Horse racing tips: Sandown best bets from Dave Nevison

I love the Grand Military day at Sandown, as in 2004 I leased one of my favourite horses Mercato to the Sturgis family for the day and he won the big race under Rupert Sturgis.

It was not my finest hour, however, as fired up by being royally entertained by the army and egged on by my press room photographer friends I ignored the terms of the lease and went up to collect the prize myself - much to the annoyance of the rider’s father! I apologised when I realised that I had stolen the family’s moment and apologise to myself every year the race comes by.

The feature is often not the most competitive event nowadays and we look to have a strong favourite this year once again.

1.50 Sandown: Mayhem Mya

I am taking a chance on the jockey in this handicap confined to military amateur riders, but I’m hoping that connections have done their research as Private Vincent Webster looks to have landed on the best handicapped horse in this modest race. Webster is riding for David Pipe in the Grand Military later on so I am sure he will be competent.

Mayhem Mia has improved with each run this season and it was a good effort last time running a respectable second to a progressive Paul Nicholls runner with the re-opposing rival Kannapolis behind. That race was over this course and distance so hopefully Mayhem Mia can guide the rider around the track to some extent!

Trainer Chris Honour’s last runner was a winner so hopefully the yard is in form.

3.00 Sandown: Broken Halo

He is younger than most of his rivals here and favoured by the weights in this non handicap. He looks a potential ‘good thing’.

Broken Halo would have beaten Rolling Dylan much easier in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup a few weeks ago but for a mistake at the last where his rider - who is very accomplished in this grade - lost his irons and had to regain momentum to go on to win. His jumping is not always the best and we can expect a mistake along the way, but he looks a ‘good thing’ to my mind and this will be his third run over course and distance this term so I am hoping he can navigate his way around here by now.

He will be a short price, but it is a thin day for betting and he looks by far the best in this.

3.35 Sandown: West To The Bridge

I am not sure the handicapper would have dropped him 1lb for his latest run if he had seen what the winner did at the weekend.

West To The Bridge was beaten seven lengths by Dargiannini but that horse is clearly back on song and potentially very useful. He went from the front at Uttoxeter, tactics which have served him best in the past, and being ridden up with the pace is generally the way to win hurdles at Sandown.

West To The Bridge was on a roll when he won this race last year from a 1lb-higher mark but his good run last time signalled a return to form and Harry Skelton takes over in the saddle now.

He looks set to go close.