Third Time Lucki absent as unbeaten Metier sets standard in Tolworth field

Unbeaten hurdler Metier is among eight runners declared for the Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (2.25) at Sandown on Saturday, although impressive Kempton winner Third Time Lucki has been taken out of the race.

Third Time Lucki, fourth in last season's Champion Bumper and winner of three of his four starts over hurdles this season, most recently by nine lengths at Kempton last Saturday, had been installed as ante-post favourite with some firms earlier this week, but will not make a quick reappearance for trainer Dan Skelton.

The Harry Fry-trained Metier sets the standard in his absence after comfortable victories at Newton Abbot and Ascot, with Do Your Job and course-and-distance winner Adrimel also declared.

Adrimel (left): course winner was a winner at Haydock last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Jane Williams has declared smart mare Galice Macalo after her Listed handicap second over this track and trip last month, with Grandeur D'Ame, Shakem Up'arry, Smurphy Enki and Tile Tapper completing the line up, the biggest field for the Grade 1 in the last decade.

Also on the Sandown card is the popular finale to the 2020 veterans' chase series, the Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase (3.00).

Minellacelebration heads the weights for trainer Katy Price, with London National second Crosspark and last year's winner Jepeck among the 17-strong field.

Six runners have been declared for Listed Unibet 'You're On' Mares' Hurdle (12.40) including Stormy Ireland and Whitehotchillifili.

The going is soft, heavy in places on the chase track and heavy, soft in places on the hurdle course. A sharp overnight frost, where the temperature dropped to minus three degrees, was reported overnight to leave "a surface crust" to the ground, with a minimum of minus one degree forecast for Thursday night. It is forecast to stay above freezing on Friday night.

Confirmed runners and riders for the Tolworth Hurdle

1 Adrimel (Richard Johnson)
2 Do Your Job (Brendan Powell)
3 Grandeur D'Ame (rider to be confirmed)
4 Metier (Sean Bowen)
5 Shakem Up'arry (Daryl Jacob)
6 Smurphy Enki (Tom Cannon)
7 Tile Tapper (Ciaran Gethings)
8 Galice Macalo (Chester Williams)

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