The seven race card from Sandown is our focus today. A mixed going report with the ground reported as Soft (Heavy in places) on the chase course and Heavy (Soft on back straight) for the hurdlers. Fascinating day and we are looking at the opening two races.

12.40 Sandown Betfred “Home Of Goals Galore” Novices´ Hurdle (CLASS 3)

Coeur De Lion has course & distance form and is preferred over Rather Be. The latter giving a stone to his younger rival.

I go:

Coeur De Lion 5/4

Rather Be 7/4

12/1 bar

A few of the books have Rather Be as their current favourite. It will be interesting to see how the market develops.

 

1.15 Sandown Betfred “Treble Odds On Lucky 15´s” Handicap Chase (CLASS 2)

Just  the seven declared but this is a wide open handicap. My preferred two are Bright New Dawn and Grey Gold.

Bright New Dawn was noted when finishing behind Bold Henry over C&D last month.

That was his first start for current stable who paid £56,000 for him at Goff’s September sales last year. Venetia Williams has saddled the winner of this race for the past two years.

The softer the ground the better for the veteran 12y.o. Grey Gold, who looks sure to figure at the finish.

I go 4/1 the field on my private tissue.

I am close to finalising plans for my annual Cheltenham Festival preview which raises funds for the Lambourn stable staff. You can keep in touch with this and all my work via the new app. Download  at:  stevelewishamilton.appsme.com