It's a heavyweight clash of the two-mile champion chasers at Sandown tomorrow when Moscow Flyer and Azertyuiop go head to head in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy.

Twelve months ago in this corresponding race Moscow Flyer came out on top, but the tables were turned in the Queen Mother Chase at Cheltenham in March when Azertyuiop clinched the champion's crown after Moscow Flyer had blundered and unseated his rider four from home.

A fascinating re-match is on the cards between these two top-notch performers, both of whom come into the race after recent wins.

Many punters will be of the opinion that Azertyuiop, still raw when beaten by Moscow Flyer last year, can turn the tables on his older rival under Ruby Walsh. They may well be right. But my vote still goes to Moscow Flyer, who has accumulated the remarkable record of being unbeaten in his 15 completed starts over fences.

It's going to be fast, furious and exciting, but the Irish raider is my fancy to have the edge over the young pretender.

Norton trainer Brian Ellison goes to Sandown with good prospects of landing the £75,000 William Hill Handicap Hurdle with King Eider.

This recent winner comes from a yard in good form, figures at the right end of the handicap and is still improving. In a wide-open race, he is among many with chances.

Middleham trainer Ferdy Murphy has good prospects of getting on the Sandown scoreboard with Granit d'Estruval in the williamhill.co.uk Marathon Chase Handicap.

In need of his latest effort at Carlisle, last season's Irish Grand National winner should now be coming to hand.

The big race at Haydock is the £60,000 Tommy Whittle Chase, which has attracted a cracking field, the pick of which could well be Irish raider Pizarro.

A top-class performer Pizarro won two Grade 1 races in Ireland last season before being brought down four from home in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. A horse with Gold Cup pretensions this season, he can herald his intentions by making a winning comeback tomorrow.

The progressive Oneway will not be short of supporters as he bids for a hat-trick of wins by taking the Gordon Platt Memorial Trophy Handicap Chase, while the highly-regarded Cloudy Grey should not be overlooked on his comeback outing in the totesport Handicap Hurdle.

Channel 4 will be covering two races live from Wetherby, starting with the One Man Novices' Chase, which offers recent Aintree winner Chauvinist the chance to add to his growing reputation.

Fashions Monty, who has been in cracking form lately, steps-up in class as she bids for her fourth consecutive success by landing the Skybet Handicap Chase. Peter Buchanan's mount has plenty going for her.

Also make a note of Malton trainer Richard Fahey's Beseiged in the 'Come Racing At Christmas' Handicap Hurdle.

My Nap selection has run encouragingly on his last two starts and is on the verge of striking a winning chord.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Sandown

1.00 Blue Americo, 1.30 Kjetil, 2.05 The Last Cast, 2.35, Moscow Flyer, 3.05 King Eider, 3.40 Granit d'Estruval.

Haydock

12.05 Time To Roam, 12.35 Astronomic, 1.10 Oneway, 1.40 Cloudy Grey, 2.10 Pizarro, 2.45 Town Crier, 3.15 Thames.

Wetherby

12.10 Gary's Pimpernel, 12.40 Sound Of Cheers, 1.15 Classic Capers, 1.45 Beseiged (Nap), 2.15 Chauvinist, 2.50 Rocky Agenda, 3.25 Fashions Monty.

Tomorrow's other race meetings are at Chepstow, Lingfield and and Wolverhampton.

Updated: 11:25 Friday, December 03, 2004