By Anita Chambers
Eldorado Allen can secure his first victory in nearly three years when he lines up in the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
Joe Tizzard’s runner has not hit the mark since winning the 2022 Denman Chase, when he beat Grade One performers in Royale Pagaille and Clan Des Obeaux in what was his first try at a near three-mile trip.
Connections subsequently dropped him back in distance for the Ryanair at Cheltenham, when he proved no match for Allaho in third, and while he has turned in plenty of meritorious placed efforts in really classy heats subsequently, Eldorado Allen has continually found one or more of his rivals too good.
Given a wind operation and lengthy break following a Grand National run last April, Eldorado Allen shaped with promise when second on his return in a qualifier for this final at Warwick in November, before finding two and a half miles around Cheltenham a bit sharp last time.
He did not run a bad race in third but returning to three miles here off a reduced mark of 149, Eldorado Allen can snap his winless streak at the age of 11.
Della Casa Lunga makes a swift return to action in the Try Unibet’s New Smartview Racecards Mares’ Hurdle.
The seven-year-old struck gold for trainer Clive Boultbee-Brooks at Kempton last week, making all over three miles in a competitive handicap contest.
She drops back to two and a half miles in this Listed heat but has won over the trip previously and her current rating of 138 puts her ahead of the field here.
Doddiethegreat also ran at Kempton last week but he got no further than the first hurdle after getting distracted by a rival whipping round at the tape, making him miss the break entirely.
Having previously been found out in the jumping department over fences, Nicky Henderson had returned Doddiethegreat to hurdles company that day and he again sticks with the smaller obstacles.
A mark of 129 in the Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle puts him 2lb below his last winning perch and this certainly does not look as tough a task as some of his outings last term.
Henderson’s Khrisma is also worth a look in the opening Watch Unibet Racing Post Postcast Maiden Hurdle.
A Grade Three bumper winner in France back in 2023, the five-year-old makes her debut for Seven Barrows after a long break.
Another senior success can go to the Tizzard team via Le Ligerien in Wincanton’s Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase.
He has proved most capable in this company and impressed when easily winning by five and a half lengths at Lingfield last month.
Moon Over Miami makes a low-key return in the £30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap at Southwell.
Connections thought highly of him last year after winning each of his two starts, with the form from both races working out quite nicely.
An initial mark of 91 could be workable for Ralph Beckett’s charge.
Saturday racing tips
CORK: 12.30 Kiss Will, 1.05 Casheldale Lad, 1.40 The Story So Far, 2.15 Deons Diamond, 2.50 John The Diva, 3.25 Where’s Frankie, 3.58 Introversio.
SANDOWN: 12.05 Khrisma, 12.40 Ostrava Du Berlais, 1.15 Doddiethegreat, 1.50 Roccovango, 2.25 Della Casa Lunga, 3.00 ELDORADO ALLEN (NAP), 3.35 Hardy Du Seuil.
SOUTHWELL: 2.47 Mdawi, 3.22 Shaka, 4.03 Fact Or Fable, 4.35 Misty Sky, 5.05 Moon Over Miami, 5.35 Bomb Squad, 6.05 Sir Maxi, 6.35 Last Outlaw, 7.05 A Fine Claret.
WINCANTON: 12.23 Mountain Mike, 12.58 Somethingtosomeone, 1.33 Take Your Time, 2.05 St Lukes Chelsea, 2.40 Le Ligerien, 3.15 Love Of Neymore, 3.50 Illogical Logic.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.20 Northstead Gardens, 4.50 Twilight Guest, 5.20 Miakoda, 5.50 Backspin, 6.20 Wonder, 6.50 Circles, 7.20 City Cyclone, 7.50 Cynosure, 8.20 Masqool.
DOUBLE: Eldorado Allen and Doddiethegreat