UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

Castle Carrock may not have beaten too much in an Ayr bumper on debut but he shaped with plenty of promise in that facile success and warrants the utmost respect now tried over obstacles, but preference is for the hurdling experience of DIVA LUNA. Winner of a Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree last season, Ben Pauling's charge opened her account over timber at the second attempt when dominating from the front over Cheltenham's extended 2m4f (I'm Your Buckaroo pulled up) and, on that evidence, the drop back in trip should be no issue. Exeter scorer Kap Vert looks best of the rest, but he must concede weight all round.
Prediction : 1st Diva Luna 2nd Castle Carrock 3rd Kap Vert

Having been beaten just under three lengths by a 120-rated winner in an Exeter maiden last month, DON'T WIND ME UP looks potentially well treated off a mark of 112 and he is fancied to make a bold bid on his handicap bow for an in-form stable. Give Me A Boom relished the return to hurdles when landing a maiden at Uttoxeter and there could be more to come from the top-weight following that confidence booster. Moab showed improved form to make the frame at Wincanton and a subsequent 1lb drop in the ratings brings him into the equation.
Prediction : 1st Dont Wind Me Up 2nd Give Me A Boom 3rd Moab

DOYEN DU BAR has returned from his summer break with a brace of chase victories, including when making all at Aintree on Boxing Day, and a further 3lb rise may not be enough to thwart his hat-trick bid. That said, Inedit Star was only a length and a quarter behind him on Merseyside and, with that pipe-opener under his belt, Nick Kent's charge looks a big threat at the revised weights. Although soundly beaten, Vincenzo chased home the talented Kalif Du Berlais off this mark at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and there doesn't appear to be anything of that calibre in opposition here.
Prediction : 1st Doyen Du Bar 2nd Inedit Star 3rd Vincenzo

A comfortable winner of this contest last year before landing a similar race the following month over C&D, FARCEUR DU LARGE didn't show much on his return at Newbury in November but should be primed for the defence of his crown. A progressive sort early last season but well beaten on his comeback at Newbury last month, Hold That Taught must enter calculations, along with Black Gerry, who is entitled to another go at this distance.
Prediction : 1st Farceur Du Large 2nd Hold That Taught 3rd Black Gerry

The Lucy Wadham stable can do little wrong at present and this represents an ideal opportunity for PEARLY ISLAND to follow up a comfortable success when switched back to hurdles at Fakenham. A 6lb rise could prove lenient and it may be that Loverdose gives him the most to think about, having scored with ease at Windsor. A taking winner over 2m at Lingfield, Dominic's Fault may improve for going back up in trip, while Il Va De Soi is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Pearly Island 2nd Loverdose 3rd Dominics Fault

AUTHENTIC LEGACY may still be a maiden after six starts, but he has long given the impression that he may improve for going up in distance and he gets that opportunity now. A respectable third on his most recent appearance over 2m here, he is preferred to the hat-trick-seeking Lord Of All Saints and Marlacoo, who ran well in novice hurdles before falling on his handicap debut at Wetherby.
Prediction : 1st Authentic Legacy 2nd Lord Of All Saints 3rd Marlacoo