Henderson and Tizzard stars put reputations on the line in a classic Tolworth

The beginning of a new year is always a time of change. "New year, new me" and "out with the old, in with the new" are common themes each January.

Except it doesn't have to be like that, as Sandown's card on Saturday – another early January staple – shows. New and old can not only exist alongside each other, they can enhance each other.

The bright young things of the future take their first steps into Grade 1 company in the Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle, while in the next race the old-timers do what they know and love in the finale of the 2019 veterans' series.

There is also a sense of new and old in the first Grade 1 of the new decade. The yards of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Colin Tizzard, which dominated races at the highest level in Britain through the previous decade, are taken on by Emma Lavelle, Fergal O'Brien, Gavin Cromwell and Amy Murphy, all of whom will be looking to climb further up the ladder in the new decade.

Tizzard made the transition from dairy farmer with a few horses to Grade 1 powerhouse in the 2010s and the Tolworth played its part in his rise. He has won the race twice in the last three years and this year has another leading chance with Fiddlerontheroof.

Tizzard's contender comes into a competitive renewal as one of three novices with form in the book on a par with the ten-year average for a Tolworth winner, following a seven-length saunter over course and distance last month.

He made all that day and never came off the bridle to look every inch a Graded performer, which did not come as a surprise given he got within two lengths of last weekend's Challow Hurdle winner Thyme Hill in the Persian War in October.

While Tizzard's recent record is excellent, no trainer has won this race as often as Henderson, who has had five successes. Four of them have come in the last nine years largely with French imports light on experience in Britain. Son Of Camas, sent off the 2-1 favourite when last of 19 in a bumper at the Punchestown festival on his racecourse debut, has two starts and two wins to his name this season following bumper and maiden hurdle successes at Newbury.

That maiden hurdle was the same one taken by Buveur D'Air back when he raced in the red and pink silks of Jared Sullivan and it would be no surprise if, like him, Son Of Camas ended up in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March.

Yet for all the promise Henderson's contender faces three rivals with a higher level of form in the book. One is Fiddlerontheroof and the others are Emma Lavelle's Hang In There – part-owned by Andrew Gemmell and a three-length winner of a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time – and the other is Jeremys Flame, who represents last year's Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and gets a handy 7lb mares' allowance.

If the official handicapper is right Hang In There should beat Jeremys Flame by two lengths, with a further three back to Fiddlerontheroof - although quite where Son Of Camas fits in is unknown as he does not yet have an official figure.

With Hang In There having made virtually all when winning at Cheltenham in November, this race could be run at a riotous clip. If he and Fiddlerontheroof get drawn into taking each other on for the lead, there will be no hiding place. Nor should there be; it is the first Grade 1 of the decade after all.

Veterans chase a race to savour

It is a touch of class that Sandown are running the Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase in memory of last year's winner Houblon Des Obeaux, whose sad demise from a fatal heart attack at the track's last meeting led to the race being voided.

Houblon Des Obeaux's trainer Venetia Williams is represented by lightly raced 11-year-old Burtons Well, who has had as many career starts as years on the planet, while last year's two placed horses – Theatre Guide and On Tour – are also among the 14 runners, who have 429 career starts for 85 wins and over £1.7 million in prize-money between them.

On Tour is particularly interesting off a 7lb lower mark than last year and with a first-time visor. Perhaps more importantly, he has champion jockey Richard Johnson in the saddle for the first time. Johnson has not had a ride for Evan Williams all season and is an eyecatching booking, with stable jockey Adam Wedge on the first-string King's Odyssey.

The only one shorter in the betting is Anthony Honeyball's Jepeck, the mount of talented 3lb claimer Rex Dingle. The young rider, who returned from a fractured C7 vertebra at the end of September, enjoyed the biggest success of his career in the 2018 edition of the London National at Sandown.

Best of the rest

As always on a busy Saturday it can pay to keep abreast of all the action as you never know what might turn out to be useful. No race highlights this quite like the maiden hurdle at Cork (12.50), which has been won by the likes of Simenon, Wicklow Brave, Walk To Freedom, Chateau Conti and none other than Fakir D'Oudairies in recent years.

The handicap hurdle at 1.55 features Campeador and Flaxen Flare, who have four Cheltenham Festival appearances between them, and in the 3.05 a former festival winner is in action in the form of the now 12-year-old Josies Orders.

Josies Orders: the now 12-year-old runs in the 2m4f handicap chase at CorkCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Sandown's Listed mares' hurdle (12.45) was won by Laurina last year and while this year's renewal lacks such a star it is all the more competitive for it with the consistent Indefatigable facing four talented rivals.

The novice hurdle over two miles, five and a half furlongs at Wincanton (1.35) has been won by the likes of Ballabriggs and Harry Topper in recent years. If Fiddlerontheroof runs with credit in the Tolworth, it could prompt a market move in the maiden hurdle at Wincanton (3.50) for Arrivederci, who chased home the big-race contender last time at Sandown.

Armchair guide to seven races on ITV4

1.50 Sandown
New Unibet Uniboost Handicap Chase 1m7½f

Robbie Power is over to ride for Colin Tizzard and Tom Lacey has taken advantage by booking the man of the moment for favourite Johnbb.

2.05 Wincanton
Download The BoyleSports App Handicap Chase 1m7½f

Following Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost on a Saturday has been a potent formula and they team up here with red-hot favourite Saintemilion.

2.25 Sandown
Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Colin Tizzard and Nicky Henderson have dominated this in recent years and respectively saddle Fiddlerontheroof and Son Of Camas, with Emma Lavelle's Hang In There trying to crash the party.

2.40 Wincanton
BoyleSports This Is Betting Handicap Hurdle 2m5½f

Jonjo O'Neill won this last year and saddles the well-fancied Maypole Class with his son Jonjo O'Neill jnr in the saddle.

3.00 Sandown
Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase 3m

You will likely have backed them all at some point in their illustrious careers with former Grand National and Hennessy (back when it was called that) fancies among their number. Anthony Honeyball's Jepeck heads the market.

3.15 Wincanton
BoyleSports Handicap Chase 2m4f

When Pingshou won the Grade 1 novice hurdle over two miles at the 2017 Grand National meeting he looked full of potential and a mark of 140 here is more a reflection of jumping frailties than a lack of ability. A small field may help him.

3.35 Sandown
Read Nico De Boinville's Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle 2m

Has been won by some classy sorts in the past with Rayvin Black (twice), Call Me Lord and Monsieur Lecoq on the recent roll of honour. John Constable and Ruacana are two former Graded winners who have dropped down the weights.

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