ARCTIC Bresil is a fascinating contender for the feature race at Sandown this afternoon, the Unibet Tolworth Hurdle.

Narrowly beaten in a point-to-point when he was with Sean Doyle, Henry de Bromhead’s horse was impressive in winning his maiden hurdle at Cork on Hilly Way Chase day early last month. He led from early that day, he travelled like the most likely winner from a long way out, and he kept on well from the third last flight, despite making a mistake at the second last, to win well. He pinged the final flight, and he stretched out willingly on the run-in, leaving the impression that he had more in hand over runner-up Mercurey than the five-and-a-half-length winning margin.

Irish-trained horses have a good recent record in the Tolworth Hurdle from minimal representation, with Jeremys Flame finishing second to Fiddlerontheroof in 2020 and Yorkhill winning the race in 2016. The bookmakers haven’t taken any chances with this Irish raider, but he is a big player in what should be a highly informative race.

The Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase series final has a better shape to it from a betting perspective. You can understand why Prime Venture has been popular. He won the race last year, and he gets to compete off the same handicap mark this year. But he was beaten in all four subsequent races last year, including back at Sandown in Hewick’s Bet365 Gold Cup. His two runs this season have both been over hurdles, it is probable that he is being geared up for today, but the market has taken note.

By contrast, it appears as if Saint Xavier is going into the race a little under the radar. Richard Hobson’s horse ran well in a veterans’ chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting over two and a half miles, a trip that is short of his best. Prominent from early that day, he just got out-paced when they quickened around the home turn, and he kept on up the run-in to finish fourth, just over five lengths behind the winner Magic Dancer.

Dropped by 2lb by the handicapper for that run, he stepped forward from that last time at Haydock when he ran out an impressive winner of a leg of this series. He appreciated the step back up to three miles that day, and the move to easier ground. He jumped into the lead at the fourth last fence, past Blaklion, and he stayed on well over the last three fences, always doing enough to hold Up Helly Aa King at bay. Back in third place that day was The Two Amigos, who went and won the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow over Christmas off the same handicap rating.

The handicapper raised Saint Xavier by 5lb for that win, but, apart from the fact that that leaves him still 24lb lower than his peak – most of his rivals are also racing off marks that are significantly lower than their respective peak ratings – he almost certainly won with more in hand than that last time, the form of the race is working out well, and we know that he goes into today’s race in good form.

He has never run at Sandown, but his forward-going style of racing should suit the track well. He goes well on soft ground, this three-mile trip is just about ideal for him, and Lilly Pinchin has got on really well with him on the three occasions on which she has ridden him.

Wincanton

Kiltealy Briggs is only fifth best of the six runners in the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase at Wincanton according to the market, but that may under-estimate his chance at least a little.

Jamie Snowden’s horse did well to finish fourth in a hot handicap chase at Aintree last time. Sent forward from early that day, he did well to keep on as well as he did to finish fourth in a race in which the hold-up horses came to the fore. The three horses who finished in front of him were all held up. He did best of the prominent racers.

On his previous run, his seasonal debut, he made all the running in a two-mile-five-and-a-half-furlong handicap chase at Market Rasen, he kept on well to get home by almost two lengths from Guy, who travelled well for a long way in a handicap chase at Ludlow next time.

Kiltealy Briggs is only 2lb higher now than he was when he won at Market Rasen.

He has never run at Wincanton, but his best runs are at right-handed tracks, Market Rasen and Ascot and Musselburgh and Kempton, this intermediate trip is a good trip for him, and the good to soft ground should be ideal.

Also, three of his five rivals like to be held up in their races and, as long as he doesn’t get into an early battle for the lead with Elixir De Nutz, he could enjoy a good run through the race.

Recommended

Saint Xavier, 1pt each-way, 3.00 Sandown, 8/1 (generally)

Kiltealy Briggs, 1pt win, 1.30 Wincanton, 6/1 (generally)