Timeform Radio Tips: Nicholls charge Hints at more to come

David's bets today come from Sandown

David Cleary picks out two bets on the second day of Sandown's Winter Festival.

An excellent afternoon's racing in prospect with a full programme of four jumps cards, Aintree featuring the Becher Chase over the National fences. The day's main meeting, though, is at Sandown, where the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at 15:05 features the return to action of Sprinter Sacre, last season's Arkle winner and one of the best novices seen over fences in many years. It will be disappointing if he can't make a winning return, even against as good a rival as Sanctuaire.

The day's best bets look to be elsewhere on the card. Like the Tingle Creek, the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at 13:55 also features a Henderson-trained odds-on chance in Captain Conan, with the main danger in the care of Paul Nicholls. In this case, the danger, namely Hinterland, is worth a bet at the morning prices. He was turned over at odds on at Exeter on his chasing debut but got a crazy ride that day, going off far too hard, and that surely won't happen this afternoon. Hinterland looks the sort to make a better chaser than hurdler, and if he can show that at the second attempt, Captain Conan will have his work cut out to concede him 6 lb successfully.

The mares hurdle at 12.55 features the return of the David Nicholson runner-up Kentford Grey Lady, a thoroughly likeable mare with further improvement in her. However, she's priced accordingly and today's race, on very testing ground, wouldn't be sure to show her to best advantage. All Annalena looks overpriced. She found her stamina stretched at Ascot last time after travelling strongly for a long way, so this two-furlong shorter trip will suit. All Annalena has every chance on her previous form and may well get the run of things from the front too.  

Recommended Bets:

Back Hinterland in the 13:55 at Sandown
Back All Annalena in the 12:55 at Sandown