A very competitive race where it's hard to rule very much out to be honest.

 

Dangers abound, Flemcara will come on for seasonal debut but on balance of form possibly not quite good enough, Storm Arising for the Nicholls yard is a clear danger but I don't think market value as you'd have to back really to win and it's a tough race to call. 

 

There are then four who bring untapped potential and a bit of a mystery in respect of stamina and handicap marks but massive dangers all. Espion is upped in trip for the Hobbs yard would seem to be OK in the Going but question is can it get up the hill, if it can, it would be the biggest danger of those with untapped potential. Farrants Way will get the trip on runs so far and the Going will be OK, won for Venetia first time up, just a case of where the handicapper has pitched it, same applies to Illegal Model for the Longsdon yard although I note that the race it was placed in at Uttoxter has seen both the horse who beat it "Pulled Up" next time, so it may not be the strongest form. Portrush Ted has won ir been runner up in every race it's finished with a Fall/PU blotting that profile a bit.

 

The pair for me though are more exposed. POTTERS HEDGER stays all day, likes the Going, needed seasonal debut where it gave Storm Arising a good race and gets a nice pull for that. I think this one will relish conditions and it will require one of those with potential to realise that potential to lower this ones colours. Looks good each way value for that reason to me.

 

I'm also keen to have a small wager on DREAM BERRY who was runner up in this race last year in similar conditions. It's a unique track is Sandown and that climb takes some getting runs off a very similar mark, has had 2 quiet runs to get fit and would be no surprise to see the famous silks appear out of the gloom strong and late near the finish.

 

 

In the Novice Chase at 1.50 I will side with the Hobbs / Johnson combination with one we tipped last time in FLINCK. They tried 3 miles over hurdles before coming Chasing, I think they now realise this is the optimum trip currently and the horse with a P2P background has always looked a nice Chaser in the making. Have a Tracker bet today and one to definitely follow, could make up in to a very nice Handicapper over fences.