UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

OLD COWBOY made a promising start under Rules when finishing a staying-on third over an extended 2m at Newbury recently and he looks well capable of playing a starring role in this company. The more experienced Diamonds For Luck was entitled to score in the manner that he did when landing prohibitive odds over 2m at Wetherby last time out, but there is no telling where his ceiling may be and he merits consideration. Noble Park can get the better of Ballela Blaze in the battle for third.
Prediction : 1st Old Cowboy 2nd Diamonds For Luck 3rd Noble Park

Just Lucky Sivola travelled strongly into contention before fading into third over an extended 2m7f at Ascot last time out, but this drop back in trip could see him go well. That said, it may pay to side with DE KINGPIN. Ben Pauling's charge seemed to appreciate the step up in distance when staying on strongly over an extended 2m4f at Newbury recently, finishing second before being subsequently awarded the race. Now making his handicap debut, he looks the one to be with. Kalif D'airy completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st De Kingpin 2nd Just Lucky Sivola 3rd Kalif Dairy

Punters will need to be in a forgiving mood to side with GUNSIGHT RIDGE, but it may pay to do so. He was still in with a winning chance when falling at the last over 2m at Cheltenham on his penultimate start, before running inexplicably poorly at Kelso most recently. With cheekpieces reapplied, this talented chaser could bounce back. Martator arrives on the back of a disappointing effort over 2m5f at Ascot recently but this step back in trip could see him go well off 1lb lower, while C&D winner Etalon is starting to look well handicapped.
Prediction : 1st Gunsight Ridge 2nd Martator 3rd Etalon

JANGO BAIE was a pretty smart hurdler, but looked made for chasing when comfortably accounting for subsequent winner Springwell Bay on his fencing bow at Cheltenham. He could probably be competitive over 2m or 3m at next month's Festival but, for now, this trip looks ideal and he can confirm himself a top-notch novice. Handstands actually beat him in the Sidney Banks last year and, after a inauspicious beginning to his chasing career, hasn't looked back with Grade 2 victories at Sandown and Ffos Las. Kalif Du Berlais boasts a similar profile, albeit at a slightly lower level, and is another smart prospect.
Prediction : 1st Jango Baie 2nd Handstands 3rd Kalif Du Berlais

HENRI THE SECOND has been kept relatively fresh since strolling through the mud to win a Pertemps qualifier over C&D and an 8lb rise may underestimate the merit of that triumph. It's a lot to ask for a similar performance here, but he appears to be coming into his own now and is worth sticking with. Conditions will also be fine for Idefix De Ciergues, who found only one too good when on a hat-trick at Cheltenham, finishing just ahead of What A Johnny. The Long Walk was all too much for Shoot First, but he handled testing ground well when springing a surprise at Haydock. Red Dirt Road has to be considered too.
Prediction : 1st Henri The Second 2nd Idefix De Ciergues 3rd Shoot First

In d'Or is bound to be popular having scored comfortably on his first two starts over fences, but an 8lb rise for his most recent success at Sandown could prove hefty. Preference, instead is for O'CONNELL, who is proven on the ground and continues to go from strength to strength after an easy victory over further at Market Rasen last time out, for which he has been raised 9lb. His proven stamina may be enough to see off the likes of Dreaming Blue, as well as narrow Aintree second Gustavian, who deserves a change in luck having not won since February 2023.
Prediction : 1st OConnell 2nd In dOr 3rd Gustavian

Runner-up to a talented sort at Chepstow who has gone in again since, the well-related A PAI DE NOM shaped with plenty of promise on that occasion and the five-year-old can go one better now. A determined winner on debut over C&D in November, Hurricane Pat will have it tougher under a 4lb penalty, while Mondoui'boy looks the pick of the newcomers being related to Saint Calvados.
Prediction : 1st A Pai De Nom 2nd Hurricane Pat 3rd Mondouiboy