Sandown round-up: Vanderpoel doubles up

Vanderpoel remained in good form with a smart victory in the Try Unibet’s Smartview Racecards Handicap Chase at Sandown.

Ridden by Ben Jones for Ben Pauling, the 9-4 shot won at Ascot last time and proved he is finding his way as a chaser with a four-and-a-quarter-length victory.

“At Ascot the last day, we took our time a little bit and he just loved having a lead,” said Jones.

“He’s shown that again today, I probably got there a little bit too soon and he’s had a good look at the last, but he was big and bold and a couple of runs ago he probably wouldn’t have come up on that stride for me.

“His confidence is high and he travelled and jumped brilliantly today.”

Sinnatra showed plenty of promise when strolling home to take the Watch The Unibet Racing Postcast Maiden Hurdle.

Dan Skelton’s six-year-old is a bumper winner who had fared well in two hurdles starts this term when second twice at Newbury.

He lined up the 1-8 favourite under Harry Skelton when making his third start, and duly got off the mark when cantering in 55 lengths ahead of the runner-up in a race that fell apart behind him.

“He’s been a work in progress, he bumped into two smart rivals on his first two runs of the year and today looked a golden opportunity,” the winning rider told Racing TV.

“He’s got the job done, ultimately I think he is a chaser but we can stick to two miles at the minute.

“He’s not a slow horse, he can really travel along quite strongly. He’s just got to mature a little bit as he’s got quite a lot of nervous energy about him.”

Triple Trade’s fruitful season continued in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase at 5-2 under Brendan Powell, with a length-and-three-quarter win for trainer Joe Tizzard.

“He had sinus issues but it was probably one of the best things that could have happened because he became reasonably well handicapped,” said Powell.

“He won at Cheltenham first time out and ran well last time, he’s ageing like a fine wine.

“He’s a horse that’s always been played late when he’s won, there were four runners but I always knew I was going to be able to get a run.

“He was quite keen today which was a nice change, he’s loving life.”