THURSDAY RACING TIPS

13:45 Sandown

A selection that may initially look a little left-field however Torpillo was entitled to need the run at Cheltenham in December, his first outing in nineteen months, and with that under his belt he looks to be well-treated here given he races off 133 having won off 145 on chase debut. He is re-united with jockey Sam Twiston-Davies who was in the saddle for that last victory, is a two time course winner over hurdles and all career victories have come in testing conditions.

The obvious danger is Douglas Talking who was an impressive winner on chase debut at Musselburgh earlier in the month, beating a decent yardstick in Broadway Joe, however that came over a trip half a mile further than he encounters today, he carries a 7lbs penalty for that success and his victories to date have all come on better ground.

Somekindofstar won well last time out, is unexposed over this trip and has only gone up 3lbs for that success so ought to remain competitive, while Desque De L’Isle has the trip and conditions to suit and arrives here for a trainer and jockey going great guns so will likely run a solid enough race, although was well held in fourth last time out and has only been dropped 1lbs.

TORPILLO (WIN)

14:20 Sandown

A race where it is difficult to get away from the likely favourite Love Envoi in her bid to make it four from four over hurdles. The Harry Fry trained six year old beat the previously unbeaten Nurse Susan in impressive fashion at Lingfield last month and the step back up in trip is seen as a positive rather than a hinderance given she has already won twice over intermediate trips. Ground conditions are also in her favour so she gets the nod to continue her winning ways.

Less than a length separated Haute Estime and Nina The Terrier when they met at Haydock in December and given both third and fourth from that race won next time out the form holds up well. As such the pair look to be the most likely to put up a challenge to our selection, with the latter preferred for forecast purposes given the revised weights and ratings.

LOVE ENVOI (WIN) written by Dean Kilbryde