Nigel is Top Of The Bill
Guernesey looks as if he’s in the grip of the handicapper again, and it may better to look further down the weights in Sandown’s opener
Nigel TwistonDavies’ Top Of The Bill looks as though this event has been a target, in only his second run in a handicap.
His neck second to subsequent winner, Roko George, on soft ground at two miles last February is a hint that this longer trip is needed.
Hudson De Grugy takes a step down in grade for a steeplechase debut in the two-and-a-half mile novices handicap.
The soft ground at Sandown will be ideal for this mudlark, who presumably has schooled well as Sandown is tricky for a novice.
His last hurdle win was in a race for horses rated up to 145, and today’s test is restricted to runners from 0-135.
The Listed chase can go to Paul Nicholls with his seven-year-old, Pic D’Orhy, who came back from a break with a Newton Abbot success.
His rating of 158 sets the standard , and with improvement likely after his comeback win, he ticks many boxes.