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THE calm in between the Christmas festivals and the final trial events at Cheltenham and the DRF at Leopardstown leaves me with a rather flat feeling about racing this afternoon.

Most probably because of the dry ground, only one of the seven races at the feature meeting at Sandown Park has managed to attract double figures with the Veterans’ Handicap Chase Final set to see just the nine runners in what is normally a big betting event for me.

Gustavian and Le Milos dominate the market and off their current marks both of these 11-year-olds have solid claims and I couldn’t put you off either, but if at least eight go to post for this extended three-mile event, I am more than willing to have an each-way play on CREDO (3.05) with Harry Cobden on board. I suspect he will let the rest of the field get on with things up top and ride a slowly, slowly creepy crawler out the back race until the taps are switched on coming off the Railway Fences for the final time.

It could be that the mare will have plenty of ground to make up from that point, but we know that she is a very strong stayer and I think under such a patient ride she will hit the three and possibly land the gold medal up the final steep climb to the line.

The Listed Mares’ Hurdle sees recent Cheltenham winner Nurse Susan and JUBILEE ALPHA (2.25) lock swords again. The last named has a 12lbs pull for being beaten seven-and-three-quarter lengths at the Prestbury Park track, so there should be little between them. The Nicholls charge defeat was accentuated by a last flight mistake while the winner, always held in high regard by Dan Skelton, but obviously a rather fragile sort, was an emphatic winner. The each-way alternative could well be That’ll Do Moss and Fergal O’Brien has a knack of getting the best out of mares in this sphere, but in my eyes she simply has too much to find at the weights. 

As far as the rest of the Esher track card is concerned, I really liked the way that CONTACTO (12.15) shaped on his hurdling debut at Newbury and if his hurdling improves from that initial run, I think this former 85-rated flat handicapper should have the edge over the likes of Sinnatra and Pourquoi Pas Papa.

Triple Trade would have been the call in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase, but on reflection his jumping is simply not as good as it used to be and he could be a few pounds lower in the weights, so the nod goes to the easy Cheltenham winner CAN YOU CALL (1.50) who despite the penalty remains feasibly well weighted on his old form.

There are some nice prizes up for grabs at Wincanton and likely favourite WICKED THOUGHTS (1.30) looks the best bet on the card. Most of his rivals are poorly treated here, but the selection is firmly on the upgrade and this tight track on a sound surface is made for his forceful style of running under a mere 3lbs penalty.

Later on, have a second look at the unexposed SEA WARRIOR (2.05) in the two-mile handicap hurdle. The four-year-old ran a promising race two outings back in an above average novice hurdle at Exeter, before falling at halfway on his handicap hurdle debut over the course and distance. Set to race off the same mark here, the youngster can improve past the likes of Purple Owl and the consistent Three Pikes.

There are also some interesting contests on the all-weather flat cards at Southwell and Lingfield and top of the shop surely has to be QUANDARY (Southwell, 5.30) under top weight in a class five handicap over seven furlongs from a peach of a starting slot. In recent races the pace hasn’t allowed this hold-up performer to get involved, but the make-up of this contest looks much more in favour of the six-year-old and the mare can come late and fast to deny the likes of Titian Blue (disappointing beaten market leader last time out) and Hilltop.

Later on, ROARING RALPH (6.00) is too low in the weights to ignore in the first division of this bottom grade seven furlong handicap, but an even better wager could come in the latter division half an hour later. OVERLOOKED (6.30) may well be a maiden after 24 career starts, but has been knocking at the winner’s door as of late and you could say was more than a shade unlucky behind a Pint Of Bear over the course and distance last time out when he uncharacteristically pulled too hard in the early exchanges. Stall four should allow PJ McDonald to settle the selection early on before using his guaranteed stamina down the home stretch.

The best wager at Lingfield Park could come in the form of top weight MR NUGGET (1.45) following a very smooth win at Southwell last week. A 4lbs penalty shouldn’t stop the David Simcock-trained runners taking care of Kaaress and Mio Amico.