Sandown have been hit with plenty of rain this week, but their Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase day has been given the green light and there’s a stunning seven-race card taking place at the Esher track on Saturday 31 January.
The Tote Placepot is sure to prove popular with punters during the afternoon and we focus on the first six races of the meeting and pick out our Tote Placepot selections for what should be a terrific afternoon of National Hunt racing.
Leg 1: 12.20pm Sandown – Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle
Leg 1 Selections: (5) Ionian
Well fancied for a maiden hurdle at Kempton Park on King George VI Chase day on Boxing Day, Ionian could only finish sixth, but Nicky Henderson’s charge is back on the track in the opening race at Sandown and is intriguing in the 12.20pm contest. He is sure to come on leaps and bounds for that first run under Rules for the Seven Barrows team, and whilst market support will be a huge positive he’s one that could improve significantly and can land this curtain-raiser.
Leg 2: 12.55pm Sandown – Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Handicap Hurdle
Leg 2 Selections: (1) Precious Metal
A host of improving types will line up in the 12.55pm contest and Bollin Thou has looked a smart prospect for fledgling trainer Nick Scholfield. However, that runner can come unstuck against Precious Metal, who lines up for Venetia Williams and Gavin Sheehan. A listed bumper winner at Cheltenham last January, the five-year-old returned to winning ways at Lingfield last month, and that confidence-boosting win can see him improve again. He will have to give weight to all his rivals in this contest, but he is one that should relish the going at Sandown and can continue on an upward curve.
Leg 3: 1.25pm Sandown – Virgin Bet A Good Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Leg 3 Selections: (7) Rip Wheeler
Mon Champion was a good winner last time out, but will have a 7lbs penalty to carry in the 1.25pm, so looks up against it. The one to side with is Gary & Josh Moore’s Rip Wheeler, who recorded wins at Huntingdon and Lingfield back in November, but failed to land the hat-trick at Wincanton on his last outing. Hampered through the early stages of that contest, he was never really going, so you can’t discount that run and he can bounce back here. He remains on a mark of 106 and off bottom weight can land the money for connections.
Leg 4: 2.02pm Sandown – Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase
Leg 4 Selections: (4) Jax Junior
Hugely impressive when beating Jeriko Du Reponet by 12 lengths in a Kempton beginners chase two outings ago, Lucy Wadham’s Jax Junior failed to build on that in Grade 2 company last time out at Ascot. Fourth behind Steel Ally in the Noel Novices’ Chase, Jax Junior will switch into calmer waters on Saturday afternoon at 2.02pm and looks to have a chance of landing this competitive-looking handicap chase. The seven-year-old will line up off a mark of 139 here, which certainly looks fair, if he can replicate that Kempton run. He may lack the experience of some rivals here, but he does have the potential to improve again and looks a solid bet to place.
Leg 5: 2.40pm Sandown – Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase
Leg 5 Selections: (1) Kitzbuhel
Imperious when routing a Grade 1 field in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Kitzbuhel is well fancied to claim more top-class glory on Saturday as he can land victory in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at 2.40pm. Only three rivals taking him on with Kala Conti looking the biggest danger, but if the Willie Mullins-trained raider can emulate his fine jumping display at the end of December then he should be able to dominate from the flag fall and cement his place as one of the leading novice chasers at Closutton.
Leg 6: 3.10pm Sandown – Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle
Leg 6 Selections: (9) Party Vibes
Henry Daly’s Party Vibes was last seen claiming victory over fences at Cheltenham back in December off a mark of 122 and she lines up in the 3.10pm over hurdles off a mark of 119. She’s already shown she’s in excellent form with a win at Prestbury Park, so if she can just replicate that display over the smaller obstacles then she must stand a huge chance in a wide open 3.10pm contest. Plenty have a chance in the event, with Henri The Second and last year’s Red Dirt Road sure to be thereabouts, but Party Vibes looks a really solid pick in the final leg of the Tote Placepot.
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