Ben Morgan’s Saturday tips – Tingle Creek Day – Sud’s Law if Skelton improver wins 

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Saturday’s action at Sandown.

12.43 – Rose set to bloom 

A wide open Mares handicap hurdle where I’m taking a chance on the completely unexposed JUST A ROSE to prove better than an opening mark of 122.

She couldn’t have won any easier on debut at Taunton when coasting home by 16 lengths, where the manner of her victory seemingly surprised connections at the time.

A tilt at the Mares Novice Hurdle at the Festival followed, but that was just a step too far too soon, and she didn’t turn up at all.

I’m surprised the handicapper didn’t want a third run to make better judgement of this mare, as she literally could be anything, but I’m going to take a punt that her Taunton performance was her true form, in which case, her mark looks very workable.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Racing news you need, subscribe to the Racing Ahead website, digital edition, or magazine from as little as 8p a day. 

Sandown 1.50 – Lump improving Thomas horse against the favourite 

There is no doubting Lulamba is the one to beat here in receipt of the weight for age allowance, but I do like the chances of LUMP SUM, who impressed me on chase debut.

He scorched clear of Jax Junior that day, who is a good horse in his own right and has since won easily, jumping well in the process.

It was undoubtedly an impressive performance and arguably better than anything he has done over hurdles, which leaves him open to any amount over fences.

He can be backed at 6/4 w/o the favourite and that just about looks the bet of the weekend to me. 

Sandown 3.00 – Sud’s Law if Skelton improver wins 

Having backed LEAU DU SUD all year last year, it was a bit of a kick in the teeth to see him win so easy in the Shloer on his reappearance, thumping the re opposing Jonbon in the process.

Clearly improved for another Summer on his back, he is another open to any more amount of improvement again here.

I do think he’s a better horse when fresh, but I don’t think this is the strongest fields and I couldn’t trust either Il Etait Temps nor Jonbon.

The Skelton improver looks the safest bet, and given the form, the Skeltons remain in who would write them off landing another big Saturday pot. 

Sandown 3.35 – Williams to hit form in Sandown finale 

The annual ‘Venetia streak’ has yet to kick off this season, but I don’t think it’s far away from starting.

Every year, the Herefordshire-based handler seems to hit a rich vein of form just as the ground changes, and although she hasn’t quite hit those heights just yet, there has been signs of an upturn in form recently.

I’m hoping TANGANYIKA takes a good step forward from his reappearance at Cheltenham last month, where he did far too much too soon.

That would have blown away the cobwebs, however, and tee him up nicely for this, where he just looks a class above his rivals.

His form at the backend of last season is top notch and there is potentially more to come from this 7-year-old after another Summer grass.

12 stone won’t make things easy, but I’m sure he will be in tip-top condition, ready to rock and roll and tee himself up for a tilt at the Welsh Grand National later in the month. 

READ MORE: 2025 Tingle Creek Festival: Tingle Creek Chase race analysis and preview