Saturday horses to follow at Sandown
12:45 1m7 1/2f Try Unibet's Smartview Racecards Handicap Chase
Vanderpoel looks an excellent horse to keep onside tomorrow following an impressive breakthrough success over fences last time out, a performance that suggested there is still plenty more to come from him in this sphere. An Irish point winner earlier in his career, he always looked the type to do well once sent chasing and that promise was fully realised when he made it third time lucky over fences with a decisive 7-length victory in a competitive novice handicap at Ascot over 2m1f.
That success was achieved commanding fashion. Vanderpoel travelled strongly throughout the race, jumped with fluency and accuracy, and had plenty in hand when asked to go and win his race. The drop back to 2m clearly played to his strengths, allowing him to use his natural pace while still finishing powerfully. His jumping was a standout feature that day, particularly at speed, and that bodes extremely well for a similar test tomorrow, with this track expected to suit.
The handicapper has reacted with an 8lb rise, but that looks more than fair given how comfortably he disposed of his rivals. Importantly, he still appears to be a progressive type, and his profile suggests further improvement is likely as he gains more experience over fences. The Pauling stable has a strong record of improving horses for chasing, and Vanderpoel fits that pattern perfectly, having taken a notable step forward with each run in this discipline.
Conditions should also play firmly into his hands. He has already shown himself to be effective from 2m up to 2½m and acts well on good to soft ground, with drying conditions expected to be ideal. While there are respected rivals in the line-up, including recent course winners and progressive types, several could find themselves involved in a pace battle, which may set the race up for Vanderpoel similar to the last day.
All told, Vanderpoel ticks a lot of boxes, progressive profile, strong recent form, suitable conditions and a manageable rise in the weights. With his confidence boosted after that Ascot success, he looks a very solid horse to follow and could well be capable of taking another step forward tomorrow.
Horse to Follow: Vanderpoel
Odds: 7/4 with BetMGM
1:15 2m4f Try Unibet's Acca Boosts Seniors' Handicap Hurdle
Dominic’s Fault looks a very interesting horse to follow tomorrow and could be set to show a significant step forward now conditions look far more in his favour. A lightly raced and relatively unexposed type for this level, he stands out as one who still has plenty of upside compared to many of his rivals, particularly now expected to be sharper for his recent reappearance.
Last time out at Newbury, Dominic’s Fault was well beaten in what proved to be a warm handicap hurdle, but that run can be marked up when taking the wider context into account. He had been off the track for around ten months and shaped as a horse very much in need of the outing, never quite travelling with his usual fluency but still getting valuable match practice back into his legs. Prior to that, he had been in solid form and there were enough positives in his profile to suggest that performance is best forgiven.
Importantly, he is now expected to come on considerably for that run, and connections have taken further steps to help him progress. A wind operation has since been carried out and he also sports a tongue-tie for the first time, both of which could bring about marked improvement, particularly late in his races. These changes suggest connections feel there is more to come and are keen to help him fulfil his potential.
Dominic’s Fault has already shown he is effective over these trips and is well suited by soft, good to soft ground, conditions he is likely to encounter tomorrow. He improved notably to win a 2m handicap at Lingfield last December, and he was still very much in contention when unfortunately brought down three out over this course and distance the following month, a run that hinted at further progress had he been able to complete.
With several of his rivals more exposed and fully known quantities, Dominic’s Fault appeals as the type who could take a sizeable step forward now fully tuned up. If the wind operation and first-time tongue-tie have the desired effect, he could easily outperform his current mark Dominic’s Fault looks a very solid horse to follow and one who could make his presence felt sooner rather than later.
Horse to Follow: Dominics Fault
Odds: 3/1 with BetMGM
1:50 2m4f Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase
Triple Trade makes plenty of appeal tomorrow as he drops into a veterans’ race for the first time, a move that could unlock further success for a horse who remains very well treated on historical evidence. A seasoned campaigner at the age of ten, he has shown he retains plenty of ability and arrives here in solid form following a creditable effort in a strong Cheltenham handicap just three weeks ago.
Last time out, Triple Trade finished third in what was a good-quality contest, running to his mark and doing best of those who came from off the pace. That effort can be marked up, as the race did not develop ideally for his running style, yet he still finished strongly to be beaten around ten lengths off a mark of 128. It was another clear indication that he remains competitive in handicaps of this nature and is far from in decline.
Prior to that, he scored by a narrow margin at Cheltenham over 2 miles, showing plenty of determination to get back to winning ways after a winless spell last term. That success came off a 5lb lower mark, but crucially, Triple Trade has defied higher ratings in the past, which suggests his current mark remains workable. His overall profile indicates he is still well treated on old efforts and capable of delivering when conditions fall right.
