Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls guides you through his team of runners on Saturday.
Sandown
13:50 - Fire Flyer
I run two in this and they are both on twelve stone after the weights were raised 4lbs, but it’s a limited handicap with the bottom weights on eleven stone. Fire Flyer is a smart, progressive horse and could be very well treated racing off a mark of 127. I had to run him quickly twice in five days to qualify for this final but that was over a month ago and he is in top order at home. Fire Flyer handles soft ground and has a solid chance in a competitive race.
13:50 - Emailandy
He is going the right way, too, is very consistent and is wearing cheek pieces for the first time to help him concentrate. On the balance of their form I feel Fire Flyer has a few pounds in hand of him.
14:25 - Sans Bruit
He didn’t quite get the trip at a Doncaster where he was a bit keen on his debut for us late in January on his first time since a wind op. He should appreciate stepping back in distance to two miles and he has plenty of decent form on soft ground in France where he won five times over hurdles. We are running him in a hood to try to help him relax and he looks to have a nice each way chance.
15:35 - Golden Son
I wasn’t surprised to see him bounce back last time in first time cheek pieces at Kempton where he kept on strongly to see off the challenge of Heltenham who franked the form in style by winning the valuable Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury last Saturday. The handicapper has raised Golden Son 3lbs and although he now carries top weight of twelve stone he looks to have a lovely chance.
16:10 - Switch Hitter
He ran tidily twice before Christmas and has since been waiting for drier ground but there hasn’t been much chance of that this winter. The better the going the better it will suit Switch Hitter who might just need the run at Sandown and can hopefully come good in the spring.
Hereford
17:20 - Jena D’Oudairies
She showed plenty on her debut at Ludlow late in November and was bang there two out before running a bit green on her way to finishing third. That form looks all right and she has done well since then so hopefully she will be hard to beat.
Best chance: Fire Flyer (13.50 Sandown) - I’m looking for a big run from Fire Flyer who is going the right way.