Four runners who are sure to be suited by the easing ground at Sandown on Friday

Just over 15mm of rain has fallen at Sandown in the last 24 hours with the chase course going changing to soft, good to soft in places (from good to soft, soft in places) and the hurdles course to heavy, soft in places (from soft, heavy in places) on Friday morning. Here are four horses who will be suited by the easing conditions on day one of the Tingle Creek meeting . . .

Le Boizelo (12.45 Sandown)

This Robert Walford-trained chaser is a five-time winner and his victories have come on ground described as heavy (twice), soft (twice) and good to soft.

The nine-year-old is a dual winner from three starts at Sandown, including when landing this race last year.

Sandown card on Friday

He returns off a 7lb higher mark but should strip fitter for his reappearance at Exeter last month and has solid claims with Tommie O'Brien back on board.

Top Man (1.50 Sandown)

The lightly-raced Top Man boasts form figures of 131 on ground described as soft or heavy and was an impressive winner on his chase debut at Fontwell in October.

Chris Gordon: trainer of Top ManCredit: Edward Whitaker

Top Man, trained by Chris Gordon, is up 7lb for that ten-length success but the second has won since and another bold bid can be expected with ease in the ground to suit.

Portrush Ted (3.00 Sandown)

It is a first run since February for the talented Portrush Ted in the Pertemps Qualifier but the testing conditions on the hurdles course are in his favour.

The Warren Greatrex-trained eight-year-old won the Aintree Grade 2 bumper on soft ground two years ago and his form figures on soft or heavy ground read 1211F.

He was firmly in contention when falling at the last on heavy ground at Haydock on his final run of last term and could be reasonably well treated off a 1lb higher mark.

Penny Mallow (3.35 Sandown)

Several runners in the concluding 2m4f mares' handicap hurdle are unproven on such testing ground but it should not be a concern for Penny Mallow.

Gavin Sheehan: rides heavy ground winner Penny Mallow in the last race at Sandown on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Venetia Williams-trained six-year-old won a mares' novice hurdle at Plumpton last year on her sole start on heavy ground and has finished first and second on two of her three runs on soft.

She failed to fire on her chase debut at Warwick on her return but could bounce back in the finale.

Read our Friday previews . . .

1.50 Sandown: Keith Melrose assesses a likely favourite who's well in at the weights

2.25 Sandown: Hot News – Mulholland hope may have a bigger chance than odds suggest

3.00 Sandown: outlook appears sunny for Storm Arising in festival qualifier

3.15 Exeter: expect the unexpected in a race with history for in-running surprises

One key runner to note from each of the seven ITV4 races on Friday

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