Sandown Saturday

1:25 Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 2m3f173y

Titan Discovery only just prevailed in a 2m handicap at Ascot in December, but the Pether’s Moon gelding promises to improve for the step up in trip, and it’s worth noting that his full-sister Lunar Discovery produced a career best when landing a listed hurdle over 2m3f at Haydock in December, and that half-brother Bingoo (both trained by Jimmy Moffatt) also improved for the step up to around 2m4f when winning at Aintree on Boxing Day.

Quite apart from the remarkable achievement of all three siblings winning within a few days of each other, the evidence is clear enough that Titan Discovery should progress again for the stiffer test here, and that should enable him to offset the 7lb rise he was given for getting the better of Toonagh Warrior in a spirited battle last time.

2:00 Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase 1m7f99y

What to do with that old monkey Harper’s Brook? Well, the simple answer is back him pre-race and get your stake back at shorter in running. I napped him last time at Ascot and he traded at 1.01 in running having gone clear after the last, but not for the first time, he pulled himself up when the job was done and threw away certain victory. He did something similar here in the Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase on the final day of the last jumps season.

Ben Pauling’s charge is clearly not one to trust without a safety net but he’s clearly well handicapped and will surely win a race of this nature at some stage, even with his quirks.

2:35 Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f10y

Nickle Back is normally a sound jumper but put in a couple of sloppy leaps when beaten by Hermes Allen in the John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury. He was back to his best when gamely sticking to his guns in the Wayward Lad at Kempton last time and he looks overpriced in the rematch with Paul Nicholls’ Challow Hurdle winner.

It has to be said that Nickle Back is a little more exposed than Hermes Allen, but that is reflected in the odds on offer, and the Sarah Humphrey-trained chaser is worth backing to avenge that defeat at a track which should suit his aggressive style. El Patron is another to consider here, but he seemed to relish testing ground when winning the Henry VIII here earlier in the season, and the quicker ground is not sure to suit him.

3:10 Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m7f98y

Anthony Honeyball continues to send out winners and Good Look Charm can go well having hit the frame in competitive handicaps over shorter the last twice. A good third to Nurse Susan at Cheltenham in December, she defied ominous market weakness to finish an excellent fourth to another Dan Skelton inmate in the shape of Jay Jay Reilly in the Lanzarote Hurdle three weeks ago. Tried over as far as 3m2f over fences, she ought to cope well with the step up to an extended 2m7f here, and the handicapper has left her on an unchanged mark. She’s a fair price at present, but has proved easy to back on her last couple of starts, so is one to back with the best odds guaranteed proviso.

3:45 Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase 3m37y

Blackjack Magic won well in the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton on his return despite fears from Anthony Honeyball that he was short of fitness, and he would have finished second in the Silver Cup at Ascot last time but for a rare mistake at the final fence. Drying ground is no great concern, and he remains on a very fair mark, so with Sandown’s fences expected to be right up his street, he’s a fairly confident shout to return to winning ways, particularly with many of his rivals seeming better granted a more thorough test.

Musselburgh Saturday

2:15 - Bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase 3m7f76y

Landen Calling was back to his best when winning the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen last time, and his best efforts have come granted a test of stamina away from testing ground. Clearly suited by racing right-handed, Fergal O’Brien’s charge has plenty in his favour at a track which rarely gets testing, and the longer trip doesn’t temper confidence in any way given how he saw his race out last time.

2:50 Bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle 1m7f124y

He can’t be a confident shout, but there must be a chance that the well-handicapped Hartur D’oudairies could spring a surprise given his stable has had a revival since the gelding was last seen in action. Previously with Dan Skelton. Hartur D’oudairies was second to both Djelo and Mr Freedom at around this trip last term from a mark 2lb higher and that pair have since franked the form. He’s not gone on as expected, but Brian Ellison has a fine record over the years with similar types, and Hartur D’oudairies has had excuses of late having failed to take to fences. Given a break since disappointing at Sedgefield in November, I’d not be at all surprised to see him bounce back at lengthy odds.