Dave Nevison's Saturday tips: best bets at Sandown and Aintree

Sir Mark Prescott was happy to try this consistent mare in Group One company on the Flat and Lucy Wadham managed to get her placed at Listed level as a novice hurdler last season, but the move to the Skelton yard still takes they eye in this mares' handicap.

A wind op was felt necessary before she has run for the yard but she certainly wouldn’t be the first Skelton has improved after the procedure.

A tongue strap has been applied for the first time in place of a visor or cheekpieces and a lot of thought has gone into preparing this mare for the track. The bookies are not taking any chances with the odds, but unless there was a profound drift in her price, I expect a very good run. 

Olly Murphy’s useful second season chaser was backed into favouritism on his reappearance in a strong Carlisle handicap, but might not have been quite as ready as connections felt as he faded having travelled well for most of the race. 

Westerninthepark’s trainer could not be in better form at present and, having been dropped a pound for that last run, the seven-year-old might be the one who has a sufficient amount of improvement in him to land a race such as this.

Brian Hughes looks a strong booking and, while there is always a possibility a horse won’t take to these fences, I think the odds are fair and he might be worth chancing.

Olly Murphy runs three in this handica, but I am pretty confident Rambo T will be the strongest of them.

He has been improving for some time and his recent Tote Silver Trophy win at Chepstow highlights his progress. He has gone up 6lb in the weights for winning by just a neck, but the second has gone in twice since and others who finished behind have also won.

The form is very strong and over the same trip this afternoon on similar ground with his trainer continuing in excellent form, I feel Rambo T can round off a good afternoon on Merseyside for Murphy’s team.