RACING:SOME OF the great two-milers of modern times have landed the Tingle Creek Chase and the current titleholder Sizing Europe is favourite to join Moscow Flyer, Master Minded and Viking Flagship on the Sandown roll-of-honour this afternoon.

Henry De Bromhead’s star drops back from the three miles over which he finished runner-up to Quito De La Roque at Down Royal but the Co Waterford trainer doesn’t visualise that as being a problem. Instead he is hoping for no rain in the London area ahead of a task that was eased yesterday when Tataniano was ruled out through injury. Ruby Walsh switches to Kauto Stone as British champion trainer Paul Nicholls is chasing a seventh consecutive Tingle Creek win.

“He had a fairly tough race at Down Royal when running a blinder last time out but his weight is good and he seems in good form at home so we’re happy to let him take his chance,” said De Bromhead yesterday. “As we’ve always maintained, he’s a much better horse on better ground so we’re hoping rain stays away.”

De Bromhead also runs Old Laxey in today’s Sandown opener but there will also be intense focus on Liverpool today where the first races over the famous National fences take place since that controversial Grand National in April.