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15:00 Sandown – Tingle Creek Potentially one of the biggest and most prestigious Grade 1 races of the season so far this two mile chase is often seen as a precursor for the Champion Chase (Formerly knows as The Queen Mother) at the Cheltenham Festival in March. We’ve had some illustrious winners in the past and in recent years Altior has dominated. For that reason alone it’ll be nice to see a new name on the trophy as Henderson’s charge is set to tackle longer trips this term with the King George the main aim for the end of 2019. Defi Du Seuil and Politilogue are set to renew their rivalry once again after a good clash at Cheltenham last time out. All things point towards it being a closer affair this time around with Defi Du Seuil no longer claiming a 3lb weight allowance and with Politilogue likely to strip fitter for his seasonal reappearance. I imagine both are likely to improve but it’d be foolish to think this was just a two horse race. Former race winner and somewhat of a living legend Un De Sceaux can’t be readily dismissed despite him being something of an old man of the game. At the ripe old age of 12 it’s safe to say he probably won’t be at his very best but a 4 length demolition of Min when last seen on the racecourse was enough to put punters in their place who thought he was over the hill and finished. Disregard him at your peril because if the Irish raider is anything like his best he’s going to give his younger rivals something to think about. Course and distance winner Sceau Royal has enough in the locker to play a part in this and can’t be dismissed too readily but perhaps lacks the class to finish with his head in front at the top level. One horse that had the world at his feet not so long ago was Waiting Patiently. Seen by many as a likely Gold Cup successor who could dominate major chases for years to come however came unstuck last term and hasn’t been the same horse since falling. Another runner who, if back to his best, should be able to get his nose near the front come the finish line. He has enough class to go close but he needs to shake off his form from last year to convince punters. With eight set to go to post it looks worthwhile trying to find each way value and I’m hoping Nicky Henderson has discovered Altior’s predecessor in the form of Janika. Now it’d be silly to even suggest that he’s shown anywhere near the form that most of his competitors have but at the age of 6 he has bags of potential. He won a decent looking Grade 2 event when last seen at Exeter and it he continues on his upward trajectory could grab a place for a yard who know what it takes to go well in this prestigious contest. JANIKA (E/W)
ITV RACING: 13:30 Aintree – Ballydine (E/W) & Definitely Red (E/W) 13:50 Sandown – Torpillo (WIN) 14:05 Aintree – Break The Rules (WIN) 14:25 Sandown – Malaya (E/W) 14:40 Aintree – Might Bite (WIN) 15:00 Sandown – (See Above) 15:15 Aintree – Kayf Adventure (E/W) & Federici (E/W) 15:35 Sandown – Royal Vacation (E/W) & Doing Fine (E/W)