Rory Delargy provides today's preview and tips and he's got three to consider at Sandown.
Racing betting tips: Friday December 5
1pt win Tormund Giantsbane in 13:45 Sandown at 11/2 (General) – min 5/1
1pt win The Blue Room in 13:45 Sandown at 17/2 (William Hill) – min 8/1
1.5pts win Marche D’Aligre in the 15:30 Sandown at 11/4 (General) – min 5/2
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13:45 Sandown
The betting tells you that No Drama This End is a good thing for the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle, and while he won well enough at Cheltenham last month, his price is more reflective of comments like: “If ever I had another type like Denman, it is him” from Paul Nicholls.
Some people are inclined to take such comments as gospel, but Dave and I are miserable old curmudgeons who tend to take them much more cynically. No Drama This End isn’t the first horse by any means who has got the Denman comparison and while it is high praise, it doesn’t stop punters looking at the form and making up their own minds.
David was on paddock duty for the Cheltenham race and didn’t think it was that strong in terms of quality behind the winner, and while we both agree he ought to be favourite for this, we went up either side of evens as our assessment, and are keen to oppose him with a couple of very promising sorts in opposition.
TORMUND GIANTSBANE is a physically imposing type who made a big impression on his seasonal debut at Carlisle. Held up in rear initially, he moved smoothly through the field when given the office, and powered up the final hill to win with something to spare over Intosomethinggood. Some may point out that the runner-up disappointed next time, but two of those who were behind have come out to win well since, and the form looks solid.
Given his size, Tormund Giantsbane should improve for that run, even if he was well backed on the day, and he displays plenty of knee action to suggest that soft or heavy ground might be what he needs to show his form. He’s a promising sort for the winter months and is taken to spring a minor surprise.
Another who will improve for a winning return is THE BLUE ROOM, who showed promise in bumpers and made a winning start over hurdles at Chepstow despite the Trackside judge on the day noting him as being short of fitness.
That won’t be picked up by many given how well Olly Murphy’s tend to run first time up, but we both expect a big jolt of improvement from The Blue Room, who promises to be well suited by the longer trip given his stamina-laden pedigree.
We’ve backed both against the odss-on favourite, and recommend you do the same.
14:55 Sandown
None of the runners in this contest can be ruled out easily, and it’s worth pointing out that the ground on the chase course is much less testing than on the hurdle track at Sandown, for all rain on the day is expected to ease it.
Champagne Twist failed to show his form over hurdles last season having improved markedly the previous spring, but as a result he’s dropped to a mark just 5lb above that off which he won the hugely competitive EBF Final here in March 2024.
Ben Pauling’s charge shaped much better on his return despite looking in need of the run in the paddock, and a 2-length third of 6 to Hidden History at Aintree reads well in the contest of this race.
He meets the winner again here, and is 2lb better off for a couple of lengths, but the key is that Champagne Twist looked the one that would come on for the run beforehand, and he can reverse the form today. He also made a couple of mistakes on the way around, and would have gone close without the errors, while his stable’s runners tend to improve with experience in that department.
It’s worth recalling that when he won the EBF Final here the ground was soft, so conditions and track should be ideal, and if he improves his jumping technique from Aintree, he ought to take the world of beating.
15:30 Sandown
MARCHE D'ALIGRE has always looked been a strapping sort, and he looked out of place against flat-bred juveniles over hurdles last year. He probably needs soft ground to show his form so it was odd to see him tried (and disappoint) on good and quicker last season.
He was slightly underwhelming when beaten at Wetherby on his return, as he again looked a more imposing physical specimen than his rivals, but Wetherby tends to suit the latter type and he was always a little on the back foot there when trying to give 6lb to Saligo Bay.
In fairness, the Saligo Bay had fitness on his side and is a really nimble jumper, so Marche d’Aligre was probably up against it without a run, and he’s expected to step forward for that close second, with the deep ground and uphill finish at Sandown sure to be in his favour. Jamie Snowden could hardly be in better form and Marche d’Aligre won’t get many better chances than this.
Preview posted 09:48 GMT on 05/12/25
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