1:50 Sandown
Call Me Lord has a tall reputation and makes his debut for Nicky Henderson on Saturday, having won two of his three starts in his native France at tracks such as Cagnes-Sur-Mer and Compeigne.
Most of his rivals at Sandown have endured a long season so he comes here relatively fresh.
Despite having to give weight away all around he is open to any amount of improvement and it will be disappointing if he cannot see off this thoroughly exposed lot.
Of his rivals, Hollywood Road has won his last two starts and comes here in search of the hat-trick and has to be respected.
Timoteo is consistent but is hard to win with and may have to settle for minor honours again.
Selection: CALL ME LORD
2:05 Haydock
El Vip was far from disgraced just over a fortnight ago when making his seasonal reappearance at Bath.
He stays further so stamina is assured and Luca Cumani has his team in excellent form.
Frankie Dettori comes in for the ride on the four-year-old who is bound to go onto better things as the season progresses.
War Glory has been warming up on the all-weather of late so will certainly be fit enough to cause him most problems, whilst Top Notch Tonto could do with a bit of rain in order to get involved.
Selection: EL VIP
2:25 Sandown
Menorah is a class act and even at the age of 12 he should have too much in the locker for these rivals who have been on the go all year.
The son of Kings Theatre hasn’t been seen since November but he has a good record fresh and should make a bold bid to defend his crown in what looks a sub standard renewal.
Three of his last four races at this track have resulted in wins and he can improve upon that this afternoon.
Traffic Fluide was 17 lengths behind Fox Norton at Cheltenham but he will need to improve again if he is to rate as a danger to the selection.
The Nicholls horses here have been bitterly disappointing this year so Josses Hill may be able to make the frame.
Selection: MENORAH
2:40 Haydock
Fawaareq made giant strides for rookie trainer Owen Burrows last season, winning at Beverley and then twice in a row at Newmarket.
He certainly gets every yard of this trip and having only been beaten a length on his seasonal reappearance last season he clearly goes well fresh.
Jim Crowley takes over in the saddle as the retained jockey for Hamdan Al Maktoum and the dou command utmost respect.
Twin Appeal was impressive for David Barron at Musselburgh last time and comes here fully fit.
He is likely to give the selection most to think about with a rejuvenated Oh This Is Us who has to concede weight all around.
Selection: FAWAAREQ
3:00 Sandown
Altior has carried all before him this season and this should help put the seal on the Trainer’s Championship for Nicky Henderson.
This powerhouse of a two-mile chaser has quite simply the best form in the book by a country mile.
He is one of the most exciting horses in training and he should be winning this as a formality, while Special Tiara is likely to follow him home.
The form of his win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase was given an almighty boost by Fox Norton at Punchestown earlier in the week.
Selection ALTIOR
3:35 Sandown
Present Man has been sparingly campaigned this year and has only run once in 2017, a winning effort at Ascot where he saw off the likes of Dark Flame, Brother Tedd and Minellacelebration.
Having made virtually all the running he was challenged hard in the closing stages only to put in a determined effort, winning by five lengths in the end.
Many of his rivals in the Bet465 Gold Cup handicap Chase this afternoon have endured long and hard seasons, but he comes here fresher than most and has to enter calculations based on the current form of his trainer.
Sugar Baron was all the rage for the Scottish Grand National last week but fell at the first, so if none the worse for that he will likely be among the chief dangers here.
Doing Fine finally got his head in front for Neil Mulholland last time out following three second-placed efforts and is another lightly-raced type that could figure at the business end of the race.
Selection: PRESENT MAN
