Horse Racing Tips: Evan Williams charge hard to oppose at Sandown

Star Gate could be star quality

Back Star Gate @ 6/4 in the 14:25 Sandown

Only a small field for this Grade 2 Ballymore Winter Novices' Hurdle, but a couple of potentially smart recruits including Evan Williams' unbeaten Star Gate. Two starts (one Point in Ireland) two wins for the £140,000 purchase at the sales earlier this year and he could well prove that to be a bargain if his debut for these connections is anything to go by. He absolutely sauntered clear hard held and looks a recruit of huge promise. I would expect him to step up on that performance today as that was on the back of a 268 day abscence. He looks the one to beat.

Sending Love for Paul Nicholls won a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las last time out following wind surgery and looks like being the main danger. Despite wining easily enough and with plenty in hand, I just don't think that win was as impressive as Star Gate's but I expect her to be chasing home the selection at the end.

Whitehotchillifili is dropping in class

Back Whitehotchillifili @ 6/1 in the 15:35 Sandown

This is a drop down in class for Whitehotchillifili compared to Grade 2 and Listed level the last twice. The six-year-old mare was far from disgraced in either of those and should find things easier trying handicap company for the first time from a mark of 130. Both hurdles wins have come right-handed on deep ground so these conditions are ideal and the booking of Richard Johnson is a positive.

It's a competitive handicap but I think the mare has the quality to beat the likes of Nicky Henderson's charge Vegas Blue and Penny Mallow from the Venetia Williams yard. The latter was poor on her final start last term and I would like to see how she goes first time up this season and Vegas Blue didn't look comfortable by the soft at Kempton on Boxing Day and on handicap debut may need to improve.

The one to beat is the bottom weight Emmpressive Lady, Sue Gardner's runner had plenty to spare when scoring in an Exeter novice last time and the runner-up has given the form a minor boost recently. At the odds though I would rather take a chance with Whitehotchillifili.