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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Constitution Hill too good in Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown

CONSTITUTION HILL can prove too good in the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.25pm) at Sandown on Saturday afternoon.

Nicky Henderson’s rising star may not be a real betting proposition at such a short price but it is hard not to see him landing the Grade One feature at the Esher track.

The five-year-old made a senstational hurdling debut over course and distance last month and looks certain to make it two from two starts Under Rules as he steps up into Grade One company.

With victory he can book a ticket to the Cheltenham Festival and a possible match-up with stablemate and current favourite Jonbon in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March.

Constitution Hill scored by a comfortable 14 lengths on his debut beating Harry Fry’s Might I, who was well-regarded by his connections and was sent off favourite.

So the form looks solid and there is every chance that Constitution Hill will make up into a very smart horse and there doesn’t look anything in Saturday’s Tolworth to trouble him apart from Paul Nicholls’ similarly unbeaten hurdler Mr Glass – who can follow him home, probably at a distance.

While the feature doesn’t look a big betting event for punters, the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (The Final Of The 2021 Veterans Chase Series) (3pm) certainly is and Kayley Woollacott’s THE KINGS WRIT can come out on top.

There are several horses who have been around the block in the three-mile contest and hold decent chances of victory, but Woollacott’s veteran 11-year-old may triumph.

Although he hasn’t won since December 2018, The Kings Writ has generally performed with credit and looks like he can get back to winning ways.

The gelded son of St Leger hero Brian Boru was a distant fifth on his seasonal return over 2m4f at Exeter at the start of the last month.

But with that under his belt and stepped back up in distance, The Kings Writ can get the better of chiefly Venetia William’s top weight Aso and the Kim Bailey-trained Wandrin Star.

Evan Williams’ MACK THE MAN is a course and distance winner at Sandown and he can land another success in the Unibet Casino Deposit £10 Get £40 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.35pm).

The eight-year-old won a Listed contest here back in December 2019 and having not been convincing over fences in two starts the following season, he has reverted back to the smaller obstacles.

He scored at Wincanton around this time last year and made a winning return at Exeter last time.

Mack The Man is up 3lb for that success but he looks sure to make a bold bid for another victory.

David Pipe’s French import RED HAPPY can make a winning debut for his new stable in the Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (For The Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series) (1.15pm).

The five-year-old won twice in his homeland for Gabriel Leenders at the end of 2021. And he can make a winning start for his new connections.

Nick Williams’ course and distance winner MOONLIGHTER can land the Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.50pm).

The nine-year-old was fifth in this contest 12 months ago, but won over course and distance the following month.

He was pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival and also on his return at Exeter in November.

But he was fifth back at Cheltenham last month and is now down to 3lb below his last winning handicap mark.

Another who may score at Sandown is the Ian Williams-trained MALAKAHNA in the opener, the Unibet Extra Place Races Every Day Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (12.05pm); while Willie Mullins sends GAULOISE over from Ireland for the Listed Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Mares’ Hurdle (NHMOPS Bonus Race) (GBB Race) (12.40pm) and with the Irish champion trainer in such good form, she can score on his seasonal return.

At Wincanton Neil Mulholland’s course and distance winner GOLDEN EMBLEM can also return to the winner’s enclosure in the rapidcharge.com Leading EV Charging Solution Handicap Hurdle (2.40pm).

The eight-year-old won at Wincanton last March and although he hasn’t scored since he hinted at changing that last time when second at Plumpton.

He can go one better this time.

Emma Lavelle’s KILLER CLOWN has disappointed on his two starts this season when sixth in both the Old Roan Chase at Aintree Racecourse in October and in the 2m6f Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase at Newbury at the end of November.

But the eight-year-old is better than that and this looks a good chance for him to land a second chase success in the Art Of Outdoor With Ocean Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.15pm).

Others who may score at Wincanton are the Anthony Honeyball-trained MIDNIGHT CALLISTO in the Leonna Mayor New House Celebration Handicap Hurdle (1.30pm); OUT ON THE TEAR in the AdvancedBiotech.com UK Award Winning CBD Handicap Chase (2.05pm); and STORM FORCE BEN – from the Philip Hobbs’ stable – in the finale, the John Romans Park Homes Novices’ Handicap Chase (3.50pm).

At Newcastle Ann Hamilton’s course and distance winner BAVINGTON BOB can take the QuinnBet Handicap Chase (1.23pm) and Merseyside-born Grand National-winning trainer Donald McCain can also get on the scoreboard with DREAMS OF HOME in the Quinncasino Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.58pm).