Bradley can land London National for Fergal O’Brien

Sprinter Sacre may be absent from Sandown’s Tingle Creek card but there is still plenty of quality on show. There are two Grade 1 chases, a Listed handicap hurdle and the London National included in Channel 4’s live coverage.

Sire De Grugy is fancied to return to winning ways in the feature event after being caught on the run-in by Kid Cassidy at Cheltenham last time. Gary Moore’s promising chaser made a couple of costly errors that day and will be far more at home on this easier track.

His main rival is Captain Conan who is standing in for Sprinter Sacre as Nicky Henderson’s representative. He had two lengths to spare over Sire De Grugy at Cheltenham last season but the runner-up has improved a lot since.

The second Grade 1 event on the card is the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase which features a fascinating clash between Grandouet and Taquin Du Seuil. Grandouet unshipped his jockey on his first attempt over fences but was considered Champion Hurdle class over hurdles.

Taquin Du Seuil defeated another Henderson horse in Oscar Whisky at Cheltenham over two and a half miles last time out and is very highly regarded by Jonjo O’Neill. He won’t have matters all his own way here with the useful Balder Success and Hinterland also successful this season.

The Listed Handicap Hurdle at 2.25 looks wide open and it may pay to take a chance on the consistent Deep Trouble. He was beaten by a well handicapped horse in Quick Jack at Cheltenham and may still be competitive off a 7lbs higher mark.

Radmores Revenge has also gone up by the same amount for an easy success at Chepstow in heavy ground whilst River Mague was a smart novice last term. David Pipe knows the time of day in handicap hurdles and the market could be the best guide to the chances of Waterunder.

Bradley looks nicely weighted for the London National at 3.35 and any improvement for his third behind Alvarado would see him go close here. Scottish National winner Godsmejudge was not far behind him that day but may be anchored by 11st 12lb whilst Well Refreshed would like it much softer.

Selections: 12.20 Vibrato Valtat, 12.50 Scholastica, 1.20 Whipper, 1.50 Taquin Du Seuil, 2.25 Deep Trouble, 3.00 Sire De Grugy (NAP), 3.35 Bradley (nb)