Grandouet (Sandown, 1.50pm Saturday)
Despite spending more than a year out injured, Grandouet was still talked up as an outside bet for last year’s Champion Hurdle. A fall put paid to his chances at Cheltenham and trainer Nicky Henderson has sent him chasing instead this season.
The bigger obstacles might still be a problem though and he unseated Barry Geraghty on his first time out at Sandown last month.
The winner that day, Hinterland, and Alan King’s Balder Succes are both strong opponents but if Grandouet fails to challenge today — or at least get around safely — Henderson may have to rethink the rest of the season’s schedule.
Captain Conan (Sandown, 3pm Saturday)
Captain Conan never really sparkled in the Jewson last season and, with plenty of evidence to suggest that he prefers a shorter trip, now it’s a case of finding the right target.
Today’s Tingle Creek Chase, over two miles, is his first run of the season. Under normal circumstances the rest of the field would be fighting it out for the place money behind Sprinter Sacre but his withdrawal leaves Captain Conan with a great chance to impress.
Sire de Grugy and Somersby will have other ideas.
Arvika Ligeonniere, Flemenstar, Sir Des Champs (Punchestown, 1.35pm Sunday)
The pick of the weekend’s races comes at Punchestown tomorrow where three top Cheltenham contenders will look to stake their claims by winning the John Durkan Memorial Chase.
Of the three, Sir des Champs is the only one who has not been out already this season. He is likely to need the run, and a bit longer than the 2m5f trip, so it’s best not to read too much into his performance.
Arvika Ligeonniere and Flemenstar both won against fairly modest opposition last month and it is the latter who has most to prove after muddling his way through the second half of last season.
An intriguing watch.
