THIS WEEKEND we turn our attention to Sandown and some pointers towards the opening event at the Cheltenham Festival, now only two and a half months away.  As with last week the feature race run in this country on Saturday is a Grade One Novices’ hurdle.  The Anglo Irish Bank Tolworth Hurdle features many individuals who may well contest the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as it did with 2006 Tolworth/Supreme Novices’ winner Noland.  Last year the race was won in a slog by Denman’s half brother Silverburn in the colours of Paul Green and the same owner appears to have the outstanding candidate to claim the prize for a second successive year.  There’s been no smoke on the water obscuring the talents of the Evan Williams trained Deep Purple who romped away with the Grade Two Mitie Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle at Ascot last time.  The field wasn’t as strong as he will face this time around but his superiority was enough to convince that he is one of the leading novices around and he can consolidate that position with another victory in this event.  The first race on the Sandown card is a mares only Listed event which should fall the way of the Nicky Henderson trained Chomba Womba.  She won with any amount in hand in her first start in England, having previously been trained in Ireland, despite the exaggerated pulling up tactics initiated by Mick Fitzgerald that almost saw her overhauled on the line.  Barring any disasters or jockey over-confidence she should make it two from two in the British Isles.

 Selections – 1.00 Sandown, 1 Chomba Womba

                                                               2.40 Sandown, 4 Deep Purple