No Douvan but get over it! It is still a Saturday to savour so just enjoy it

The milk has long left the carton, wipe away those tears.

Of course it would have been delightful to see Douvan again. His slick jumping would have been a sight for sore eyes around Sandown and we all agreed it was about time he restored his reputation. But he's not here. Get over it. This is still the most thrilling two-mile chase of the season so far.

We ate choc ices as kids on hot summer days because my parents could never afford Magnums. Look, they were not as luxurious but wasn't it still ice-cream coated in chocolate on a stick? We still savoured every lick.

There is no Douvan in the Tingle Creek, and there ain't no Altior either, but we can still savour every fence and drool over the uphill climb to the line.

Sandown spectacular

Fox Norton is now the lead in the Sandown spectacular. He deserves to play the starring role. This is no longer the same son of Lando who was trounced by Douvan in the Arkle and again at Aintree during his first season over fences. Oh no, he has moulded himself into the most magnificent performer. He has nailed every line since succumbing to Special Tiara in the Champion Chase last March.

Majestic in the Melling Chase on his first try over two and a half miles, he then pounced late to upstage Un De Sceaux back over two at Punchestown. Versatility was another characteristic he could add to his CV.

Fox Norton began the current campaign the way he signed off the last with a cosy Cheltenham victory in the Shloer Chase. He is now rated 169, 6lb better than last season's Champion Chase hero Special Tiara. He ain't no supporting character anymore. He seldom forgets his lines.

Has Paul Nicholls unearthed another A-lister, though? He has made this Saturday his own since Flagship Uberalles denied Direct Route and Edredon Blue in that epic battle back in 1999. He has won it nine times in 18 years.

Politologue: named after the term for a political science specialistCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Nicholls knows what you need to win a Tingle Creek and he seems pretty convinced Politologue is every bit as good, if not better, than Twist Magic and Dodging Bullets. But might he need to be more in the Master Minded mould to outfox the favourite?

Success for any of the remaining quintet would be an even bigger shock than when Ask Tom came up with all the answers back in 1997. But it might be wise to remember the Tingle Creek is not the house of horrors for nasty surprises. Nine of the last ten winners have come from the top three in the betting. It tends to stick to the script.

Fabulous five in Henry VIII

Wouldn't we all love to have a sneak peek at the script for the other Grade 1 on the card, the Henry VIII Novices' Chase? There could be any one of five different storylines played out and all five are perfectly plausible.

Brain Power was a 160-rated hurdler who attacked every fence with relish at Kempton, a performance that prompted David Mullins to hail him as the best novice chaser he has ever sat on.

Finian's Oscar has only suffered defeat once, by a short-head, and is two from two over fences. He is already favourite for the JLT.

North Hill Harvey has been brilliant on both his chasing starts too and has already seen off Sceau Royal, who is back seeking revenge. And what about the devilishly handsome grey Capitaine? He has just won his two races this season by 32 lengths. What a fabulous five they are.

North Hill Harvey (right) holds on Sceau Royal by a neck at Cheltenham in OctoberCredit: Alan Crowhurst

If Aintree is on your agenda today, fear not. You will see all the action from Sandown. The Jockey Club have come up with a clever double-header initiative in which all the races from Sandown will be shown live throughout the course at Aintree with commentaries too. And vice-versa. You will miss nothing.

More of the same please, Blaklion

You certainly would not want to miss Blaklion soaring over the National fences in the Becher Chase. Remember the exhibition he gave around Aintree last April? More of the same please, sir.

The Grand Sefton might not be such a gruelling test but it is surely asking a lot of Sametegal to score on only his second start in almost 22 months.

Don't forget Many Clouds either. How could you ever? He's remembered in the title of the Grade 2 chase which sees Alpha Des Obeaux take on Cloudy Dream, Definitly Red and Flying Angel. A quality quartet.

Acapella Bourgeois returns to the scene of his costly Troytown tumble as he bids to get his Gold Cup mission back on track in the valuable Foxrock Handicap Chase at Navan.

So much to see. So much to savour. So much to drool over. Stop crying over that spilled milk Douvan let drop and enjoy a spine-tingling Saturday.