Edwardstone will run in Tingle Creek says King - plus going and betting news

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Edwardstone confirmed to run says King

Alan King has confirmed Edwardstone will take his chance in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.55) after the trainer was happy with conditions at Sandown when walking the track on Saturday morning.

King had taken his star chaser out of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and a handicap at Ascot due to conditions being deemed too quick. Yet he was happy with Saturday's ground, which is officially described as good to soft, good in places on the chase course.

The trainer said: "We'll definitely run. It's beautiful ground, probably the loveliest ground I've walked all year."

Conditions at Sandown were unchanged on Saturday morning. Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper amended the going description after two races on Friday to reflect feedback jockeys who suggested it was riding slower than it walked.

It was a dry night at the Esher track on Friday and no watering has been added since Thursday. The ground is soft on the hurdles track.

Cooper said on Saturday morning: "We were dry and breezy overnight, and well above freezing – it's 4C first thing. As an initial look I've left the ground as soft on the hurdles track and good to soft, good in places on the chase course.

"We've got a lot of fresh ground on both courses from yesterday which walks decently. For now, there's no changes but we're anticipating a dry day with a chilly breeze. It might brighten up a bit too."

Soft in places was added to the going description of the Grand National course this morning, yet it remains good to soft on the chase and hurdles track at Aintree.

Updated at 11.30am

Market movers: Edwardstone sees support as Shishkin drifts

The news comes as Paddy Power reported interest for Edwardstone in the betting and his price has continued to shorten. He is 6-1 with the firm but is now 11-2 with some bookmakers.

A winner of five of his eight starts over fences, including in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase over course and distance last season, the eight-year-old is no bigger than 13-2 across the board having been 7-1 overnight.

Meanwhile, favourite Shishkin has eased slightly to 5-4 (from evens) with some firms. He remains at the top of the betting, ahead of Greaneteen who is a best-priced 2-1, for his first start since pulling up in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “We’re seeing a few quid for the Arkle hero against the big two with punters seemingly able to forgive him his shock defeat at Aintree and considering him too big a price to ignore today.”

Dr Kananga is a notable market mover in the day's big betting heat, the Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase (2.05) at Aintree. Ben Clarke's runner was available at 14-1 on Friday but is now 17-2 generally.

Sandown
1.10 Bridge North 100-30 (from 4-1)
2.20 Hermes Boy 5-1 (from 7-1)
2.55 Shishkin 6-5 (from evens), Edwardstone 6-1 (from 13-2)
3.30 In Rem 8-1 (from 12-1)

Aintree
12.20 Fenland Tiger 3-1 (from 4-1)
1.30 Dashel Drasher 8-1 (from 10-1)
2.05 Dr Kananga 17-2 (from 10-1)
2.40 Gunsight Ridge 7-2 (from 9-2)

Updated at 11.30am

Top stories: Tingle Creek cracker awaits

It's day three on your advent calendar but Christmas has come early for jump racing fans.

Flagship Uberalles, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star and Master Minded are among the multiple winners of Sandown's feature, the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.55), and the Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen bids to join that illustrious list having landed the Grade 1 prize last year.

He left stablemate Hitman – now a leading fancy for the King George – and Captain Guinness in his wake 12 months ago, with Nube Negra and Chacun Pour Soi running below par. This time he has the winning machine Shishkin – successful on 11 of his 13 rules starts – and Arkle hero Edwardstone to deal with. It is going to be a cracker.

Shishkin has to bounce back from his first chase defeat – his season came to an abrupt end when pulled up in the Champion Chase in March – but there have been good vibes from Seven Barrows prior to his much-anticipated return.

Edwardstone: back in action on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Edwardstone could well be a new force in the division following his stylish Cheltenham Festival victory in March. He also boasts course form having won the Henry VIII by a whopping 16 lengths last season.

Drying ground ruled the exciting eight-year-old out of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and a handicap at Ascot, meaning he arrives without a prep but remains a big player.

Champion Chase second Funambule Sivola and Maghull Novices' Chase winner Gentleman De Mee add further sparkle to this top-class event.

Elsewhere, Jonbon takes on just three rivals in the Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.45). On the same day the World Cup enters the round of 16 stage, this looks close to a penalty kick.

Cheltenham Festival winner Love Envoi is another name to note at Sandown (2.20), returning with a first start in handicap company, while at Aintree Ahoy Senor bids to get back on track in a wide-open Boylesports Many Clouds Chase (1.30) which could go to any of the six runners, including Grand National hero Noble Yeats.

The popular Snow Leopardess bids for back-to-back Becher Chase wins over the National fences (2.05), and finally at Fairyhouse, Champion Bumper ace Facile Vega makes his hurdling debut (1.52). It's Tingle Creek day with all the trimmings.

Posted at 8.30am

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Non-runners

Sandown
12.35 Peltwell
2.20 In The Air

Aintree
12.20 Bobalot, Moyode Mist
12.55 Circus Act
2.05 Now Where Or When

Updated at 10.30am

Saturday's race previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

1.45 Sandown: 'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.20 Sandown: Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

2.55 Sandown: 'If he's back to his best he's the one to beat' - Shishkin returns in Tingle Creek

3.30 Sandown: 'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

Fairyhouse: Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

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