Netminder worth a quid or two at 8s though I fear he might be done for toe. Haven't looked too seriously at the race but hopefully there's a solid pace and I think he's on a decent mark.
Now on to the serious card, Sandown.
You'll see from my preview that I have a bit of a thing for WHISPER (nap). Just think he looks really classy in the way he travels. Very unexposed so can't really base it on much, call it a gut instinct. Barry Geraghty has seemingly turned his nose at this one which should be enough to put me off but it doesn't. Tinkler has ridden him 3 out of his 4 races (winning all 3) so maybe it's more down to that. Anyway, you have to go with your gut. 13/2. Whatever wins is very well in because there's a ton here who look off a good mark. Again haven't looked to closely tbh, just get a good feel with this one.
The champ is booked to ride 10/1 Lively Baron in the next. Can someone confirm this needs a win to get into the festival? Think he has improvement in him, saw him win when idling here at Sandown 3 starts ago. 2 starts ago doesn't tell the whole picture, he blundered badly late on when running a place and I'm blaming the ground for his latest effort. Booking of McCoy a huge plus and 10s is too big in a race where the 2/1 fav possibly wants a bottomless 5 miles.
20/1 Paintball is a fair e/w bet in the big one. The race looks tougher this year but he's had a near identical preparation and is off a near identical mark. He shouldn't be too far off and if the market leaders flop a la Ted Spread then who knows?