Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Sandown & Aintree tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Sandown 1.50 – Henry VIII Novices' Chase
Lulamba (8/13 fav) should prove very hard to beat.
He’s the class act in this field and his chase debut win was boosted when Salver hacked up at Sandown on Friday.
I imagine Nico De Boinville will keep this very simple – I can’t see any reason he won’t win this well.
Megan’s Tip: Lulamba WIN
Sandown 2.25 – 2m Handicap Hurdle
I like Go Dante (11/2) in this handicap hurdle.
There’s already been support for him and I’m not surprised as he loves Sandown and loves soft ground, which is very likely given all the rain around.
You can ignore his first run as he always needs one start to find his feet, so I expect him to leave that way behind here and be very competitive.
**Megan’s Tip: Go Dante WIN **
Aintree 2.05 – Juvenile Hurdle
I’ve put Edelak (9/4) as one of my horses to follow and the rain that is likely to fall will be music to the ears of his connections.
He stayed really well on the Flat and, if he can translate some of the form he showed on the level over jumps, he could prove a very smart juvenile hurdler.
The testing conditions should just suit him more than Treasure Planet (13/8 fav) so that’s why I’m siding with him.
Megan’s Tip: Edelak WIN
Aintree 2.40 – Becher Handicap Chase
Gaboriot (6/1) is my fancy in the Becher.
This is a horse that loves the Grand National fences – it’s a case of more rain the better for him so the forecast will please his connections.
He was second in the Sefton last month, where he looked as if an extra couple of furlongs would suit. I’m excited to see him over this trip.
The selection never seems to run a bad race, so he is a very solid pick.
I’m also going to back Gavin Cromwell’s Bioluminescence (15/2).
She’s a lightly-raced and consistent mare who can’t have it soft enough. She ran nicely enough on her return in a Listed contest over a trip that was probably short of her best and she should come on from that here.
Cromwell’s charge needs to take to the bigger fences but, as a rule, she has jumped well in her chasing career so far.
Some of her form is the best on offer in this race and Cromwell’s runners are always worth a second look on British shores.
Megan’s Tip: Gaboriot EW; Bioluminescence EW
Sandown 3.00 – Tingle Creek Chase
I think Il Etait Temps (5/6 fav) is the right favourite for the Tingle Creek and expect him to win it.
I do think he and L'eau Du Sud (9/4) are pretty closely matched, but the way the race is likely to be run might just suit Willie Mullins’ runner more than Dan Skelton’s.
We know Il Etait Temps gets further than two miles so, if it does get quite testing at Sandown, I can see Paul Townend using that to his advantage and outstaying his rival.
Megan’s Tip: Il Etait Temps WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
