Gavin Sheehan: the inside track on my rides at Sandown on Saturday

I saw in the New Year in pretty quiet fashion having been riding at Warwick during the day, and then heading onto Cheltenham on New Year's Day, so it was a fairly peaceful celebration at home in front of the television, which I’ve no complaints about! However, I didn’t pick up any Jockeys' Cup points at Cheltenham, so it definitely could have been better. I don’t usually do New Year resolutions, but this year may be different with Jockeys' Cup points on my mind!

I’ve got a few rides at Sandown for Value Racing which has come through Tom Lacey, and I’m really looking forward to them. The first is on

Walden

(12.05) in the two-mile maiden hurdle. He finished a nice third at Leicester at a big price last time out, and there should still be improvement in him as he’s very lightly raced.

Dibble Decker

(1.15) comes next, again for the same connections, in the seniors’ handicap hurdle. He’s been a great syndicate horse, winning just over £60,000 in prize money. He’s a consistent performer who is likely to always give it a go. He won at Wincanton on the first Saturday of January last year following a run to blow the cobwebs away a month before, and that’s the same formula they’ve used here, so hopefully history can repeat itself.

My first chance to claim Jockeys' Cup points comes in the Listed mares’ hurdle with

The Lord Maid

(2.25) and it’s a small field with just the six runners. My mare has run over hurdles three times now and has two wins to her name, and a second-place finish. She’s a versatile sort when it comes to ground, and she has shaped like a sharp track like Sandown shouldn’t bother her. This race could be a good opportunity to get some Black Type for her, and I’m hoping she can produce a good run.

Hardy Du Seuil

(3.35) runs in the two-mile hurdle on ITV meaning there’s more chance to gain points. He ran a nice race at Carlisle last time when second to a rival who was very much on an upward curve. He has the benefit of running a couple of good races here before, which is always helpful as you never know how a horse will handle a sharp track like Sandown.