Hitman can pick off big guns in Tingle Creek showdown

There was a lot of uproar after Nicky Henderson took Shishkin out of the Tingle Creek, but even in his absence this is still a weekend to get the pulse racing.

Let’s start with the big Grade 1 at Sandown. Shishkin-less, yes, but he wouldn’t have even been the best horse in the race on figures if he had lined up against Chacun Pour Soi in Surrey.

Of the three big Champion Chase contenders – Energumene is current second-favourite – I am very much in the Chacun Pour Soi camp. He was imperious when sent out in front at Punchestown, and had he been ridden like that at the festival he’d have hosed up. He sets a very high standard, one which the two novices are yet to reach, even on their very impressive novice performances.

However, this is the Tingle Creek, not the Champion Chase, and there must be an element of risk in taking the 5-4 about Chacun that is currently on offer ante-post given Willie Mullins also has Allaho entered in the race.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Mullins was to swerve this with Chacun Pour Soi and, given he has been beaten first time out before, I’ll take him on here with HITMAN, who is surely overpriced at 16-1.

He is making a habit of not seeing out the job, but he might just have the race run to suit here if Chacun does go hard from the front and carry him longer into the race.

He has tons to find on figures, but I sense we haven’t seen anywhere near the best of this five-year-old, and he might just be suited by being thrown in at the deep end.

The other Grade 1 on the card at Sandown is the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, where THIRD TIME LUCKI can enhance his Arkle claims. His latest victory at Cheltenham divided opinion, but I thought it was a pretty good performance in a race that was a little messy.

It will be interesting to see what tactics are deployed by the

Skeltons, as he can be free in his races. Personally, I’d like to see Harry go from the front and use Third Time Lucki’s brilliant jumping to take the race away from his rivals.

I am hoping Christmas comes early in the London National Handicap Chase as CHRISTMAS IN APRIL looks to have a great chance for the resurgent Colin Tizzard team.

I marked him down as a handicapper to follow last season but, like a lot of the Tizzard runners, he struggled at times.

However, he looked much better when second on his reappearance at Carlisle in October and appears set for a big season with this and perhaps the Welsh National as potential targets. He is definitely one to keep on side.

The big punting race of the day is the Becher Chase at Aintree where we will see some familiar names jumping the famous Grand National fences, and this can go to the remarkable mare

SNOW LEOPARDESS.

Charlie Longsdon’s nine-yearold is lightly raced, which is hardly surprising given she took time out of her racing career to give birth to a foal by Sir Percy.

Her return to the racetrack has been extraordinary, winning twice from seven starts and only finishing outside the top three twice, when fourth in the National Hunt Chase at the festival and sixth in a competitive handicap chase at the Grand National meeting at Aintree.

There was plenty to like about her win at Bangor last time, and her stamina will be a huge asset around here. She looks well handicapped off 140.

She is yet to run over the National fences, but given how versatile she has been throughout her career, I doubt a few big fences will cause her too many problems.

Al Boum Photo was the surprising headline entry among a mouthwatering list for the Many Clouds Chase (2.05) at Aintree, a line-up which could also include Champ, Native River and Tiger Roll.

Willie Mullins has stated his dual Gold Cup winner will be campaigned more aggresively this campaign, but I’d be wary of taking the early offers of 2-1.

There are heavy showers forecast all week and should the ground come up soft, preference would be for the 11-year-old

NATIVE RIVER.

The 2018 Gold Cup winner is clearly not getting any younger, but he has shown a remarkable level of consistency throughout his career and will expose any fitness concerns among his rivals.

DAREBIN appears to be overpriced in the 1m7½f handicap chase (3.00). He is coming into this after a heavy defeat at Kempton, but he won at Fontwell the time before and absolutely loves Sandown.

The Pertemps qualifier at Sandown (3.35) closes the card on Friday and this can go to PILEON for the Philip Hobbs team.

He ran a perfectly respectable race when fourth in a similar race at Haydock last time, and given he was beaten a short head at the festival in 2020 I am sure a trip to Prestbury Park is on the cards again. However, he will need to go up a few pounds in the handicap to get in there off a mark of 131.

His second in the Martin Pipe came off a mark of 138 so he is potentially well handicapped, and the Hobbs horses are in much better form this season.

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