Racing: PUNTERS' GUIDE: Edredon Bleu has power to ascend
The former top jump jockey Steve Smith Eccles analyses today's Tingle Creek Chase
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Your support makes all the difference.Celibate: A decent sort on his day, but Charlie Mann is asking a lot of his star first time out in this grade.
Challenger Du Luc: Quirky character who will find this trip too short.
Chief's Song: This consistent horse is out of his depth here.
Direct Route: Second to Lake Kariba at Exeter on his seasonal debut and will be fitter for the run. He still has a lot to find on the formbook, however.
Edredon Bleu: Impressed when winning the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, jumping well and making all. His stamina will get him home up the testing Sandown hill.
Hill Society: The Irish raider's only defeat this season was by the Gold Cup hope Dorans Pride, so his credentials look rock solid.
Klairon Davis: Needed the run behind Hill Society but has a lot of ground to make up, even with his 7lb pull.
Lake Kariba: Represents the in-form Paul Nicholls and a leading contender on the strength of his win at Exeter.
Mandys Mantino: This smart young chaser will appreciate the drop back to two miles after running in the Murphy's Gold Cup, and has each-way prospects.
Or Royal: I am not convinced that this talented grey is in love with the game, but his ability is undoubted.
Conclusion: The Tingle Creek Trophy rekindles fond memories. It was the flying chestnut who launched my career as a top jockey and this renewal promises to be one of the best two-mile chases of the year. To win at Sandown, a horse needs to jump cleanly at speed and possess enough stamina to get up the hill to the finish and I expect EDREDON BLEU to lead them home. Hill Society and Lake Kariba should also pick up some prize-money.
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