Festive Cheer in the Tingle Creek Chase
Saturday Racing Analysis
The Tingle Creek Chase is the most anticipated race on the Saturday card at Sandown and the highlight of this week’s racing. Ten runners and riders line will attempt to bag the early Grade 1 win that this race offers. As we prepare to descend into the festive period it could help boost chances in other races throughout the calendar.
Can Challengers Dodge a Bullet?
Dependable on the racing circuit last year, Dodging Bullets defeated all that others could throw at him in 2013. Now the six-year-old gelding will be looking to hand Paul Nicholls his first win in the race since Master Minded in 2010. A double winner at Kempton last year in the hands of Daryl Jacobs he also went on to take the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial at Cheltenham by five lengths. The good to soft ground on the chase circuit should be to his liking with heavier ground also not a problem if the weather turns.
In the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies this afternoon, the go to jockey of Paul Nicholls, he has stable companion Hinterland to keep him around the Sandown course and will be hoping the recent rise in his form at Cheltenham can provide him with a welcome boost.
Priced at 8/1 Dodging Bullets is worth a punt this afternoon
Paul Nicholls
An imposing figure on the jumps course for many years, Paul Nicholls has turned to the services of Sam Twiston-Davies since parting company with Ruby (Snowy) Walsh, however the Irish legend did partner Al Ferof to victory in the Amlin Chase for Nicholls at Ascot last month.
Failing to pick up a win at Newbury, his victories for Irving in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and Silviniaco Conti at Haydock in the Betfair Chase still show he has the class and stature in his stable to pick up the Grade 1 wins. Having dominated the Tingle Creek Chase in the past with winners including Kauto Star, Twist Magic and Master Minded, he will be looking for one of his duo to provide a boost for the festive period.
Today’s free horse racing tip:
Samstown Sandown 15:50
There is another step up in trip for Alistair Williams trained Samstown in the London National Handicap Chase this afternoon as he tries to pick up a hat-trick of wins for the season. Passing the post first at Kelso less than a month ago, his season started nicely with a massive 19 lengths victory at Ayr back in April.
Running on good to soft ground in the three mile five furlong handicap chase this afternoon should be to his liking. However he might not have it all his own way, likely challengers could come in the form of Paul Nicholls trained There’s No Panic and Venetian Williams trained Emperor’s Choice but if his past winning margins are anything to go by he should have the stamina to cope with the distance.
Samstown is worth backing at 9/2 as he is one of only two horses in the field to have a win on their last outing.