Punting pointers: Apple's Shakira likely to take big bite out of market

2.25 Sandown
Jumeirah Hotels And Resorts December Handicap Hurdle (Listed) | 2m | 4yo+| ITV4/RUK

Most eyes will instantly be drawn to the Nicky Henderson-trained Apple’s Shakira in this Listed handicap hurdle.

For much of last season, the four-year-old filly was rated banker material by some punters for the Triumph Hurdle after starting off her jumping career in Britain with a Cheltenham hat-trick.

However, a tendency to pull hard saw the 6-5 favourite finish only fourth of nine in the Triumph, and she also cost favourite backers dear when third to stablemate We Have A Dream in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April.

The fact she starts her second campaign for Henderson in this sort of grade ensures plenty of followers once again, and the trainer said: “She’s in good form. She was very good around this time last year, but then got very buzzed up in the Triumph.

“We put the hood on at Aintree and we’re retaining it this time. She’s very lazy at home.”

Henderson has won this race four times in the last ten years with Brain Power (2016), Snake Eyes (2014), Petit Robin (2012) and Tasheba (2009).

Totterdown could defy hike in the weights

For those who pay close attention to the ‘horses for courses’ theory, the Richard Phillips-trained Totterdown could prove a good starting point.

The seven-year-old won on his first visit to Sandown, ploughing through similar conditions to those he is likely to encounter on Saturday to beat Nelson’s Touch by six lengths last month.

A 10lb hike in the weights will make life tougher this time, but Totterdown does not have many miles on the clock ahead of just his 11th career start and it is a fair bet there is more to come from him.

Daniel Hiskett, who was in the saddle for Totterdown’s three wins – he also won at Huntingdon and Hereford earlier this year – takes 5lb off the son of Pasternak's back.

What they say

Gary Moore, trainer of Eragon De Chanay and Thounder
Eragon De Chanay is a distance winner at Sandown. He’s had a big hike in the weights, but is in great order. I think he’ll enjoy the ground and the lad [Niall Houlihan] takes off a valuable 10lb. Thounder is making his seasonal reappearance and he’ll be better for the run.”

David Pipe, trainer of Friday Night Light
He's got some good form from last year and we've been waiting to run him for a while. He had a wind op during the summer and is at the right end of the weights so he has an each-way chance.

Sam Stronge, husband of Ali Stronge, trainer of Ardmayle
He’s a nice horse who won in good style at Chepstow on heavy ground at the end of last season. He will appreciate the conditions at Sandown, but is possibly being thrown in at the deep end for his first start of the campaign.

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