Tiutchev on track for another Festival title

Cenkos made rapid improvement during the back-end of last term to finish eight lengths second to Tiutchev in the 'Arkle' and then win at Aintree in April. But a line through Frozen Groom suggests he still has a lot to find on his Cheltenham conqueror.

He's taken time to fire this season, but has run respectably under big weights and can at least reverse his Ascot form with Tiutchev's stablemate, Get Real, and perhaps even his Haldon Gold Cup form with Bellator. But, although he handles soft, the balance of his form suggests he's better on faster. Bellator will love underfoot conditions, but may still be outpaced over Sandown's quickfire fences. That also applies to Fadalko and The Outback Way, the former having disappointed at this track last year.

Last year's Extraman Henry VIII Novices' Chase Trophy was a hot contest and the sequel looks almost as good. Dusk Duel can notch up a swift double for Henderson and Fitzgerald, having been in the process of giving top Arkle candidate Best Mate a fright at Cheltenham last month when slipping up through no fault of his own two out.

He was a high-class novice hurdler last term, even getting within three lengths of Monsignor and beating Crocadee with ease. He prefers soft going, as demonstrated by his sole below-par effort when only ninth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the Festival's good ground.

Had tomorrow's ground been faster, Corniche may have caused him problems despite conceding 7lb. This second-season novice chaser twice finished a competitive third in top-class company at Aintree and Punchestown last spring.

The 2001 'Arkle' has long been trainer Paul Nicholls' aim for Ask The Natives, but this useful novice hurdler has now twice tipped up over fences.

The William Hill Hurdle would be the punting highlight but, with today's Sandown card abandoned due to the hurdle course being just unraceable, tomorrow's meeting may yet be a chase-only affair. Cue anguished cries from shrewdies who piled on the Martin Pipe-trained 'good thing' Murray River from 14-1 to as short as 3-1 this week.

Pipe has an outstanding record in this event, having won it six times since 1988 and providing the 1-2 last year in Copeland and Rodock - albeit the wrong way round for Tony McCoy and most punters' liking. This gelding likes soft ground and is open to improvement but has been raised 10lb for winning an ordinary Taunton race.

Well-regarded Hulysse Royal had something in hand last time out but hasn't tried heavy going before. Haditovski steps up in class seeking his five-timer, while One Nation will appreciate this drop in trip. But, at 33-1, Bicycle Thief offers real value - he's proven on heavy, likes a fast-paced, stiff two miles and is on a fair mark.

Sandown selections: 1.55, Dusk Duel; 2.30, Tiutchev; 3.05, Bicycle Thief; 3.40, Patras