Ed Quigley: It’s Tolworth Day At Sandown Park

Nicky Henderson won’t be able to attend the Esher venue on Saturday, due to contracting Covid-19. Naturally, here at Freebets we wish him well, and I am sure a strong performance from CONSTITUTION HILL in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle will help put a smile on his face, as the five-year-old will be looking to follow up his emphatic debut success at this track from last month. He oozed class in pulverising a handy bunch last time out, and looks to be a horse with the tools to go right to the top. The likes of recent Cheltenham scorer DATSALRIGHTGINO and MR GLASS should offer a test, but it is the Seven Barrows representative who looks to have the x-factor, and with a win here, will likely propel himself to outright favourite for the Supreme in just over 9 weeks time.

Best Bets on the card – Look for those with proven soft-ground form in the book

With more rain expected on Saturday, the Jamie Snowden trained ANYTHINGFORLOVE could spring a surprise at 12/1 (bet365) in the Mares’ Listed Hurdle at 12.40. Although she has a bit to find on ratings, she comes alive in the mud, is a previous course and distance winner and arrives here in good form after bolting up at Ffos Las. In The 1.50, the Nick Williams trained MOONLIGHTER looks the each-way play. The softer the ground the better for him, he has some smart form at Sandown, and he is now 3lb lower than when last successful. He has to be taken seriously with Harry Cobden in the saddle.

Wincanton Wagers – Can the former Tizzard ace roll back the years?

SLATE HOUSE is clearly not the force of old, but is absolutely lobbed in off 134 and is worth backing to see if the old fires still burn. A Grade 1 winner in 2019, he looks too well treated to pass over, and was even third in this last season off a whopping 16lb higher. Blinkers go on for the first time, and a return to the winners enclosure would be far from a shock. Earlier on the card, the in-form Ben Pauling team have APPLE ROCK ready to roll in the 2m5f Handicap Hurdle (2.40). There have been excuses for his last couple of runs, but with forecast rain on the way, he looks a major player. Off a mark of 117, he is back on the same mark as when last successful, and should go well with Luca Morgan claiming 5lb.

Advice:

Anythingforlove, Sandown 12.40pm, 1pt win 12/1 (bet365)

Moonlighter, Sandown 1.50pm, 0.5pts e/w win 13/2 (bet365)

Apple Rock, Wincanton 2.40pm, 1pt win 11/2 (William Hill)

Slate House, Wincanton 3.15pm, 1pt win 11/2 (Coral)