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Ben Solo a novice chaser to be positive about
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Il Etait Temps heads two-mile chase division
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Stiff tests of stamina suit O'Connell
Chepstow, 12:29 - Improving Ben Solo has more to offer
Ben Solo possibly needed the run when only fifth on his chasing debut at Chepstow last month, but, upped in trip, he showed much-improved form to win back at the same venue a couple of weeks later.
There was a lot to like about how Ben Solo went through that race, particularly impressing with his jumping, and he kept on well to score by three lengths.
A 6 lb rise in the weights looks fair, especially as Ben Solo still has the Timeform 'small p' to show that he's likely to improve further. His only victory over hurdles was also achieved at Chepstow, so he clearly handles the undulating track well, and he can follow up over the same course and distance as last time.
Back Ben Solo in the 12:29 at Chepstow
Sandown, 15:00 - Top-rated Il Etait Temps can land Betfair Tingle Creek
Il Etait Temps won three Grade 1s as a novice but showed even better form when slamming Jonbon in the Celebration Chase on his only start last season.
Il Etait Temps, making his first appearance since the previous year's Punchestown Festival, travelled well, jumped soundly and readily quickened clear of Jonbon, the odds-on favourite, to score by five and a half lengths, propelling himself to the head of the two-mile chase division on Timeform's ratings.
Il Etait Temps was faced with a much simpler task on his recent reappearance in the Clonmel Oil Chase but there was still a lot to like about the way he cruised 18 lengths clear, earning the Horse In Focus Flag to mark him out as one likely to be of firm interest next time. He also has Timeform's Horses For Courses Flag on his return to Sandown and heads the weight-adjusted ratings by 2 lb from Jonbon, who doesn't come into the race on the back of such a promising effort having been below his best, albeit with excuses, when runner-up to L'Eau du Sud in the Shloer Chase.
Back Il Etait Temps in the 15:00 at Sandown
Sandown, 15:35 - 'Horse In Focus' O'Connell can build on promising comeback
O'Connell enjoyed a productive campaign last season, winning three times in a row, including the Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown where he found plenty to lead inside the final 100 yards and draw two and three-quarter lengths clear.
O'Connell then produced an even better effort on Timeform's figures when runner-up in the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle on his final start last season, and he also shaped well when third on his reappearance at Carlisle last month, catching the eye with the late headway he made to grab a place.
That promising return over three and a quarter miles earned O'Connell the Horse In Focus Flag from Timeform's reporter and he also has the Horses For Courses Flag back at Sandown. The step up in trip to three and a half miles is also in the favour of O'Connell who is a strong stayer and whose Eider effort came over a trip in excess of three miles and seven furlongs.
Back O'Connell in the 15:35 at Sandown