HOPEFULLY Sandown will beat the elements today. It’s not looking bad. It’s certainly looking more promising now than it was on Thursday, when the frost covers were down and the prospects were bleak.

Ballymoy is back for more in the 888Sport Heroes Handicap Hurdle. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse has been seriously progressive this season, winning at Chepstow in October and at Haydock in December and at Ascot in January.

His only defeat this season was in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury in early December, when he left the strong impression that he would appreciate a step up in trip from two miles.

So he duly stepped up to two and a half and, hey presto, he won at Haydock and he won at Ascot.

He is up again in trip to almost three miles today, and that should not be a negative. On the contrary, it could be a positive. He raced at Ascot last time as if he would get further. But he is up another 5lbs in the handicap, and he is short, and that Ascot race was only two weeks ago.

It would not be at all surprising to see Ballymoy make it four wins from five runs this season but, at a bigger price, Keeper Hill may represent better value.

Warren Greatrex’s horse failed to complete in his last three runs over fences last season but, returned to hurdles this term, he has resumed his progress.

He did well to finish second to Aaron Lad in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in December under top-weight, he stayed on nicely that day after getting a little out-paced when they quickened.

Raised 3lbs for that run, he stepped forward last time in running out an impressive winner of a handicap hurdle at Warwick on Classic Chase day.

The handicapper has raised him by another 5lbs to a mark of 144, but he merited a hike of that type of magnitude. He had the talented First Assignment back in third that day, and runner-up Oh Land Abloom ran well to finish second in another handicap hurdle back at Warwick nine days later.

Keeper Hill travelled like the most likely winner from a long way out that day, and he made a mistake at the final flight. He probably had a fair bit more in hand than the three-length winning margin.

This is tougher, a step up in grade and a higher handicap rating, but he is progressive and he stays well and he handled soft ground well as a novice hurdler.

Lord Napier could improve for a step up to three miles, having run a cracker in the Lanzarote Hurdle, when he shaped as if a step up in trip would suit. Casko D’Airy was impressive in winning at Ascot before Christmas, he is lightly raced and progressive and he was well backed yesterday. Mr Antolini didn’t run badly in the old Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot last time over a distance that is probably sharper than ideal these days, and he is one for one at the track, having won the Imperial Cup last March. All are dangers but, at the prices, Keeper Hill could be the value.

MASTERS HANDICAP

Belami Des Pictons is favourite for the 888Sport Masters Handicap Chase, but he is 9/2 or 5/1 favourite, and that is more than fair.

Venetia Williams’ horse has not run since he got to within two and a half lengths of Waiting Patiently in the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle in November 2017, but he was ready to run in Cyrname’s race at Ascot two weeks ago, and a long absence is never a worry with the Venetia Williams horses.

There are lots of positives with Belami Des Pictons. He has won three of his five chases, and that run against Waiting Patiently – who is now rated 170 after just three runs since – gives him a massive chance off a mark of 146.

He goes well fresh, his record after a break of 140 days or more for Venetia Williams reads 142, and it is significant that Charlie Deutsch gets off Houblon Des Obeaux – on whom he won the big veterans’ chase final over this course and distance a month ago – in order to ride him.

RECOMMENDED

KEEPER HILL 1 point each-way, 9/1 (generally)

BELAMI DES PICTONS 1 point each-way, 9/2 (generally)