Sandown Saturday Preview

The first horse of the day at Sandown comes in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and we have gone for The Knot Is Tied in this Class 3 contest.

This Neil King trained four year old was good horse on the flat and has now made a pleasing start over hurdles finishing third on his debut and then second on his other two starts.

This four year old loves the mud and loves the rain and with conditions to suit tomorrow will not be far away. He is yet to get off the mark but if improving from his other runs it has come some time soon.

The next race of the day is the Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle Final over 2 miles 3 1/2 furlongs and we have gone for the Nicky Henderson trained Before Midnight.

This six year old from the Seven Barrows yard looks to have great chance as he is a massive potential improver since turning to handicap for this yard.

His last performance at Taunton was really eye-catching beating a fair field in a Class 4 and although he will need to step up for that run he has a definite frame shout.

The feature race of the day comes next as the Grade 3 Imperial Cup see's many interesting runners take to post but we have gone for the Kim Bailey trained First Flow to land this 2 mile contest.

This seven year old is having his first run since being pulled up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle nearly a year to the day and last year before that run he was in great form.

He went on to land four races in a row, including a Grade 2 at Haydock. If repeating this form and not needing the run he will not be far away, but must be back to his best.

Another top race on the day at Sandown is the Listed Mares Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race over 2 miles and we have gone for the favourite Silver Forever.

This five year old for the inform Paul Nicholls looks to have a great chance today after beating some rivals in this race last time out and took his tally to three wins in four races.

Before his win at Ascot he finished a good third at Cheltenham in another Listed bumper and showed he can handle himself at the top level in this divisions, one to watch.

The Class 3 Handicap Chase over three miles is next on the agenda and in this contest our selection is the exciting seven year Commodore who looks to be nice in the weights.

This Venetia Williams trained gelding looks to be the stand out pick in this contest at what looks a nice price. He has only ran once this season and he got off the mark in style at Warwick over the sam trip as today.

He won't mind the ground to have some cut in it with going reading soft with more rain expected. This trainer has been waiting for conditions like this for her horses and now she has it just before the festival.

The Class 3 Handicap chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs is the penultimate race of the day and that see's us pick another Venetia Williams trained gelding in Enola Gay.

This six year old has been running on good and good to soft ground for most of the season but now getting soft should bring out the best in him.

Gavin Sheehan is booked to ride which is a very attractive jockey booking and although not winning for some time now he looks to have a great chance in a weak field.

The final race of the day at Sandown see's the Class 3 Handicap Chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs and we have gone with the Kayley Woollacott trained The King's Writ.

This eight year old has been in hit and miss form this season but his latest fourth at Cheltenham showed a lot of ability and scope to improve in this smaller field.

Before that run he went on to win a Class 3 contest at Exeter over a furlong shorter and has to be the one to beat in this contest.