Rolling the dice at Aintree & Sandown....

Friday, 5th December 2025

Rolling the dice at Aintree & Sandown….

Two for the Watch List….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday afternoon’s biggest betting heats….

I’m on EXCELLO in the 2.40 at Aintree – up at 12s….

…. I’m on STREAM OF STARS at 16s in the 3.15 at Aintree….

…. I’m on RIVERS CORNER at 9s in the 3.35 at Sandown….

…. and I’m on TURNDLIGHTSDOWNLOW at 7s in the 1.20 at Sandown….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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The Becher Chase at Aintree (2.40) is the feature handicap tomorrow….

…. and I’m backing EXCELLO at the general 12s….

He made a big mistake when he first came over from France to join Nicky Henderson….

…. he went to Ascot and beat an off-colour Solo 6.5 lengths in a 3-runner handicap off a mark of 133….

…. and the handicapper put him up a whopping 13lbs to 146 – which was an overreaction….

It took time for Excello to get back down to that mark of 133 – which he runs off tomorrow….

…. and he turns up for his third spin over the Grand National fences – which he appears to thrive on….

He was running a cracker in last season’s Topham – when he made a mistake he couldn’t recover from two fences out….

…. and he ran another belter last month in the Grand Sefton – finishing 3/17 and beaten 2.25 lengths….

He’s still a 6yo which you could view as a big negative in a race which is traditionally won by older and more grizzled horses….

…. but he’s back down to a rating he can certainly do business off, he gets to run off a nice weight, he’s really suited to the big Aintree fences, and his yard is flying….

The only bugbear is the trip – he’s not really proven beyond 2m5f, and it might well stretch him too far….

That said he was sticking on well at the end of the Grand Sefton – which he’s entitled to strip fitter for – and there is stamina on the dam side of his pedigree….

I think he runs massive if he stays and – at the price – I’m prepared to roll the dice….

I totally get Rambo T at the top of the market for the New William Hill Racing Bet Builder Handicap Hurdle at Aintree (3.15)….

…. but at the prices I’m much more interested in STREAM OF STARS at the 16s….

For sure, he’s the oldest but one runner in a race where there’s plenty of youth on display….

…. but quite a bit of that youth hasn’t really shown anything to date this term that stimulates much confidence….

…. and the Twiston-Davies horse did run a cracker last time stepped up in trip for the first time to 2m4f….

He found one too good on the day – but he’s entitled to come on for that run….

…. and if he’s a genuine improver for a longer trip then he could well run bigger than his price suggests tomorrow….

RIVERS CORNER at the general 9s is the pick in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase at Sandown (3.35)….

He’s not got masses of experience over fences, but he was progressive at 3m for Joe Tizzard last term….

…. and he could well be a big improver for the step up to an extreme trip….

He prepped for this last time at Exeter over an inadequate 2m3f trip….

…. but still managed to finish within 5-legnths of the winner and gave an overall good impression of himself….

There’s certainly mileage in his mark of just 118 and you’d think this race has been a target for his in-form stable….

There’s rain forecast over Sandown this evening which will soften the ground up – something very much in the 7yo’s favour….

Finally, in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Sandown (1.20) I’m backing TURNDLIGHTSDOWNLOW at the general 7s….

He wandered about a bit when he hit the front last time at Kempton but reasserted himself when challenged by the runner-up….

…. and he ended up an impressive 7-length winner….

…. going away and looking every inch a horse that will appreciate and improve again for stepping up in trip tomorrow….

He’s up 9lb – after going up 10lb for his win the time before (also at right-handed Kempton)….

…. but I don’t think the handicapper’s anywhere near to getting to the bottom of him….

He’s on a roll right now and can make his presence felt again tomorrow….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd