Who is set for Tingle Creek glory? Assessing the main contenders at Sandown

Tingle: 'experience or cause to experience a slight prickling or stinging sensation.'

What springs to mind when you think of December? Christmas trees, mulled wine, carols and lights? Parties, food and plenty of booze? Not for us. December is a chance to meet old friends – heavyweights of the jumps game who have emerged from hibernation and are itching to set the world on fire once more.

On Saturday it's the Tingle Creek (2.55), one of the finest races on the calendar. Here we look at the key contenders bidding to follow in the footsteps of Sprinter Sacre, Un De Sceaux, Altior and many more by landing the Sandown feature.

Can you feel the tingle? We can . . .

Shishkin

Form 1/11P-

Strengths Up until March, Shishkin was one of racing's brightest lights – a stunning two-miler set to take the mantle of greatness off his former stablemate Altior. But then Cheltenham happened and he was pulled up in the Champion Chase before later being diagnosed with a rare bone condition. There is no doubting his class and talent, however, and if he's back to his best he will be very hard to beat.

Weaknesses From the start of the Champion Chase Shishkin never looked right, and was unable to lay a glove on his old foe Energumene before being pulled up. Henderson later revealed his rare bone condition and he hasn't been seen since. The race is likely to be defined by how – or if – he has returned to his former self.

Odds Evens

What they say Nicky Henderson, trainer (on Saturday): "We were very happy with him on Friday morning. Nico [de Boinvile] rode him and that will be the end of his work. At the moment, I'm never going to say, 'We are', but it's getting closer.

"It's shaping up to be a quality renewal with defending champion Greaneteen and young buck Edwardstone set to lock horns, but throw Shishkin into the mix and it becomes a vintage renewal."

Can Shishkin bounce back at Sandown?Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Greaneteen

Form 1251-1

Strengths Last year's winner is returning to defend his crown. Greaneteen made a striking return to action at Exeter on November 4, winning the Haldon Gold Cup off a lofty rating of 168. He has won three Grade 1s at Sandown, will appreciate the likely sound surface and Paul Nicholls' stable remains in white-hot form. His credentials are rock-solid.

Weaknesses There aren't many, but surely Greaneteen's hopes will hinge on which Shishkin turns up. He's good and he's progressive, but he'll need to be excellent to beat Nicky Henderson's returning superstar.

Odds 9-4

What they say Paul Nicholls, trainer (after the Haldon Gold Cup): "I'm half not surprised by the way he's been going. If you look at my quotes in the Racing Post you'll see I said Greaneteen has been working better than ever and was stronger than ever. We were very happy and felt he was really fit.

"We were going to have him ready and he was. That's a seriously good performance. He's never really had the credit he deserves, he'll go straight to the Tingle Creek now then we might go Champion Chase. He was only beaten two lengths in it two years ago and he's twice the horse now."

Edwardstone

Form 11112-

Strengths Last season's Arkle winner is one of the best British horses in training, and will be a leading home hope at Cheltenham next year. He was outstanding during a five-race winning streak before being downed by Gentleman De Mee at Aintree – but the hard work had already been done at Prestbury Park.

Weaknesses Edwardstone was pulled out of the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and an engagement at Ascot earlier this month due to the ground. He prefers it soft and trainer Alan King isn't one to risk a horse if he feels the going isn't suitable, so there's a big question mark over whether he will actually participate.

Odds 5-1

What they say Alan King, trainer: "We're planning to run Edwardstone on Saturday, ground permitting. It's not ideal starting back in such a big race, but we've had no other option really simply because the ground has been too quick.

"Unfortunately it doesn't look like we're going to get much rain this week so I can't be sure if he will take his chance, and I don't think I'm the only one.

"I would have thought Sandown would have to water, especially down the back straight. We'll see what the ground is like on Friday before making a final decision.

"Edwardstone's in good order and I've been happy with his prep. Nicky Henderson kindly allowed us to take him to his place on Tuesday and he worked well on the Faringdon Road gallop. He had his final school on Monday morning so he's ready to go."

Gentleman De Mee beats Edwardstone at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Gentleman De Mee

Form 2111-U

Strengths There will be no Ferny Hollow on Saturday, but Willie Mullins remains well represented and sends Gentleman De Mee across the Irish Sea. He was an impressive winner of the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree – putting Edwardstone in his place – and is sure to be a leading player in this season's two-mile division.

Weaknesses He's still only six years' old and open to plenty of improvement, but he is meeting some seasoned campaigners, particularly the eight-year-old pairing of Greaneteen and Shishkin. He was well beaten when unseating Mark Walsh at Naas on November 12 in what was an underwhelming return.

Odds 8-1

What they say Patrick Mullins, jockey: "Gentleman De Mee is good. We're hoping he's going to be a Champion Chase horse and in all those Grade 1 two-mile chases, so it would be great to start off with some good match practice before taking on the open-company horses."

Funambule Sivola

Form 9112P-

Strengths Funambule Sivola's second place to Energumene in the Champion Chase was a serious effort. He might have been beaten eight and a half lengths, but what a run from 40-1 shot. This will be another stiff task, but the victory of L'Homme Presse at Newcastle last weekend suggests Venetia Williams' string are in good form and she will have him primed to try and take down the big guns on ground he should enjoy.

Weaknesses His only run since Cheltenham came at Aintree, where he weakened badly two from home and was pulled up before the last, never able to get into contention. He's a seven-year-old so there remains plenty of potential, but it's hard to shake the feeling he could be out of contention in this type of company.

Odds 33-1

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Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.55 Sandown, Saturday)

Betfair: Evens Shishkin, 9-4 Greaneteen, 5 Edwardstone, 8 Gentleman De Mee, 33 Funambule Sivola, 100 Dunvegan

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