Sandown Virgin Bet Contenders Day predictions: Gerri Colombe a noteworthy presence in feature

- Virgin Bet sponsors Sandown's Contenders Day card on Saturday 
- There are seven races from 12.35pm to 4.03pm, including Grade 1 action 
- Chasing Fire to win 12.35pm 
- Twinjets to win 1.10pm 
- The Widdow Maker to win 1.45pm 
- Gerri Colombe to win 2.20pm 
- Storm Nelson to win and each-way 2.55pm 
- Celebre D'allen to win 3.30pm 
- Wrappedupinmay to win 4.03pm

Sandown Park boasts Grade 1 action on Saturday afternoon as the Virgin Bet Contenders Day takes place at the Esher course.

Their highlight is the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at 2.40pm where the protagonists will be aiming to match up to last year's impressive scorer and subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner, L'homme Presse.

Action at Sandown on Saturday is from 12.35pm-4.03pm and our racing expert has been looking through the card.

12.35pm - Virgin Bet Novices' Hurdle (2m)

CHASING FIRE is 3-3 under rules and has cruised to a pair of hurdles wins around Market Rasen this season for trainer Olly Murphy. 

Those two wins have not amounted to a lot in terms of what he has faced, but his Wetherby bumper win last March was a good race and he has done things very easily, ensuring this £170,000 purchase is fancied to go on winning. 

Taunton winner Iliko D'olivate for Paul Nicholls and Gary Moore's French recruit Stenatee may be the pair that give him most food for thought.

Racing Post selection: Chasing Fire

1.10pm - Virgin Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

Hat-trick seeking TWINJETS for Milton Harris and Joe Tizzard's I Shut That Door, a winner last time at Taunton, appear the pair to focus on here. 

The former had re-opposing Twin Power nine lengths behind at Plumpton last month on his step up to this sort of trip, while his previous December success at Leicester has been boosted emphatically by the pair that finished behind him. 

With Adrian Heskin on the McNeill Family-owned Twin Power for the champion trainer here, Harry Cobden is free to continue his association with Twinjets and they can remain unbeaten together.

Racing Post selection: Twinjets

1.45pm - Virgin Bet Dolos Handicap Chase (1m7½f)

Lingfield winner Fast Buck is stepping into a stronger contest now, while Dolos drops in class and has to be of interest for the champion trainer despite his weight burden. 

Frero Banbou has not kicked on from his Ascot comeback this term and so a chance is taken on THE WIDDOW MAKER for Joe Tizzard. 

He has been running well this season and is on a good mark, especially if a recent wind operation has a positive effect.

Racing Post selection: The Widdow Maker

2.20pm - Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m4f)

Irish runners in this race are not that common and so it is noted that Gordon Elliott sends unbeaten GERRI COLOMBE across, instead of waiting 24 hours for a Grade 1 opportunity at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

He looked really strong in this grade at Limerick over Christmas and will not mind testing ground. 

Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls are well-represented by Balco Coastal and Monmiral respectively but they would no doubt have preferred to see this fascinating Irish raider staying at home.

Racing Post selection: Gerri Colombe

2.55pm - Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap, 2m7½f)

Remastered has been in cracking form over fences this season since he won at Aintree in his hurdles comeback in November and David Pipe's charge races here from a 4lb lower mark than when scoring at Kempton over the larger obstacles on Boxing Day. 

After losing his way in two runs last season, a wind op has got STORM NELSON back on track and Sandy Thomson's charge is 2-2 this season. 

He has gone up in the ratings but rates an each-way player nonetheless.

Racing Post selection: Storm Nelson

3.30pm - Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (3m)

Equus Dancer defied a 552-day absence to complete a four-timer at Hereford in December for Peter Bowen and cannot be dismissed from 6lb higher now but perhaps CELEBRE D'ALLEN will get his act together in first-time cheekpieces. 

He has not matched market expectations in two starts this season but the handicapper is relenting and the Philip Hobbs team has started to pick up lately. 

If the headgear works, he could have much more to offer at this distance.

LiveScore Selection: Celebre D'allen

4.03pm - Virgin Bet Open NH Flat Race (2m)

Paul Nicholls looks to hold the aces here with Exeter winners WRAPPEDUPINMAY and Inthewaterside clashing. 

They have to concede plenty of weight having won and now facing unraced and mostly younger opposition, but it will be a surprise if the champion trainer does not take the finale.

Harry Cobden takes over on Wrappedupinmay and having left his rivals trailing across the Devon countryside five weeks ago, he looks the one to beat.

Racing Post selection: Wrappedupinmay