Five to follow on Saturday at Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown

Tipster: Dave Nevison

Best odds: 11-1.

There are a few runners in this who have a poor strike rate given their ability, including the well-fancied Afadil. 

Static may be worth chancing at big odds. This five-year-old has not taken to fences but has run a couple of decent races over hurdles on his past couple of starts. 

He goes well for Donald McCain’s claimer, Charlie Maggs, and he is back on here. His 5lb claim compensates Static being a couple of pounds out of the weights. 

Tipster: Andy Stephens

Best odds: 20-1.

Made no impact on his belated return in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in mid-November but that looked a simple case of getting the show back on the road after almost two years off as the habitual front-runner was anchored in rear and pulled up before three out. 

It was a completely different story in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby over Christmas when he led from the start and looked the likely winner for much of the home straight only to get a bit weary from two out, with his fate already sealed when he bungled the final fence. 

He shaped as if a lot of his old powers were intact, and it could be that he was simply still short of peak fitness. It was his first “proper” race since a sterling effort in the 2023 Tingle Creek, when Jonbon only collared him going to the last. 

He is in his element when the mud is flying and Sandown suits exuberant front-running 2m chasers such as him. The handicapper had him running to a rating of 160 in the Tingle Creek but, having dropped him another 3lb for his latest effort, he’s able to run off 145 on Saturday.  And he is still only a nine-year-old, plus a lightly raced one into the bargain. 

Tipsters: Harry Allwood & Alex Scott

Best odds: 4-1 (advised 6-1 ante-post by Harry).

Holds strong claims of recording back-to-back victories, despite failing to show his best over this course and distance last time out when appearing to have plenty in his favour. 

However, given it was his first start for 60 days, the eight-year-old may have lacked full fitness there and, in hindsight, that outing could have been a prep run for this contest.

He also appeared distracted by a rival (Jet To Vegas) who wandered approaching each obstacle, and jumped out to his right (you can watch the replay above). That possibly hindered The Kalooki Kid's jumping, which is usually his asset, as he failed to gain any lengths at his obstacles, according to the RaceiQ data.

For context, the RaceiQ data shows he recorded a Jump Index score of 8.5/10, which gained him over 12 lengths, when landing the 2025 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase on just his third outing over fences plus gained 17 lengths via his jumping en route to an impressive victory at Doncaster last season.

He's usually a strong-traveller, too, and was on the backfoot a long way from home when last seen, so it is wise to think he will take a step forward from that outing. I also expect a repeat bid here has been the plan for a while, and it is worth noting that last year's contest looked a strong renewal, with Saint Segal boosting the form significantly afterwards.

Tipster: Martin Dixon

Best odds: 9-2.

John McConnell has won two of the past four renewals of this staying contest, including with Intense Approach last year, so it's obviously a race the yard target.

I was impressed with Walks The Talk when she won at Kelso two starts ago where she made all, and jumped really well. She also clocked a decent time there, too. 

She only managed fifth next time out at Haydock, but I think the shorter trip was against her, and she steps up to three miles for the first time here, which I think will be much more suitable.

She's also in receipt of weight from the favourite, Absolutely Doyen, and I think Walks The Talk is the value play at the general 9-2 on offer. 

Tipster: Johnny Ward

Best odds: 6-1