UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

KIENTZHEIM's latest effort at Southwell was disappointing on the face of it, with the mare only able to finish fourth after some less than fluent jumping. However, that run was needed to qualify her for this valuable prize and a mark of 120 doesn't appear to be unduly harsh. Wolf Moon caught the eye behind the highly-touted Palladium at Huntingdon before winning both subsequent outings, at Southwell and back at Huntingdon. He has to enter the reckoning along with St Pancras and Marche D'aligre.
Prediction : 1st Kientzheim 2nd Wolf Moon 3rd St Pancras

RISKINTHEGROUND is 12lb higher than a brace of victories in a pair of valuable contests at Ayr and Cheltenham. The eight-year-old has been a huge assistance for his trainer's effort to land his first title and has the opportunity to land one more blow. Eyed continues to progress nicely over fences and an aggressive ride dropped in trip would give him every chance. Bad didn't seem to relish the Aintree fences in the Topham and the return to a right-handed track may well be in his favour.
Prediction : 1st Riskintheground 2nd Eyed 3rd Bad

GAELIC WARRIOR bounced right back to his very best in the Bowl at Aintree when proving too strong for Grey Dawning under a fine ride from Patrick Mullins. The demands of Sandown can really play to his strengths and he leads a formidable team for Willie Mullins. Gentleman De Mee produced a classy display to land the Topham, despite his jumping not being particularly fluent, although his stable companion Appreciate It may pose a stronger threat after being brought down in the Grand National when just beginning to creep into contention. Pic D'Orhy missed Aintree for a contest that appears tailor-made for him, but Dan Skelton's sole runner Boombawn has something to find, even after a career best at Aintree.
Prediction : 1st Gaelic Warrior 2nd Appreciate It 3rd Pic DOrhy

Kitzbuhel is likely to have his supporters but considering he was sent off favourite in Grade 1 company at the Grand National meeting, it was an underwhelming performance to only finish fifth. Willie Mullins will be hoping the first-time hood ekes out more from his five-year-old, but LUCKY PLACE looks the way to go. Nicky Henderson's gelding is a dual Grade 2 winner and may not have appreciated the step up in trip when only seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle. Take No Chances has acquitted herself well behind Lossiemouth the last twice and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Place 2nd Kitzbuhel 3rd Take No Chances

JONBON is bidding for a third straight Celebration Chase and may have an easier task this time around, as he faced a 175-rated El Fabiolo in last year's renewal. The 10-time Grade 1 winner made a costly mistake in the Champion Chase before putting that well behind him to retain his crown in the Melling Chase at Aintree. He is tough to oppose, with his main threat possibly Il Etait Temps, who has struck at the top level in three of his last four starts but arrives on the back of a year-long absence. Of the remainder, Unexpected Party makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Jonbon 2nd Il Etait Temps 3rd Unexpected Party

Willie Mullins seems to be throwing everything at this in his bid to retain his title and the classy DANCING CITY could be the one to get him over the line. A three-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles last year, the eight-year-old still looked to be going well when falling at Aintree and going up in trip looks like a plus when it comes to his jumping. Touched off in a Grade 3 at Thurles in March, High Class Hero is another with the potential for improvement over further, while Grangeclare West arrives on the back of a cracking third in the Grand National. A winner on his last two Sandown starts over 3m, Hoe Joly Smoke seems the best of the British, along with Resplendent Grey and Transmission.
Prediction : 1st Dancing City 2nd High Class Hero 3rd Grangeclare West

If Dan Skelton is still within touching distance of the trainers' title by the finale, he may have one more ace in the pack in MOSTLY SUNNY. An impressive winner at Plumpton on Monday, the six-year-old is turned out again quickly under a 6lb penalty, which may not be enough to prevent the double. Willie Mullins' Bunting hasn't shown much this season, but he hinted at a return to form with a respectable effort in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, while his stablemate Dr Eggman makes his handicap debut on the back of a creditable second at Cheltenham. Got Grey (Skelton) and Jump Allen (Mullins) are entitled to be thereabouts as well.
Prediction : 1st Mostly Sunny 2nd Bunting 3rd Dr Eggman