Sandown Saturday Preview - 27/04/19

The first horse of the card at Sandown sees the Class 2 Novices Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and we have gone for the Nicky Henderson trained Dream Du Grand Val.

This six year old gelding has put in his best performances on good ground and he will get conditions to suit on Saturday with the ground being exactly that come the race.

He won twice in a row in some decent Class 3 races and then when stepped up to Grade 3 company finishing mid-field of the pack but found some to good.

That was on soft ground and at a nice price back on the surface he likes, he as an each way shout certainly.

The next race of the day is the first of the Graded contests with the bet365 Oaksey Chase and we have gone with the Paul Nicholls trained Black Corton.

This horse is a fan favourite and back on board is the Conditional jockey of the season Bryony Frost with one of her first rides since getting injured at Southwell.

Black Corton has placed in his last three events and looks like he will do the same again on Saturday but if getting a nice lead and jumping well it would not be a surprise to see him take the glory.

The superstar Altior is up next in the Grade 1 Celebration Stakes. Unbeaten in 18 races over obstacles and the greatest jumps horse currently still in the sport, Altior should win this at a canter and break the record for the amount of successive wins in a row.

Henderson has said he is back to his best after not coming out of the Cheltenham festival to well and rounding of the season in this race is not new for the nine year old who is seeking his third win in this Grade 1.

It will be a huge shock if he is beaten and we hope he can carry on his amazing streak.

Two selections in this race and we have gone for Talkischeap and Give Me A Copper to be in the mix come the finish in the bet365 Gold Cup.

Starting with the Alan King trained Talkischeap and this horse has been subject to a gamble this week moving from 20/1 to 8/1 to land the contest.

This seven year old has been hit and miss of late but if running to his true potential going up in trip he will be very tough to beat.

The second horse we like is the Paul Nicholls trained Give Me A Copper who was heavily backed at the Cheltenham festival but didn't handle the soft ground and fell.

Now back on good ground he can get back to winning ways and show why there is so much hype around this horse.

The penultimate tip from Sandown see's the Grade 2 bet365 Select Hurdle and we have gone for the Paul Nicholls trained Old Guard.

This eight year old has ran consistently all season in some really tough races and will relish getting back on to good ground for his final run of the campaign.

He has plenty of seconds and thirds in Grade 2 and 3 races which should put him in good stead for this contest. Also missing the Cheltenham and Grand National festival in preparation for this looks good.

The final tip of the day from Sandown see's the Class 2 Handicap Chase over 2 1/2 miles and we have gone for the Ian Williams trained Royal Village.

This seven year old has only finished outside of the top three places in once of his last six races and they have all been across Class 2 and 3 races.

This reads well coming into this race with two starts ago he won nicely at Market Rasen and if converting this form with the Champion jockey on board he has every chance.