Moore for Jallota takes the eye

Sandown is the place to be tomorrow when another ‘orthodox’ NH season comes to a close, though it may fairly be said that summer jumping has changed everything.

Dickie Johnson and Nicky Henderson will receive their awards and Cue Card will be on hand to add extra spice, while Henderson’s ALTIOR will be the star turn in the Celebration Chase. I thought he was a virtual certainty at Cheltenham but the setback at home meant he drifted to odds against before the Champion Chase. I thought he was beaten in fifth running down the hill but then, switched wide, he picked them all up and went away to win easily. He was below his best, which tells you everything, and I expect him to dominate from start to finish here.

Leicester stages one of its most valuable races, the King Richard III Stakes over seven furlongs and I imagine Kimberella will give it another really good go after appreciating the trip and winning last week. This will be harder, though, and the booking of Ryan Moore, who is there to ride for Sir Michael Stoute, takes the eye. Charlie Hills was quick to snap him up for Jallota, who is not absolutely top class but takes on horses only marginally below that level. He must be very for Hills to make the booking and I just favour him.

The good sprint handicap at Ripon is extremely tricky and I just wonder if Bryan Smart can make an impression. The fact that an apprentice rides Red Pike leaves the horse quite well in with a few of them and a very small each-way bet is in order.

Back at Sandown in the Select Hurdle I think Wholestone is one of a whole raft of average staying hurdlers which enabled Identity Thief to prevail last time. Henderson’s CALL ME LORD looks a big danger and should stay the 2m 5f all right.