Tingle Creek Chase betting preview

Paul Nicholls relies on Kauto Stone and Tataniano for Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in a race he has won for the last six years, writes Mikey Mumford. The Ditcheat handler has a magnificent record in this 2m contest but will face stiff competition from Irish challenger and Queen Mother conqueror Sizing Europe while Wishfull Thinking could have a say in where the £120,000 pot ends up.

Cornas Much improved effort last time when finding only the useful Medermit too good and his last victory came over course and distance earlier this year. Ran poorly in the Queen Mother and has work to do to get on terms with a couple of these; so best watched this time.

Dan Breen Not showed much since his odds on win in a weak event at Uttoxeter and has struggled against similar opposition before now. He was disqualified over course and distance in February in a three-runner affair but looks up against it here; easy to look elsewhere.

Fix The Rib Weakened quite rapidly when tackling this trip in similar company two runs back and blundered and tailed off latest. That form doesn’t instil confidence and unlikely to trouble any of these rivals.

Gauvain German raider who won easily on his reappearance and has previous course and distance winning form from 2009. Noel Fehily won this race last year and Gauvain does most of his winning on good to soft. Possibly in with a chance of minor honours providing he puts in a good round of jumping.

I’msingingtheblues Ridden out to win over a little further at Ascot last time in a lesser contest than this but was well beaten when tackling Grade 1 company at the Cheltenham Festival this year. Has a preference for good ground but others preferred.

Kauto Stone Half-brother to top class chaser Kauto Star and brother to 2m hurdle winner so very likeable pedigree. Got off the mark in impressive fashion at Down Royal last month over this same trip and improvement expected once more. Has an excellent chance and very much one for the shortlist.

Sizing Europe Queen Mother victor and although he was beaten last time after a mistake 2 out, that was over an extended 3m trip. He drops back to 2m and should be in with a good chance if the ground softens; not one too dismiss.

Tataniano Probably the stable’s first string with Ruby Walsh aboard but lightly raced sort who was mightily impressive at Chepstow latest. He was disappointing over this course and distance two runs back despite being sent off market leader but better can be expected this time from a trainer who boasts an excellent record in this race in recent years.

Wishfull Thinking Was well supported for last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and didn’t do himself justice but should be judged on his previous efforts. He scooped back-to-back wins at Punchestown and Aintree this year over a little further so likely to be thereabouts.

It is very likely Paul Nicholls representatives will be thereabouts and Tataniano just shades the verdict of his two runners. However, WISHFULL THINKING was well supported last time and couldn’t deliver but he is given another chance here to get it right. Sizing Europe is likely to be in the shake-up too dropping back to 2m. [Mikey Mumford]

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