Sprinter Sacre misses Saturday’s Tingle Creek at Sandown and BetVictor make last year’s Arkle winner Un De Sceaux the 4/7 favourite to give trainer Willie Mullins a first success in the race. The 7-y-o ran out a spectacular winner of the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and, despite yet to race outside of novice company over fences, currently heads the market as the 11/10 favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown
Un De Sceaux 4/7
Vibrato Valtat 7/2
Simonsig 6/1
Sire De Grugy 10/1
20/1 Bar
Paul Nicholls’ Vibrato Valtat was a well backed second favourite behind Un De Sceaux at the Festival, finishing a disappointing fourth, but couldn’t have been more impressive at Exeter winning last month’s Haldon Gold Cup by four lengths under Sam Twiston-Davies. With his participation confirmed the strong travelling grey looks a big price at 7/2 to follow-up his win on the corresponding card last year and Team Ditcheat can taste success prior to that with All Set To Go (2.20) in the 2m Maiden Hurdle at Southwell.
The selection was rated 96 on the flat when trained by Andrew Oliver in Ireland and was narrowly beaten by subsequent Champion Stakes winner Fascinating Rock in a G3 contest last spring at Navan. He disappointed on his hurdles debut last October but should be much better than that and with the stable in much better form can make it second time lucky under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Sam partners Kilronan High for father Nigel in the Handicap Chase over two and a half miles with the mare potentially well-treated to make it third time lucky over fences from a career-low mark of 120. She is respected at the head of the weights however preference on this occasion lies with Bobble Boru (12.45) for Venetia Williams and Liam Treadwell. The selection made a winning reappearance last month at Ffos Las and can follow-up from a 4lb higher mark.
Caroline Bailey’s Crosspark (1.15) sprang something of an upset on his debut under rules last month over course and distance but is a winning pointer and can maintain his unbeaten record under a penalty in the 3m Novices’ Hurdle. Harry Skelton keeps the ride and the pair can give weight and a beating to Tom Lacey’s Singlefarmpayment who has the eye-catching booking of Richard Johnson in the plate.
David Pipe‘s Mozo (12.30) was somewhat unfancied for her debut in the spring but defied greenness to win a warm bumper at Uttoxeter and is a confident selection to make a winning debut over hurdles at Lingfield. Pond House has had something of a lean November by their standards but did score with Champions on Ice at Newbury on Friday, (16/1 with BetVictor for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle) and with the yard on the cusp of turning the corner she can score under Ton Scudamore.
A field of five go post for the 3m Novices’ Handicap Chase and Neil Mulholland’s Halo Moon (1.30) a likely favourite to make it third time lucky over fences. The selection joined the yard from John Butler in the autumn and after finishing second in a pair of handicap chases at the track over two and a half miles can score under regular partner Noel Fehily.
Atlantic Roller (2.00) was rated 130 for former handler Paul Nicholls and makes his debut for new trainer Chris Gordon in the feature Handicap Chase over two and a half miles. The well-bred Old Vic gelding hasn’t been seen since finishing second at Newton-Abbot in June but was backed like a good thing that day and should make amends under Tom Cannon.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com and follow @BetVictorRacing
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