Five horses to follow at Sandown and Haydock on Saturday

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

Best odds: 5-1. 

I always think it is noteworthy when a trainer opts to run a bumper performer in Listed or Graded company, and is a sign that they believe a youngster is above average. 

Sorceleur fits that bill having finished third in a Listed Cheltenham bumper last year plus ran well in a Grade Two bumper at Aintree three months later. 

He impressed when winning a couple of novice hurdles on good ground at the start of the season and clearly relishes faster conditions, so was probably not at his best on his next four outings with give in the ground. The selection still ran a good race to be beaten less than six lengths in the Betfair Imperial Cup two starts ago, though, and that looks strong form plus also gave him a sighter of this course and distance. 

Nicholls said in his Betfair column that Sorceleur "hated" the ground on that occasion, and the bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle "has been his aim for a long time". 

The five-year-old caught the eye 11 days ago when third behind Serious Challenge, who had the run of the race, off level weights at Southwell, and is 10lb better off with that rival here. He was also not given the hardest time under pressure there, and it appeared a stepping stone to this contest. 

The ground will be in his favour on Saturday, and Nicholls has won two of the past five renewals of this £100,000 contest, so his charge looks to tick plenty of boxes here, and should be capable of going close off a rating of 118 which I believe underestimates him.

Tipster: Danny Archer.

Best odds: 9-2.

Bolted up under Sean Bowen at the track last time out, and clearly has a penchant for Sandown. His jumping has improved ten-fold over the season and he is also clearly at home on quicker ground. Raised 5lb for his latest win there is still scope for tons more improvement and he can strike on a special day for Sean Bowen, who is set to be crowned Champion Jockey at Sandown on Saturday.

Tipster: Sam Turner.

Best odds: 11-8.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 7-1.

Belsito has had another wind operation since the end of last season, and it won’t have needed to improved him much more for him to get back to winning ways here. 

Kevin Ryan has started the season in decent form, and Belsito has bagged a decent draw in stall three for this very tight sprint. 

The likely strong pace will suit him, and he responded well to the application of cheekpieces on his final three starts last season. Ground on the easy side of good will also be fine for this five-year-old. 

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 14-1.