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Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Sandown Tips

SATURDAY RACING TIPS

Sandown 1.50 – Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase

Eyed (5/1) can continue a good season here.

He ran well up at Ayr two weeks ago, he’s consistent and he’ll like the ground. He’s only gone up 2lbs for that good run at Ayr and I still think a mark of 125 is workable.

He’s only finished outside of the first two once since joining the Hughie Morrison stable and that was when he fell at the first.

I expect him to be in the frame again.

Megan’s Tips: Eyed WIN

Sandown 2.25 – Oaksey Chase

I think Pic D’orhy (9/4) will take the beating in this.

This has been the aim for a while having missed Aintree and he’ll love this ground. If he gets into a rhythm on the front end I expect he’ll be very hard to pass.

He’s a really good horse on his day and we know he goes well fresh, so the fact we haven’t seen him since he won the Ascot Chase in February isn’t a concern.

Gaelic Warrior (11/8 fav) was back to his best at Aintree but I’m not sure he wants the ground this quick and I wonder if Pic D’orhy might just have a bit too much pace for him over this trip on this good ground.

Megan’s Tip: Pic D’orhy WIN

Sandown 3.00 – Select Hurdle

This is a very trappy race.

I’ve come down on Lucky Place (9/4) and am hoping he can bounce back. He’ll love this ground and he should be much happier over this immediate trip as he looked a non-stayer in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Good ground looks key to him and that’s the same case with Blueking D’oroux (15/2). He’s a strong traveller and he just didn’t fire at Fontwell last time but, if he can bounce back and put in what we know he can do, then he’s definitely got a chance.

I’d have it between those two here.

Megan’s Tip: Lucky Place WIN; Blueking D’oroux EW

Sandown 3.35 – Celebration Chase

It’s hard to get away from Jonbon (1/2) in the Celebration Chase.

He was pretty devastating at Aintree and we know he probably goes best at Sandown so he’s going to be hard to beat.

For whatever reason, he gets no luck at Cheltenham and I’m not sure he enjoys it as much there as he does at other tracks.

Mark Walsh takes the ride with Nico de Boinville injured and I expect him to get the class act of the race home in front.

Megan’s Tip: Jonbon WIN

Sandown 4.10 – Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

BetMGM are paying five places on this race and Willie Mullins has a really strong hand.

Of his, the one I like is Dancing City (11/2) who fell at Aintree.

He was jumping right there so returning to this right-handed track will help him and I wonder if he might actually appreciate the better ground here.

He beat High Class Hero Hero (7/2 fav) at Punchestown over hurdles last season and I can see that happening again.

It didn’t really happen for him at Cheltenham but he did travel well for a long way and I just thought that, up in trip, everything will happen a bit slower and that might just help him.

Each way I’ll back Resplendent Grey (15/2), who has cheekpieces on for the first time.

The form of the National Hunt Chase has worked out really well with Haiti Couleurs winning the Irish National.

This horse stays really well and the application of cheekpieces could just sharpen him up a bit.

Megan’s Tip: Dancing City WIN; Resplendent Grey EW

Sandown 4.45 – Handicap Hurdle

Harry Cobden has already ridden some big winners for Willie Mullins and I can see that continuing in the last aboard Jump Allen (4/1 fav).

He was behind Quebecois at Ayr last time when trying three miles for the first time.

He travelled probably better than anything but just didn’t stay the trip, so dropping back to 2m 4f looks a good move.

For each-way backers, Got Grey (8/1) could be worth a second look. He was a good second to Givemefive at Haydock last time with the tongue tie back on.

He seemed to enjoy the good ground there and he’s effectively running off the same mark, so I thought he was a touch overpriced.

Megan’s Tip: Jump Allen WIN; Got Grey EW

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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