UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

Hartington returned a comfortable winner at Newbury and can feature once again if proving as effective on today's softer going. However, the underfoot conditions are not a problem for HONKY TONK HIGHWAY, who won a Listed bumper on soft ground here in March and found only the odds-on favourite too good at Warwick on last month's hurdling debut. She can shown the benefit of that experience and land this prize. Juby Ball has shown ability in bumpers and is one to note now hurdling, while Epinephrine is related to winning hurdlers in France and debuts for Venetia Williams' in-form yard.
Prediction : 1st Honky Tonk Highway 2nd Hartington 3rd Juby Ball

LARCHMONT LASS seemed to have lost her chance turning for home at Wincanton, but she found a second wind in the straight and returned a cosy winner. Paul Nicholls' six-year-old looks to have plenty more to offer and can defy a 4lb rise in this lower grade. Hard As Nails made every yard at Stratford on her handicap bow and can have a say in the outcome, while Dollar Collar returns to the smaller obstacles with a shout off her current mark. Ring O Roses, an import from Ireland, is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Larchmont Lass 2nd Hard As Nails 3rd Dollar Collar

OPERATION MANNA showed progressive form over hurdles last season, including a victory in this contest 12 months ago. Tom Lacey's inmate is 5lb higher on this occasion, but goes well fresh and another bold bid looks on the cards. The veteran West To The Bridge bounced back to form when third at Bangor recently and merits consideration, while Dubrovnik Harry ended last term with a creditable third in a competitive handicap over course and distance and has a shout off a 1lb higher mark. Henri The Second and Ike Sport are worth a second glance.
Prediction : 1st Operation Manna 2nd West To The Bridge 3rd Dubrovnik Harry

Last season's County Hurdle runner-up L'EAU DU SUD looks to have improved for fences, winning at Stratford and Cheltenham by a combined total of 21 lengths, and he can notch his first Grade 1 victory this afternoon. Down Memory Lane could ask most questions of the selection. He defied a 325-day absence when readily winning what looked a hot beginners chase at Navan last month and there should be plenty more to come from the six-year-old. His stablemate Touch Me Not should also give a good account, while Elite Hurdle scorer Rubaud is interesting pitched in at the highest level on his chasing debut.
Prediction : 1st Leau Du Sud 2nd Down Memory Lane 3rd Rubaud

WILLMOUNT had been hugely impressive prior to bombing out in last season's Challow Hurdle (reportedly lost his right front shoe) and deserves another chance following a break for a yard that tends to come to hand at around this time of season. Altobelli placed in a couple of competitive handicaps last term and merits consideration on his reappearance, while Nemean Lion cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Willmount 2nd Altobelli 3rd Nemean Lion

JONBON may not have set the world alight on his return in the Shloer last month, but Sandown always brings out the best in Nicky Henderson's star chaser, and he comfortably saw off the reopposing Edwardstone in last year's renewal of this contest. Unbeaten with Nico De Boinville on board, the eight-year-old is well clear of his rivals on ratings, and he can take this en route to a first tilt at the Queen Mother in March. Irish raider Quilixios may not be the most consistent, but he impressed on his return in a Grade 3 at Naas and is likely to be thereabouts, along with Haldon Gold Cup winner JPR One. Boothill has only has a length and a half to find with the selection from their meeting at Cheltenham last month, and most of his best form is going right-handed.
Prediction : 1st Jonbon 2nd Quilixios 3rd Boothill

MR VANGO may have been disappointing when last seen pulling up in the Scottish Grand National, but he was an impressive winner at Exeter in February, and his favoured prominent tactics can often work well at this track. The booking of Nico De Boinville is another plus and he may have too much for Montgomery, who was an excellent three wins from four over fences last season and may relish the step up in trip on his return. A comfortable winner at Fontwell last month, Unanswered Prayers must enter calculations, along with Certainly Red, who scored over 3m here last time out.
Prediction : 1st Mr Vango 2nd Montgomery 3rd Unanswered Prayers