Versatility is another major positive. Triple Trade has proven effective over trips ranging from 2 miles up to 2½ miles and stays the distance well, which should stand him in good stead now stepping back up in trip. He also remains in form and has shown he handles these conditions, having won on soft and decent ground in the past.
This switch into a veterans’ race looks a smart piece of placement by Joe Tizzard. He will be facing rivals of a similar age rather than younger, progressive types, and that could allow his experience and proven class to come to the fore. While there are dangers in the field, including recent winners such as Can You Call and Jet Plane, Triple Trade’s consistency, proven form and workable handicap mark make him a standout candidate.
All things considered, Triple Trade looks a very solid horse to follow in this new discipline. With conditions likely to suit and his mark still offering room to manoeuvre, he has every chance of playing a leading role and could be set to capitalise on this opportunity.
Horse to Follow: Triple Trade
Odds: 5/2 with BetMGM
2:25 2m4f Unibet Mares' Hurdle (Listed Race)
Nurse Susan looks a fascinating mare to follow tomorrow as she continues her resurgence for Dan Skelton and bids to build on an eye-catching success at Cheltenham last time out. A lightly raced 9-year-old, she has always shown plenty of ability when things fall right and her latest performance suggested she remains firmly on an upward curve at this stage of her career. She bounced back to her very best when landing a mares’ handicap at Cheltenham over 2m4f on good to soft ground, adding to her success in the same race back in 2023. That victory not only highlighted her fondness for the track, but also took her overall career record to an impressive five wins from eleven starts, underlining how effective she can be when returned in peak condition. Importantly, she travelled strongly throughout and found plenty when asked, marking her down as a mare full of confidence.
That win also carried extra significance, as connections were quick to mention the Coral Cup as a potential target afterwards. With that race in mind, Nurse Susan would likely need to be winning again to guarantee her place in the field, so there is every chance she will be fully primed for another bold showing. On the balance of her form prior to her layoff, she still looks fairly treated under these conditions and remains a well-handicapped mare with more to offer.
Versatility is another major positive in her favour. Nurse Susan has proven herself effective on varying ground conditions and over this sort of trip, giving her connections flexibility and making her a reliable proposition regardless of how conditions develop. While she is worse off at the weights with Jubilee Alpha in this rematch, that rival must still prove she can consistently deliver at this level, whereas Nurse Susan arrives here in peak form.
There are respected dangers in the line-up, notably That’ll Do Moss, who sets a high standard on last season’s top-level Irish form, and the progressive Sunset Marquesa, who had a bit in hand here last time and could improve again. However, Nurse Susan’s proven form, current wellbeing and clear target make her stand out as one of the main players.
With momentum on her side and a clear objective ahead, Nurse Susan looks a very strong horse to follow and could easily continue her fine record in this sphere.
Horse To Follow: Nurse Susan
Odds: 9/4 with BetMGM
3:05 3m Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase (2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final)
Credo looks the horse to follow tomorrow as she returns to conditions that have brought out the best in her in the past, most notably with the reapplication of the visor. A consistent and reliable performer in staying handicap chases, she has already proven herself highly effective in this exact type of contest and now looks well placed to strike again from a very workable mark.
Although she is yet to fully hit top gear this season, Credo has not been disgraced in either of her two runs so far. Most recently at Ascot, she was poorly positioned throughout and made a couple of mistakes, yet still shaped with plenty of credit when finishing fourth, beaten 17 lengths, doing best of those who were held up in a race that didn’t play to her strengths. That effort suggested she retains plenty of ability and is capable of better when things fall right.
The return of the visor is a major positive. Credo has an excellent record when equipped with this headgear, having won two of her four starts in it, with those victories coming at Exeter and Carlisle last February and March. Notably, both wins came in legs of this same veterans’ series and were achieved under Harry Cobden, highlighting how effective this setup can be for her. The headgear clearly sharpens her focus and helps her see out her races more strongly.
Trip and ground conditions hold no fears. Credo is effective over trips of 3 miles and beyond and has shown she can handle any ground, making her a dependable option regardless of how the race is run. She was a dual winner in veterans’ events last spring and has continued to acquit herself well against similar opposition, including a solid third behind Gustavian at Wincanton earlier this season in the Bager Bear.
Crucially, she now finds herself just 1lb above her last winning mark, which makes her very well treated on previous form. In a competitive field featuring other respected names, Credo’s proven record in veterans’ races, strong staying credentials and favourable handicap position make her stand out.
With the visor back on, a lenient mark and signs that she is close to peak fitness, Credo looks a strong contender and a horse well worth following, particularly if able to reproduce the form that has seen her thrive in this series before.
Horse To Follow: Credo
Odds: 9/2 with BetMGM
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