'I couldn't be more pleased with him' - trainers on the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle

Saturday: 2.25 Sandown
Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | ITV/RTV

Paul Nicholls is the only trainer represented to have won the Tolworth and seeks a fifth victory in the first Grade 1 of the year with smart novice hurdler Tahmuras.

The 13-time champion trainer enjoyed a hat-trick in the race between 2006 and 2008 and was first successful with Thisthatandtother – the subsequent first winner of the now Ryanair Chase – in 2003.

Tahmuras, whose owners Noel Fehily Racing Club are seeking a top-level breakthrough, is 2-2 over hurdles, improving on his Chepstow maiden hurdle win to land a Listed event at Haydock in November under regular rider Harry Cobden.

Nicholls said: "He's in good shape and the track and soft ground should suit him. This has been the aim since Haydock. It's a Grade 1 and there's good horses in it – Arctic Bresil might be the unknown and Authorised Speed is a nice horse but hopefully we have a nice chance."

The six-year-old's sole defeat under rules came when second in a Chepstow bumper to the reopposing L'Astroboy, who arrives with a 2-2 record after winning on his hurdling debut in November.

His trainer Evan Williams said: "He won his maiden hurdle at Ffos Las and this represents a big step up in class, but where do I go with him? There aren't many options. We either step him up or go and carry a penalty somewhere. It's a very competitive race."

Moore: the wetter the better for Speed

Authorised Speed has recorded the best Racing Post Rating over hurdles in the field and is one of two course-and-distance winners to contest the £70,000 event.

The Gary Moore-trained six-year-old finished fifth in the Champion Bumper last season and is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, winning by 15 lengths at Lingfield before justifying prohibitive odds at Sandown last month.

Moore said: "I hope it rains in the morning as is forecast as it was a bit gluey for him last time and it may well be the wetter the better for him. I couldn't be more pleased with him. He needs to improve a lot as it's the strongest Tolworth I've seen for a long time. He does stay well as he has already won over an extended two miles and three furlongs this season.

"There are other horses in the race that have a similar profile to him in that they stay well and will like the ground. He has got to up his game a fair bit on what he has done so far but you can only beat what is put in front of you."

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Get more on the Tolworth:

Tolworth 1-2-3 predictions: who will be the first three home at Sandown?

Introducing Easyview: a brand new way of visualising racecards

What they say

Robbie Power, race planner for Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Arctic Bresil
He won impressively at Cork and this looks like a nice opportunity for him. He'll be getting soft ground and Sandown is a lovely track with a stiff two miles. He has shown plenty of pace and this trip looks the best for him.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Blow Your Wad
It wouldn't be a massive shock if he won but it's as good a Tolworth as I've seen in many years. He's grossly overpriced in the market on his bumper form with Tahmuras – he's 5-2 and Blow Your Wad is 40-1.

Tom Lacey: feels Blow Your Wad is overpricedCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Colonel Harry
We fancied him going into the Sandown race but there were some big yards represented going into that. Our chap galloped on remorselessly through the mud and won impressively, and the moment he crossed the line we were thinking about the Tolworth. Had he not run at Uttoxeter he'd be a shorter price for this. He wants soft ground and two miles so hopefully he can step forward. He's blossoming at home and he's got a big future no matter what happens.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Nemean Lion
It's a Grade 1 and typically competitive but we preferred to go for this rather than carry a penalty in a novice or go into a handicap. He has form on heavy ground in France so I'm hopeful the conditions and track will suit him.

Read more of Saturday's previews:

12.40 Sandown: 'We've had this race in mind all season' - Love Envoi primed for Listed success

1.15 Sandown: Gemirande out to sparkle for in-form Williams and Deutsch combination

1.30 Wincanton: 'He seems in great form' - Messire Des Obeaux returns after latest setback

1.50 Sandown: Corrigeen Rock bids to boost Lucinda Russell's Sandown record

3.00 Sandown: Can Evan do it again? Prime Venture bids to repeat £100,000 veterans' final win

3.35 Sandown: 'He's still quite well treated' - who will win this competitive handicap hurdle?

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