Hats off to the Queen Mother at Sandown tomorrow.

That is what I expect it will be after the Racal Novices' Hurdle in which the Queen Mother's instantly recognisable silks will be carried by Kings Rhapsody, the mount of Mick Fitzgerald.

Trained at Lambourn by Nicky Henderson, Kings Rhapsody was a very easy winner at Fakenham last month. An exciting prospect, he can follow up tomorrow.

The Alvis Grand Military Gold Cup Chase, confined to amateur riders with military connections, looks best left to Spring Saint from the Martin Pipe yard.

A fast-improving performer at the age of 11, Spring Saint has won two of his last three starts over fences, and was most recently triumphant under 12st at Taunton.

With Alan Michael in the saddle, Spring Saint can oblige again tomorrow.

The Duke of Gloucester Memorial Hunters' Chase gives the amateur brigade another chance. Preference here is for Ships Decanter, who makes the journey from Ireland as a representative from Tony Martin's stable.

Significantly the shrewd Martin, always to be feared when he brings horses to Britain, won this race 12 months ago with Extra Stout.

Fin Bec can get punters off to a good start in the opening race, the Worcester Park Novices' Handicap Chase. This Graham McCourt-trained gelding got off the mark in fine style at Leicester last week when scoring by seven lengths from Danzig Island.

That was only Fin Bec's second outing in a chase and further improvement looks likely. He can defy a 5lb penalty in the hands of Eugene Husband.

Lambourn jockey Dean Gallagher, who can do little wrong this season, has good prospects of lifting the £10,000 Tote Credit Club 0800 825550 Handicap Hurdle on The Extra Man.

Winner of two of his four races this season, The Extra Man finished a solid second to Magic Dancer at Huntingdon last time.

Given a seven-week break since, he returns to action here and is napped to get back on the winning trail at rewarding odds.

At Hereford, Oulton Broad makes plenty of appeal in the Bonusprint Handicap Hurdle.

Richard Johnson's mount has won his last two starts, following up a victory over this course and distance with a facile success at Folkestone last time. Although the handicapper is quickly closing him down, Oulton Broad having struck the best form of his life, may be able to complete a hat-trick here.

Jason's Boy is another horse enjoying a purple patch and Milton Bradley's ten-year-old also has strong hat-trick claims in the Doubleprint Handicap Chase.

Successful at Folkestone and Leicester on his last two starts, Jason's Boy will take plenty of beating tomorrow despite his 6lb penalty.

The Tripleprint Mares' Only Novices' Chase will not take a great deal of winning and Lady Of Gortmerron should be equal to the task under Carl Llewellyn.

In the Bonusfilm Novices' Hurdle, a note should be made of Kevin Morgan's newcomer Jazil, recruited from the Flat and a promising candidate to enjoy a good hurdling career.

Tomorrow's Tips

SANDOWN

2.00....................................Fin Bec

2.35.....................Kings Rhapsody

3.10...........................Spring Saint

3.45............The Extra Man (Nap)

4.15......................Ships Decanter

4.50............................Lord Native

HEREFORD

1.50...............................Big Wheel

2.25............Lady Of Gortmerron

3.00........................................Jazil

3.30............................Jason's Boy

4.05.........................Oulton Broad

4.40..........................Lochnagrain

5.10...............Absolutely Hopeful

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.