Top commentator Simon Holt has a super septet to get stuck into this Saturday - check out his opinions and best bets.
Racing betting tips: Saturday, February 6
1pt win Billingsley in 1.15 Sandown at 14/1
1pt win Dame De Compagnie in 1.50 Sandown at 5/1
1pt win Christopher Wood in 2.05 Musselburgh at 7/2
1pt win Saint Calvados in 2.20 Sandown at 11/2
1pt win Evander in 2.55 Sandown at 6/1
1pt win Kiltealy Briggs in 3.30 Sandown at 13/2
1pt win Le Breuil in 3.45 Musselburgh at 100/30
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
An all-chase card at Sandown on Saturday (which needs to pass an 8am inspection) would be a treat for ITV4 viewers and is highlighted by the Virgin Bet Cotswold Chase, a Gold Cup trial rescheduled from Cheltenham's abandoned meeting last weekend when SAINT CALVADOS would have been this column's selection.
Best in at the weights here on official ratings, Harry Whittington's talented eight-year-old needs to prove he stays three miles but ran very well for a long way on his reappearance in the King George at Kempton where he chased the winner Frodon up the home straight until weakening into fourth (Santini fifth) from approaching the last.
It is a matter of interpretation whether Saint Calvados ran out of steam because it was his first run of the season (in tough company) or that he didn't get home through lack of staying power, but I think he is worth another chance to prove himself a possible Gold Cup contender.
Cheltenham would have been more suitable as Gavin Sheehan's mount has an excellent record there (including a staying-on second in the Ryanair Chase last March) but the fact he gets 6lb from all bar Yala Enki and runs over a bare three miles instead of the slightly longer trip of last week's postponed race offers plenty of hope.
Santini and Bristol De Mai, who dominated this contest 12 months ago, take each other on again. Santini won here first time out over this course and distance last season but actually ran well below his best, and he was outpaced from some way out in the King George before staying on to finish just behind Saint Calvados.
Clearly, his second to Al Boum Photo in the Gold Cup last March must give him strong claims but a shortage of tactical pace is becoming apparent, and a longer trip on better ground would probably suit.
The admirable Bristol De Mai won his third Betfair Chase at Haydock in November and will have been freshened up since. On his best day, he would take plenty of beating though it's worth noting he has very little form going right handed.
Ideally, former Gold Cup winner Native River would also prefer going in an anti-clockwise direction, and it's hard to know what to make of his reappearance third behind the re-opposing Lake View Lad (6lb worse
off) and Santini in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree where many fences were omitted because of low sunlight.
Earlier, it might be worth taking a chance on the outsider BILLINGSLEY in the opening Virgin Bet Handicap Chase.
This front-running gelding is normally a very good jumper so it's been surprising that he has filed two non-completions so far this season.
However, with a clear round, this course could be made for him as it often rewards prominent racers, and Billingsley has always looked as though he would be best going right handed.
Last season, the selection was progressive when winning his last three chases, and the best performance was at right-handed Hereford where he beat Saint De Vassy and Arian who have both been successful this term.
Off just 10st3lb, this massive horse could take some pegging back.
The Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase looks very strong bringing together Shan Blue, unbeaten in three chases, the recent Dipper Chase winner Messire Des Obeaux as well as Hitman, runner-up to leading Arkle fancy Allmankind in the Henry V111 Novices' Chase here in December.
However, with Shan Blue dropping in distance and Hitman going up, Nicky Handerson's Coral Cup (2m5f) winner DAME DE COMPAGNIE looks a big threat having impressed with her jumping against sole rival Cornerstone Lad on her chasing debut at Ayr (2m).
In receipt of the generous mares allowance, the eight-year-old has a good chance at these weights over her ideal trip.
In the Virgin Bet Warriors Handicap Chase, the improving EVANDER can take another step forward dropping slightly in class after a battling second to Capeland in a Class Two at Wincanton last month.
I was impressed how Oliver Greenall's six-year-old kept finding under pressure that day despite not being able to dominate as he had done on his previous start at Doncaster, and this stiffer test should suit him well.
The course will also suit Alnadam who won nicely here in early December before disappointing on faster ground after an 8lb rise at Kempton over Christmas.
Later on KILTEALY BRIGGS could be the one to be on in the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase trying three miles for the first time over fences.
A lovely type, the seven-year-old has shaped well on both his chase starts so far and, after making the running, couldn't go with the smart Allart and Fiddlerontheroof in the closing stages over two-miles-and-three furlongs at Ascot last time.
Out of a full sister to the Grand National winner Ballabriggs, Kiltealy Briggs should be open to a good deal of improvement now stepped up in trip.
The obvious danger is the hat-trick seeking Ask Me Early who has jumped well to score twice at Chepstow, albeit going up 13lb.
Compared to Sandown, Musselburgh's card is a safe bet with regard to the weather for ITV4 viewers (though there will be an inspection for Sunday's card due to a snowy forecast) and LE BREUIL is worth another chance in the bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase.
The nine-year-old, a past winner of the Cheltenham Festival four-miler, was this column's selection for last month's Warwick Classic Chase in which, after losing his place in the back straight, he stayed on gamely to take third behind Notachance on his first run since a wind operation.
This extra distance - nearly a half mile further - can only suit this doughty stayer who is set to carry top weight because this is essentially a weaker race and, once rated 151, he is not badly handicapped now off 140.
Last year's winner Bob Mahler would be a threat, though has pulled up on all three outings so far this season, as would the Kelso and Newcastle winner The Ferry Master who now steps up in distance from three miles to four.
Paul Nicholls loves to send runners up from Somerset for this meeting and can strike with CHRISTOPHER WOOD in the bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle.
A wide margin winner at this meeting last year, the six-year-old also won on the Flat at Pontefract in June and returned to form over hurdles at Kempton over Christmas when chasing home the promising Cadzand (with the re-opposing Torigni third) after travelling easily into the lead at the second last.
Although 8lb higher than his course and distance win, Christopher Wood's chance will be immensely improved by Angus Cheleda's good-value 7lb allowance and one suspects that this was the obvious target after his last run.
Published at 1655 GMT on 05/02/21
