2:27 Sandown Tips

Mondo Man failed to win a handicap gamble earlier in the season through inexperience and clumsy jumping, but he broke his duck at Plumpton last time. He should have too much speed at the finish here, provided he jumps better and gets a clear run through up the home straight.

Since moving from France to the Skelton yard, Brace For Landing has raced three times and each time finished in the top five. The latest of these was over today's course and distance in early January. He was beaten by less than six lengths, with the next horse a further fifteen lengths away. The Skeltons won this back in 2021 with Langer Dan. In last year's race the Skelton horse, Knickerbockerglory, finished fifth, and the previous year their horse finished second, beaten by a nose. It appears this race could be one that the yard does target. Hopefully, Brace For Landing will obtain another high finishing place for the yard from a one-pound lower mark than his last race.

Rubber Ball returned to form with a win last time out at Newbury. The stable are absolutely flying, and he looks well handicapped here.

Given his form this season, the current price of Wreckless Eric doesn't seem particularly generous. However, on last season's form he is one to keep an eye on. He finished a narrow second in this race last season and is better off this time around. He flew up the Sandown hill that day, and hopefully he can go one better this time.

Has built up a decent-looking profile, steadily progressive so far, and has plenty of potential to be better than this mark. If he can handle the pace of this, he’s got proven form over further, so long as his stamina can come into play. He’s been free-going, so he could have the cruising speed to stay in touch. The stiff finish at Sandown can often play into the hands of one that will stay. The race doesn’t look to have bundles of pace either. He notably recorded a finishing speed of 112% over 2m4f at Windsor, indicating he has a good gear change in him. His prior run over that trip was 110%, and, interestingly, over his mile win he finished at around a 105% finishing speed, indicating he might not bottom out over a shorter trip.

Won the last 2 renewals of this race and is 3 out of 3 over course and distance. Pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on heavy ground last time out and has had a recent wind operation to suggest something was wrong that day. Hard to ignore such a good record here and looks at the very least each way appeal.

I think course form here is as important as anywhere. This horse's two runs here resulted in a placed effort in December off 120 and a 3rd of 17 off 122 in this race last year as a 6yo. He races here off 121, and the trainer's conditional rider takes off 5 lb, which could be crucial since he rode a pleasing prep race when 2nd on this horse last time out, which was the first time he had ridden him. The 14/1 looks a terrific each-way price.

Decent each-way bet for six places. He has his second run after a wind op and is expected to run well in this after having his prep run last time ??' his first for three months, finishing runner-up. A strong pace will suit.

Ive had to have a stab at fingle Bridge at double figure odds here. Even though his last run over hurdles was an okay run in defeat, i think the 2m 5f on heavy ground was a bit too much for his first run back over hurdles. He was undefeated over hurdles last season under Sean bowen and he landed a nice listed Novices hurdle beating Regent's stroll who was well fancied that day. Gavin sheehan retains the ride and the drop in trip tomorrow would be more likely to suit.

General Blair, progressive 7yo, has gone from the front to win in both his latest starts. In a big field like this, being at the front end is always a safer bet. From what he has shown, he looks sure to rate higher than his current mark in the future. It's a tough race, but he goes there with a winning chance. 2m looks the perfect trip and the ground will suit. He's going to be trying hard, and whilst any horse in a race of this nature will need things to go its way, 16/1 or bigger offers some fair EW value.

No Ordinary Joe faded last time out at Ascot over three furlongs further, and this drop back in trip looks ideal. Very well handicapped on old form.

Has run well of late and won a Grade Two at Ascot last time. Has struggled in the past but appears in form and has ability. Stable going well. Has each-way chance with six places.

Has improved no end since switching from the Twiston-Davies' despite unseating on debut for new yard. Has since finished 221 in three starts at Musselburgh and though that is a flat track did win at Exeter in a bumper for previous yard so should handle this stiffer track especially as ground conditions looks perfect. Has twice finished in front of Afadil who was third in this race last year and that gives him a form line into his chances in this race. Won cosily last time out in the very competitive Scottish County Hurdle and that could be form to follow as the third that day has since finished a close third in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso and the 9th placed horse had won subsequently too. Looks way overpriced to me despite stepping up in grade and deserves 7lb hike for last win as looks on the upgrade. Worth a poke at this and could well surprise a few here at a nice price.

An outsider who can run well at a price is Gooloogong. Raised 10 lb for an easy 12-length win last time out, he still looks unexposed. His jockey is on a near 30% win rate over the last 14 days. He gets in here on a nice weight and can outrun his odds and some of his more fancied rivals, with up to 6 places on offer.

Messerschmitt has form in a valuable, big-field handicap hurdle with a third placing at Galway in August, keeping on. Both his wins, on the flat and over hurdles, have been on a soft surface. The horse has scored at 16.5 furlongs and recorded a career best over 17 furlongs, so should be running on at the finish of this two-mile race. Messerschmitt returns from a break, having produced his best performance in these circumstances.

Nardaran won a handicap hurdle over course and distance in November but followed that with two below-par runs over hurdles. The horse took part in the Southwell novice won by Constitution Hill and acquitted himself reasonably well, making some late headway. A big improver in the autumn, he could bounce back to form for his powerful stable.

Spirits Bay is interesting at a big price. The less well-supported of two Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained entries, Spirits Bay has shown a lot of ability in the past. The third place behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham last January stands out well. Beaten less than five lengths when seventh in this race last year and running off a pound lower now. Hasn't taken to chasing and, though decently supported in the market, was disappointing back over hurdles at Taunton last time. Eight-year-old by Black Sam Bellamy could easily have a big race like this in him.