Thunder to Rock Scilly Isles rivals

THUNDER ROCK disappointed slightly last time out but can bounce back to winning ways in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Olly Murphy has very high hopes for the seven-year-old, who won four of his six outings over hurdles.

Connections always viewed him as a potential chaser, though, so rather than go to last season’s Cheltenham Festival, he instead headed to Sandown for the EBF Final where the combination of soft ground and a redhot race found him out.

He did end his season on a winning note at the Scottish Grand National meeting, meaning he went for a summer at grass with his confidence raised.

He began life over fences in a tidy novice handicap at Uttoxeter, winning easily, with the second scoring next time out.

Thunder Rock then beat a solid yardstick in Solo with consummate ease at Ascotbefore being stepped up in class for the Dipper at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, where he was beaten three and a half lengths by the impressive

The Real Whacker having always been on the back foot, possibly due to the prevailing soft ground again.

Conditions will not be anywhere near as testing at Sandown and he can provide Murphy with a second win in the Grade One contest following Itchy Feet’s triumph in 2020.

Storm Nelson can make the long trip from Sandy Thomson’s yard pay by winning the £100,000 Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle.

Lightly raced, the 10-year-old has proved a very shrewd private purchase out of Lucy Normile’s yard.

Only rated 100 when switching stables, he won his first three races for new connections, seeing his mark rise to 128, but did not run again for eight months.

He was beaten on his next two starts, after which he underwent wind surgery andhad another lengthy break before returning this season with two more victories.

He does not fit the usual profile of a winner of this race, but his is not a normal career path and he is far less exposed than his age might suggest.