Flamcara to star at Sandown

JOCKEY Patrick Cowley should be celebrating the biggest win of his career to date with Flemcara in the Betfred Heroes Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.

The duo have clearly struck up an excellent rapport this term, winning each of their last three starts with that good run of form also coinciding with a switch to handicap class from novice events.

Flemcara has officially improved 27lb from that first win at Worcester in November to now and while this Grade Three heat is another step up, Emma

Lavelle’s charge still looks to be on the upgrade and Cowley’s 7lb claim is very handy indeed.

Grade One honours are up for grabs in the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase and Terrefort can book his Festival ticket with victory in the two-and-a-half-mile event.

Nicky Henderson takes a steep jump in company with this five-yearold following a 10-length win on his British debut at Huntingdon last month, but given he previously raced in France, he has oodles of experience under his belt already.

He also gets a handy 3lb weight allowance which should be put to good use here.

It will be a huge shock if fellow Henderson inmate Buveur D’Air gets turned over in the Betfred ``Supports Jack Berry House’’ Contenders Hurdle, but given his prohibitive price, this is a race to merely watch rather than take an active interest.

Ami Desbois can make amends for a disappointing effort last time with victory in the totesport.com Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

He reportedly suffered a breathing problem when pulled up on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham but is not one to give up on yet, particularly with conditions set to be so testing. Musselburgh kicks off its two-day Festival trials meeting and Paul Nicholls can take advantage of the potentially better ground with Amour De Nuit in the bet365 Scottish County Hurdle while his Wonderful Charm will take all the beating in the bet365 Scottish Foxhunter Open Hunters’ Chase.