4.20pm Sandown Tips & Betting Preview 19/02/2016

Beg To Differ is not opposed lightly after his very creditable second at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but he hasn’t looked a natural chaser and the Sandown fences will provide his jumping with a thorough examination. Not written off is Dancing Shadow, who made a promising start to his chasing career when fourth at Exeter in November and appeared to find 2m4f too sharp when second here the following month.LOOSE CHIPS is the selection; he’s run very well on his only two starts here and can bounce back from two poor performances.

Free Tip: Loose Chips at 11/2 Each Way

BUACHAILL ALAINN – Can be excused his defeat over the big Aintree fences in December and had been in decent form beforehand; should be fine on today’s ground and current mark probably not beyond him, but his tendency to race very lazily reduces his appeal.

BEG TO DIFFER – Won three times over hurdles in early 2015; not an instant success over fences this season but his second at Cheltenham (3m2f, heavy) last month was a good performance, and today’s shorter trip won’t be a problem; sports first-time visor; one to consider.

LOOSE CHIPS – Won over C&D last year and ran a very game race when very close second at Ascot (3m, soft) in November; claims on that evidence – needs to get back on track but loves this track; could be the answer

BERTIE BORU – Posed no threat in Welsh Grand National on latest outing but put in some good late work when fourth in valuable marathon event here (3m5f, good to soft) two starts ago; ought to cope with today’s shorter trip and will appreciate the drop in class.

SANDS COVE – Suited by step up to 3m when convincing winner at Market Rasen in November and has been placed on both subsequent starts; harmed chance with some sloppy jumping at Kempton last time and remains on career-high mark, but not yet fully exposed at this trip.

DANCING SHADOW – Still a maiden after 11 starts but made promising seasonal/chase debut when fourth at Exeter (3m, soft) in November and may not have been suited by drop back to 2m4f when never-dangerous second here the following month; should run well

FOND MEMORY – Rallied gamely to prevail at Kempton (3m, good) in October but this race is stronger and he had to settle for third off revised mark at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) on latest outing; needs to find something extra to hit the target again.

ELENIKA – Ended lengthy losing run when wide-margin winner at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in December but hasn’t been in same form on either subsequent appearance and has stamina to prove on first venture beyond about 2m5f; others have more appealing profiles.

ARBEO – Benefited from drop in class when 9l winner at Huntingdon (2m7f, heavy) last month but had to work hard to reel in the front-runner that day and subsequent 9lb rise is probably enough to leave him vulnerable in much stronger company today.

myracing Forecast Prices: 5/2 Beg To Differ, 9/2 Dancing Shadow, 7/1 Sands Cove, 8/1 Buachaill Alainn, Loose Chips, Bertie Boru, Fond Memory, 12/1 Arbeo, 14/1 Elenika

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