Ed Chamberlin – ITV Racing
The Betfair Tingle Creek Chase is one of the highlights of the entire season. And this year is no different! Il Etait Temps, will likely be the favourite after a brilliant display at Sandown Park at the back of last season. Jonbon will have something to prove now. He is an absolute dynamite, almost unbeatable at Sandown Park over the years, but he didn't look himself just looked a bit sloppy at Cheltenham last time out in the Shloer Chase and was worried out by L’eau Du Sud, who could be the value of the race. You've got other talented horses like Gidleigh Park in the race as well. It promises to be an absolute thriller as the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase always is. The best at the minute might just be L’eau Du Sud.
Joshua Stacey – Racing TV
Keep the faith in Jonbon. He may have been well beaten in the Shloer at Cheltenham, but Sandown in early winter is when he truly shines. His Cheltenham run was reportedly no surprise, and he’s expected to come on plenty for it. And remember, for all their recent dominance, Mullins and Skelton have just one Tingle Creek between them. For all his recent wins, I still struggle to trust Il Etait Temps when he’s fancied on the big day. In the Celebration Chase here in April, he beat a version of Jonbon who had danced every dance that season. He looked good in the Clonmel Oil Chase this month, but he’s at his best in the spring. L’Eau Du Sud and Only By Night look the dangers. L’Eau Du Sud was imperious at Cheltenham and is clearly improving, but I’d imagine he was far readier than Jonbon that day - Skelton seemed almost surprised by what he produced. Only By Night gets 7lbs from the boys, putting her firmly in the mix if she runs. She’s speedy, proven in open company, and not to be overlooked. With all that said, underestimate Jonbon at your peril.
James Mackie – Betfair
Il Etait Temps is going to be all the rage as the 4/7 favourite looking to give Willie Mullins his first win in the race since 2016. He has been a superstar chaser for the yard and most importantly holds Grade 1 winning form around Sandown.
However, I am going to give one final chance to Jonbon to land his third straight victory in the Betfair Tingle Creek for Nicky Henderson at 7/2. He always improves for his first run of the season and can’t be judged on his runs at Cheltenham as we have enough evidence suggest he just does not act around there. Jonbon isn’t getting any younger, but he is still a class act not finishing outside the top two places in all 24 of his runs under rules and has acquired 10 Grade 1s during his career.
Stephen Darbyshire - FanCave
Well... L’eau Du Sud is going to win.
Tom Mackarel - FanCave Founder
13:50 - SANDOWN
I am surprised to see the going description reading as “good” at the time of writing. Especially given the volume of rainfall that has been seen across the country over the course of the last 48 hours and should the course hold up and the ground not come up testing then I think it makes Lulamba very opposable in graded company over a trip that is just shy of the 2 miles.
He was impressive on debut but I can see him needing a trip in time and this race could be the catalyst that encourages connections to step him up in trip. I’ve not been shy in my analysis of July Flower and her performances this season as well as the regard I hold her in as a potential Arkle contender and she and BE AWARE (5/1) pulled clear of some smart novices on Chase debut. These included 147 rated Burdett Road and 139 rated hurdler Brentford Hope who were languishing 10 lengths back and seemingly unable to get competitive.
Be Aware has flattered to deceive in the past and most notably last season when appearing to be extremely well handicapped when entering the Spring festivals but yet failing to fire on the big stage. Fences could well bring out that further improvement from him and based on his performance the last day and this trip being certain to suit, I am more than happy to take my chance with Harry already jogged up in the saddle for this race.
BE AWARE - 1 Pt win @ 5/1
14:25 - SANDOWN
HONKY TONK HIGHWAY (33/1) is a really interesting runner in here. Should she lineup for the Skelton yard. She has prior form from last season that is now starting to read very nicely and could be one who has far more progression in her mark.
A course winner last December in a listed event over the 2 mile trip at Sandown and back in second on that day was Hartington for The Tizzard’s who reappeared at Haydock last month running an incredibly competitive race but ultimately falling one place short of victory. He went down by just a neck to Electric Mason but that has franked the form and he now sits on a mark of 128.
Honky Tonk Highway was then stepped up to the 3 mile trip on her next start and again, that form is reading nicely having finished over eight lengths clear of Excello in third who now sits on a handicap rating of 127 over hurdles and she was beaten by just a neck, getting 4lbs from Derryhassen Paddy who reached a mark of 143 having placed in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle, Grade 1, at Cheltenham.
She would seemingly appear to be quite versatile where trip is concerned and off a mark of 128 she would most definitely be capable of getting involved in this contest based on her prior form provided that she can rediscover it following her pulled up effort on reappearance at Chepstow which came off the back of a 10 month layoff.
Twice a course winner and with back form that reads very nicely, she’s worth taking a chance on at a huge price for all the reasons mentioned and given the fact that she resides in the best training operation in Britain.
HONKY TONK HIGHWAY - 0.5 Pts EW @ 33/1
