Pipe's longshot can pay off

The Pipe-trained Escompteur is another improving youngster who could be on an attractive mark, while King Revo and the globetrotting Zabenz are also entitled to show up boldly after finishing first and fourth in a useful handicap at Cheltenham.

Idole First and last year's winner Thesis provide Venetia Williams with a strong hand in one of the toughest handicaps seen this season, but Copeland appeals as the eachway value to show his younger rivals the way home.

Admittedly, the clock is ticking now this battle hardened gelding has turned 10 years of age. That said, a glance through his record suggests Copeland has a much better chance than his long odds would suggest.

Yes, it's a long time since he ran away from Roster Booster the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury in 2002 and even longer since he got the better of a memorable battle with his stablemate Rodock in the William Hill Hurdle here in 1999.

However, any notion that Copeland is ready for his pension is surely premature. Remember, it's less than 10 months since he ran a stormer to finish third behind Sporazene in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

An even better effort followed when he forged away from the useful Benbyas and Saintsaire in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April, and he showed plenty of dash when sixth behind the fastimproving Acordion Etoile at Cheltenham in November.

The handicapper has dropped Copeland a couple of pounds on the back of that defeat. It might not be enough if he is beginning to feel his age, but at a top-priced 28-1 it's well worth paying a few quid to find out.

Nicholls and Pipe go head-to-head again during Channel 4's live coverage tomorrow in a ladbrokes.com Tolworth Hurdle which features a clutch of novices with Cheltenham Festival aspirations. Pipe supplies the probable favourite in Marcel, who sets the standard after winning eight of his last nine starts, while Nicholls feels Made In Montot is an immature sort who will only come into his own granted time and the chance to tackle fences.

Marcel looks the clear pick of the pair as far as tomorrow is concerned, but Wild Passion looks the one to be on as he bids to continue Noel Meade's run of success with his British raiders.

This good-looking five-year-old was smart on the Flat and looks set to be even better over hurdles after following a Navan win with an impressive success in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November.

The further Wild Passion went at Fairyhouse the stronger he looked. The Sandown hill looks sure to suit him, and with the brilliant Paul Carberry aboard he looks one of the best bets of the weekend.

Finally, a hint for anyone planning a trip to Sandown. Engineering works mean there will be no direct train service from Waterloo to Esher, though there will be a bus service taking racegoers directly from Tolworth to Sandown between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Tomorrow's Sandown big-race tips:

2.35 Wild Passion; 3.10 Copeland.