Latest Sandown horse racing betting tips: Expert reveals who to back in three of Saturday's biggest races
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Nicky Henderson looks to have another outstanding chance of winning the Scilly Isles’ Novices’ Chase with Terrefort.
The five-year-old was very impressive when winning for the first time on these shores at Huntingdon last time and for all that this is a big step up in class, the Seven Barrows handler isn’t one to tilt at windmills.
The Heroes Handicap Hurdle at 15:00 looks competitive enough but 4/1 favourite Melrose Boy has obvious claims, winning a Class 4 hurdle last time by 50 lengths. He’s been well-backed on all his starts and is clearly highly thought of although I wonder if he’s better suited to heavier ground than he’ll get on Saturday.
Paul Nicholls has enjoyed success in this race in recent years and his Topofthegame is worth a second look stepping up in trip but I’d be concerned about the amount of weight he has to lump here in a big field.
The one that catches the eye at a big price is Okotoks for last year’s winning trainer, Fergal O’Brien.
His first run for the yard last month since leaving Tony Martin in Ireland wasn’t anything to write home about.
But he was well found in the market that day and subsequently drifted in the betting towards the start of the race suggesting something may have been amiss.
He was unfortunate not to finish third in the Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle earlier in his career and at 20/1 it’s worth chancing that O’Brien can squeeze some more improvement out of him.
In addition, he gets the services of Sean Bowen in the saddle who is yet to finish out of the money in two rides for the yard.
Lucy Wadham and Venetia Williams have accounted for the last four winners of the Masters Handicap Chase at 15:35 and Yala Enki can make it back-to- back victories on Saturday for Williams in the race at 8/1.
Don’t forget, Betfair are offering a free bet to the same stake (max £25) with every winner you back at SP 3/1 or bigger on all live ITV races.
He’s acquitted himself well in Listed and Graded company so far this campaign and now finds himself back on his last winning mark at a track he’s gone well at in the past – he finished third in the aforementioned Heroes Handicap Hurdle in 2015.
6/1 market leader Final Nudge will likely go well dropped in distance but I have concerns about how much the Welsh National will have taken out of him given the awful conditions that day.
Cheltenham Ante Post View – Arkle Chase
Currently the 6/4 favourite for the Arkle, Footpad will look to cement his claims this weekend at Leopardstown as he faces off with old rival Petit Mouchoir, who is currently 7/1 for the Cheltenham prize.
Fourth in last year’s Champion Hurdle, Footpad has begun his chasing career with aplomb, winning both his starts by 11 lengths, the most recent being the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase on Boxing Day.
Victory on Saturday will no doubt see his Arkle price contract further and while there’s some talk of him perhaps being re-routed to the JLT due to the same owners having current second favourite Sceau Royal 5/1 also entered, it seems likely that they’ll both line up in March.
At a bigger price, Dan Skelton’s North Hill Harvey has already won twice over fences at Prestbury Park this season and while he was put firmly in his place at Sandown by Sceau Royal, the 16/1 currently on offer makes plenty of each-way appeal.