13:50 Sandown

Dan Skelton is doubly-represented here with the vote going to ETALON (best price 3/1), who made giant strides in this sphere last season and can find himself only 4lb higher than when he bolted up at this course last February by nine lengths.

The eight-year-old hasn’t set the world alight in three starts this season but there was more encouragement in his latest start at Cheltenham and I presume this may have been a plot by his handler, with stablemate Unexpected Party topping the weights.

The fact that Harry Skelton has opted for this horse instead of last season’s Grand Annual winner is noteworthy to say the least. With an excellent record on soft ground, this eight-year-old gets the nod to get off the mark for the season.

Etalon, 1pt WIN, 3/1

HUBRISKO (best price 16/1) was well beaten on his seasonal/stable debut after 15 months off over hurdles at Newbury five weeks ago, but that run would have badly been needed, and I really fancy him to make an impact now returning to fences here.

This useful hurdler/chaser, when trained by Willie Mullins, looked well suited to front-running tactics when slamming his rivals on his penultimate outing over three miles, and his earlier second to Ballyadam reads well.

Harry Dedham’s charge looks nicely treated off a mark of 134, and should he be ridden positively around here, I can see this sound jumper getting a few of his rivals out of their comfort zone. With fitness assured, he makes plenty of appeal.

Hubrisko, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1

14:25 Sandown

THE LORD MAID (best price 8/1) was over two lengths behind Georgi Girl on her handicap/seasonal debut, but she has a lot more to come with that run under her belt and looks like the value at the odds.

Tom Lacey’s mare should be better suited to this shorter distance, and Gavin Sheehan will take this ride this time. After just three starts in this sphere, I can see her running a very big race.

The Lord Maid, 0.5 pts E/W, 8/1

15:00 Sandown

Although it’s approaching nearly three years since ELDORADO ALLEN (best price 4/1) last got his head in front, the 11-year-old has looked on good terms with himself in making the frame in both starts this season and is taken to gain a rewarding success with plenty in his favour. 

This classy chaser is down to a career-low handicap chase mark of 149, given his two placed efforts this season have been off a pound-higher mark. He boasts a fine course record that reads 12344, with both fourth-placed efforts coming in Grade 1 and Grade 2 events.

Joe Tizzard’s charge was rated as high as 162 early last year and even finished fourth in the Coral Gold Cup towards the end of last year off a mark of 154. Everything looks to have aligned perfectly for him in this race, so under a positive ride, he can land the spoils.

Eldorado Allen, 1pt WIN, 4/1

15:35 Sandown

I’m really strong on the chances of NAVAJO INDY (best price 9/2) in the concluding race on the card. This six-year-old arrives into this race in search of a four-timer, having landed three on the bounce with a decisive win in Newbury’s Listed Gerry Feilden.

The way he was able to hold off Queens Gamble was seriously impressive, and although he’s 8lb higher, this is actually a significant ease in grade. With plenty more to come, this progressive six-year-old has every chance of winning again.

Navajo Indy, 1pt E/W, 9/2