Tingle Creek Guide

1. Defi Du Seuil

Trainer - Philip Hobbs

Jockey - Barry Geraghty

This weekend Defi Du Seuil is back at Sandown seeking another Grade One victory to add to his illustrious career and he has a huge chance in what will be one of the toughest races of his season.

The Tingle Creek on Saturday currently still holds eight runners for a fantastic Grade One contest on Saturday and over this sharp 1 mile 7 1/2 furlong contest it is all about speed.

The Philip Hobbs trained runner will be renewing his rivalry with Politologue, who he beat last time out at Cheltenham on their seasonal debuts and that looks the best form on offer.

He is a multiple Grade One winner that will handle the conditions and has shown previously that he also handles the shorter trip but will have to better than his seasonal debut.

2. Dolos

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Harry Skelton

The first of Paul Nicholls two runners in the contest is Dolos with a surprise jockey booking of Harry Skelton which looks very interesting.

The course and distance winner has made a decent start to the season winning a nice handicap chase at Kempton before finishing second behind Janika at Exeter.

He will need to reverse that form but it looks very unlikely with Henderson's horse giving away weight that day and still being better, now they are off the same weights.

3. Janika

Trainer - Nicky Henderson

Jockey - Janika

Janika looks to be a highly progressive horse this year that last season was one of the hard luck stories of the term finishing second off big weights in some big races.

In the Brown Advisory Handicap at the Cheltenham festival he was a narrow second to Siruh Du Lac giving over a stone away to the winner in what was a narrow defeat.

His yard are very positive about what he can do this season and off the back of his seasonal debut at Exeter when winning the Grade Two Haldon Cup he has big each way claims.

4. Ornua

Trainer - Henry De Bromhead

Jockey - Aidan Coleman

One of two Irish raiders making the journey across the pond for this Grade One is Ornua and this eight year old is a smart performer that may just find some to good here.

He has ran well in defeat for most of his career last season finishing a close second to Dynamite Dollars at Sandown in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices Chase.

This season he made his seasonal debut at Navan being well beaten in second behind the exciting Cilaos Emery for Willie Mullins and he will need more to go close in this.

5. Politologue

Trainer - Paul Nicholls

Jockey - Harry Cobden

One of the main contenders on the day is Politologue for Paul Nicholls and this grey gelding has been a superstar for the yard where he is looking to land the contest for a second time after taking the Grade One back in 2017.

The John Hales owned horse will need to be right at it to win the contest again going up against his nemesis trained by Philip Hobbs and will need to reverse the form of there latest outing at Cheltenham's November meeting.

6. Sceau Royal

Trainer - Alan King

Jockey - Daryl Jacob

Sceau Royal again is another familiar face in this sort of race never been able to get the better of Altior over two miles but now without the superstar has a big chance on his seasonal debut.

The seven year old is known for going well fresh landing the Shloer Chase last season first time out and now starting his campaign in this one at a track he enjoys he is certainly in the mix.

7. Un De Sceaux

Trainer - Willie Mullins

Jockey - Paul Townend

The veteran that is sure to make the running and a previous winner of this race is Un De Sceaux who is now 11 years of age but don't let that put you off as he is said to be still flying at home.

He has won multiple Grade Ones throughout his career including two at the Cheltenham festival and also landing this contest back in 2016.

He has won plenty of times on his seasonal bow and makes the trip over from Ireland again which has to be respected.

8. Waiting Patiently

Trainer - Ruth Jefferson

Jockey - Brian Hughes

Waiting Patiently has been a very unlucky horse since seeing of a host off runners including the amazing Cue Card in the 2018 Ascot Chase having had setback after setback and never being able to recreate that form.

Last season in the King George VI Chase, which was his first run of the season, he was going well before being brought down by Bristol De Mai and unseated his rider Brian Hughes.

He went in search of defending his title at Ascot in February but was a long way behind the winner Cyrname for Paul Nicholls before he finished his season in the Melling Chase at the Grand National meeting finishing third behind eventual winner Min.

He drops down to, two miles to try and rejuvenate his career and the more rain that falls the better for this horse.