West End Boy runs today for the Coral Racing Club in the 15:35 Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) over 2m at Sandown.

Read our Raceday LIVE preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and our lucky owners for the day across our social channels.

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Raceday LIVE Preview

West End Boy has been a revelation so far this season for the club after winning two races on the bounce, firstly at Wincanton over 1m7f at the end of October, and then shortly after at Plumpton over two miles.

WATCH: West End Boy scoops top prize with Plumpton success | Raceday Highlights


Trainer Joe Tizzard has always been quietly confident that he could turn into a decent horse following his first few runs in novice company, so it was fantastic for everyone at the club to see him put it all together and become our first winner since we launched back in November last year.

Both victories came under the steering of trainer Joe's nephew, Freddie Gingell, but today West End Boy has Joe's stable jockey Brendan Powell in the saddle who has ridden him twice before.

Brendan hasn't had a ride since finishing 4th on Eldorado Allen in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday, but this weekend could be a big one for him at Sandown with him riding West End Boy and The Changing Man today, before getting aboard JPR One in tomorrow's Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase.

Raceday message from Joe Tizzard

"Everything has gone smoothly with West End Boy since his wins at Wincanton and Plumpton. After those two runs in eight days, the plan was always to give him a short break, and this month between races has worked out nicely.

Obviously the original plan was to take him back to Wincanton yesterday, but with that meeting off, we’re heading to Sandown instead, and while this looks a tougher race than Wincanton, the increased prize money makes it well worth a go, and it was always a race we had in our minds anyway. 

He ran here twice as a novice, but he’s a very different proposition now he’s running in handicaps, and while it won’t be easy giving weight to Immortal and Impact Du Bonheur, I couldn’t be happier with our fellow and am looking forward to seeing how he goes on this next step up the ladder. 

With Fred [Gingell] on the sidelines, Brendan Powell takes over. He’s ridden him before and knows him well, and he’s a straightforward ride anyway.

I know it’s a big day for the club, with Cast No Shadow running later at Newcastle, so let’s hope we can start the day off in style!"


Freddie Gingell rides West End Boy to victory at Wincanton in October

The latest ground report

According to Sandown's going report on The Jockey Club website, the ground is currently Soft, Heavy (in places).

Prize money

Today's Class 4 contest is worth £15,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop £7,804.50 for their lucky owners.

2nd place: £3,588 | 3rd place: £1,794 | 4th place: £897 | 5th place: £448.50 | 6th place: £223.50

As part of the Owner for the Day competitions we launch here on the Coral Racing Club website once one of the club's horses has been entered in a race, each of the 10 lucky winners who get the chance to attend as an owner also get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won.

TODAY'S OPPOSITION

• Immortal was a well-beaten 13/8 favourite at Ascot last month for Nicky Henderson, but he's likely to fair better today in this less competitive contest. Interestingly, he ran against West End Boy on his debut back in February this year, but he was again a well-beaten favourite that day by Gary Moore's Givega.

• Impact Du Bonheur has the services of Harry Cobden who was due to ride West End Boy yesterday at Wincanton for the Paul Nicholls yard. He shaped well over C&D last time out and could be open to plenty of improvement on just his third start since moving over from France.

• Classic Anthem finished a close 2nd to Father Of Jazz at Kempton in the summer who is now rated 130+, and if his recent wind surgery can help eek out some more improvement, he's likely to take a step forward on his handicap debut for Jim Boyle. 

Racing Post Spotlight Verdict

French bumper winner IMPACT DU BONHEUR shaped as though he may have needed the run over C&D last month and this lightly raced 5yo has potential off his opening mark.

West End Boy is 2-2 in handicaps and is second choice ahead of Classic Anthem. Immortal retains potential, while Magical King is another who may go well. [Ben Hutton]

    SANDOWN 15:35 – LATEST BETTING HERE    

Thanks for reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 15:35 to watch West End Boy's next run for the club.