES could be the answer this time having picked up where he left off when reappearing with a win at Fontwell. That extends his winning run to four and he could prove hard to stop if in the same form. Chef D'Equipe is 5lb higher than when winning this in 2018, but was only denied by a head at Newbury last time and has to be on the shortlist, while a wind operation brought about a first fencing success for Dashing Perk, who relished this course and distance last month. Mercy Mercy Me, Mystical Clouds and Cap Du Nord are others to consider and have each-way possibilities.
Prediction : 1st Waikiki Waves 2nd Chef DEquipe 3rd Dashing Perk

JOHNBB got off the mark over fences impressively over C&D last month and even a 6lb rise in the ratings for that success may not be enough to stop the unexposed six-year-old from taking this contest as well. Locker Room Talk is a consistent performer who will be hard to keep out of the frame, while Delire D'Estruval is a course winner who is entitled to improve for his recent comeback run.
Prediction : 1st Johnbb 2nd Locker Room Talk 3rd Delire DEstruval

A competitive renewal of this Grade 1 contest but marginal preference is for FIDDLERONTHEROOF, who won impressively over C&D last time out. That followed two good efforts in defeat and the son of Stowaway remains open to further improvement. Son Of Camas accounted for a useful rival when winning on his hurdling debut at Newbury in November and he could prove to be the main threat to the selection. The shortlist is completed by Hang In There and Silver Hallmark.
Prediction : 1st Fiddlerontheroof 2nd Son Of Camas 3rd Hang In There

Evan Williams holds a useful hand here with the first-time visored On Tour and King's Odyssey, who got the better of Smooth Stepper (second) in a competitive heat at Warwick recently. Theatre Guide was fifth in that contest and races off the same mark as when second in this last season, while the hat-trick seeking Horatio Hornblower is a dour stayer who will enjoy conditions. Burtons Well is more than capable of providing Venetia Williams with a poignant victory in a race named in honour of her ill-fated Houblon Des Obeaux, while Jepeck has relished the deep winter ground so far this term and is yet to finish out of the top two in three outings. However, the nod goes to DARK FLAME, who crossed the line in second in the subsequently voided London National here last month. The only horse ahead of him on that occasion gained some compensation at Cheltenham earlier this week and Richard Rowe's 11-year-old could do the same here in first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Dark Flame 2nd Kings Odyssey 3rd Jepeck

GUNNERY was an impressive 12-length winner at Doncaster last weekend and the seven-year-old will be very hard to beat if reproducing that form, despite having to carry a 6lb penalty. Ainchea looked to have a bright future as a novice a couple of seasons ago and he merits respect on his handicap debut, while similar comments apply to his stablemate Eldorado Allen. Others who merit places on the shortlist are Blu Cavalier, Totterdown and Smarty Wild.
Prediction : 1st Gunnery 2nd Ainchea 3rd Eldorado Allen