METIER is one of the most interesting horses running in Britain today.

Winner of a maiden on the flat over a mile and a half at Gowran Park in October 2019 for Andrew Slattery, he ran very well on his final run in Ireland to finish fifth in the October Handicap at Leopardstown later that year off a mark of 90, leading two furlongs out and only giving best inside the final furlong.

Bought for 150,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale two days later, he was off the track after that for a year. He made his debut for Harry Fry at Newton Abbot last October when he ran out an impressive winner of a novices’ hurdle over two and a quarter miles on heavy ground, and he stepped forward from that last time when he made all to easily land an introductory hurdle at Ascot.

He is obviously a talented horse, he is well-bred, out of a mare who won over a mile and a half and reached a rating of 107 on the flat from the family of Teofilo, and he is progressive over hurdles.

But he is fashionable and he is short for the Grade 1 Unibet Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown this afternoon. On official ratings, he is just 8lb superior to Galice Macalo, to whom he has to concede the 7lb mares’ allowance. She should probably be closer to him in the market than she is.

Progressive filly

Because Jane Williams’ horse is progressive herself. She probably would have won a listed fillies’ juvenile hurdle at Aintree on her debut last season had she not come down at the final flight. Winner of her first two races this season, she put up a career-best last time when she finished second to Benson in a listed handicap hurdle run over today’s course and distance at the Tingle Creek meeting in December.

She was keener than ideal that day, as is her wont, despite the fact that Totterdown set a strong pace. She travelled well into the home straight, hit the front just after the second last flight and looked set for victory, before Benson ran her down on the run-in.

That was a really good run. The first two pulled well clear of their rivals, and Benson added ballast to the form when he finished strongly again next time to take fourth place in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot two weeks ago off a 10lb higher mark.

The fact that Galice Macalo has proven that she can operate at Sandown, and on heavy ground at Sandown, is a significant positive in the context of today’s race. Also, there should be plenty of pace on today, Metier likes to go forward, Do Your Job likes to go forward, Shakem Up’Arry made all when he won at Ffos Las on his debut this season, Smurphy Enki went forward when he won last time at Plumpton.

So there should be a good pace on, even on the ground, and that should help Galice Macalo settle. If she does, she could go close.

Veterans’ chase

Crosspark could also go close in the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase. Caroline Bailey’s horse has been in really good form this season so far. He was only just beaten by Present Man in a leg of this veterans’ series on his seasonal return at Chepstow in October, and he again ran well in another leg of this series at Sandown in November, on good ground over today’s course and distance.

He looked a likely winner as he closed on the leader between the final two fences, but he got in tight to the last, and he just couldn’t get past the game Step Back, who made all.

That was the first time that Crosspark had run at Sandown, and he proved that he could handle soft ground there too when he went back to the Esher track in early December for the London Gold Cup. Racing off a handicap mark of 145, he ran another big race to go down by just three-quarters of a length to Doing Fine.

Again, he looked a likely winner that day when he moved on as they raced around the home turn, but he got in tight to the second last fence, ceded the lead, and just couldn’t reel Doing Fine back in.

He stays well, he won an Eider Chase and he finished second in a Scottish National, but three miles on soft ground today should bring his stamina into play. He is up another 3lb to a mark of 148, but he goes into the race in really good form, and we know that he goes well at the track.

Recommended

Galice Macalo, 2.25 Sandown, 3/1 (generally), 1pt win

Crosspark, 3.00 Sandown, 15/2 (generally), 1pt each-way