Ratings Update: Dino gave his rivals a Masterclass

The Tolworth Hurdle was the feature race at Sandown on Saturday and the Colin Tizzard-trained Elixir de Nutz (remains on 136) came out on top, turning in a gutsy performance to outpoint Grand Sancy (up 4 lb to 135) in testing conditions. It was Rathhill (120p from 126P) who was all the rage in the betting beforehand, having looked so good on debut, but it was experience that came to the fore, Elixir de Nutz’s excellent jumping coupled with a very willing attitude making him a tough nut to crack; he’ll need to improve again to be a factor in the Supreme, but nonetheless he is going the right way.

Willie Mullins’ exciting mare Laurina (remains on 150p) made her eagerly anticipated return 35 minutes earlier and, though the race was rather unsatisfactory with only two runners going to post, it was hard not to be impressed by the manner of Laurina’s performance. Admittedly, the form is very hard to assess with confidence, but she did nothing to dent her reputation, well clear of her sole rival entering the straight and wasn’t extended to win by 48 lengths. She's yet to race against the geldings, and her current ante-post odds for the Champion Hurdle look skinny, for all she has obvious potential.

The Final of the Veterans’ Chase series attracted the largest field since its inception in 2016, and the gambled on Houblon des Obeaux (142 from 136?) resumed winning ways in good style for the in-form Venetia Williams. He was revived by the reapplication of cheekpieces back over a more suitable trip, putting up as good a performance as he has in the last 18 months, though his victory was made that bit easier by the fall of Buywise (142 from 139?) at the final fence. Buywise was in pursuit of following up his victory 12 previous, around three lengths down and closing on the eventual winner when departing, and hopefully he will be none the worse for that fall.

Full replay and report: Houblon Des Obeaux rolls back the years in the Veterans' Chase @Sandownpark.👏👇https://t.co/P2IrnnsKsE pic.twitter.com/e55LkCaYD4

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 5, 2019

Earlier on the card, Torpillo (up 4 lb to 135p) won a one-sided juvenile hurdle, proving much too good for his opposition. He has established himself useful already, and looks well up to making his mark in graded company now. His main target will likely be the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham – a race his owners have had success in the past – for which he can be backed at around 14/1, odds which make some appeal given he is likely to progress further yet.

Plumpton were treated to a cracker of a novice chase on Sunday, and French raider Master Dino (up 2 lb to 155p) made his trip across the English Channel worthwhile for connections when running out an impressive winner. Plumpton is no stranger to attracting a good horse, from a Champion Chaser in Voy Por Ustedes to a Grand National winner in the shape of Comply Or Die – not to mention the more recent appearance of Supreme Novices' Hurdle runner-up Kalashnikov – but never this century has it staged a race of such quality in depth as this one, and the trademark bold style of the runner-up Knocknanuss (152 from 150p) forced a novice performance of the highest order.

Master Dino did bundles in a hectic hurdling career, yet looks destined for even better things over fences, asked a bigger question than on his chasing bow (30-length winner), and passing the test in the style of a top-drawer novice, one who'll continue to take all the beating. Connections' decision to send him for this bonus race seemingly reflecting a desire to head for Cheltenham, despite Macaire's increasingly rare representation on these shores nowadays, and the bookmakers were quick to slash his odds for the JLT Novices’ Chase for which he is now a general 5/1 favourite; he will reportedly take in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown next month on his way to the Festival.

Master Dino - a real talent! 🇫🇷

pic.twitter.com/Hgi4eeScqB

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 6, 2019

The Two Amigos (up 2 lb to 139p) progressed again to record his third win of the season in what wasn’t the strongest Sussex National, the fact he was sent off the 11/8 favourite representing both the improvement he’s made and the lack of depth in the race. Therefore, it would be unwise to get too carried away by the fact the front two pulled so far clear, the pair of them having dominated more or less throughout. The winner may do better still, but he will be up to a mark in the 140s after this and forced into the premier league of staying handicaps; however he still has the option of returning to novice company, the National Hunt Chase a potential spring target.

Naas staged the Lawlor's of Naas Novices' Hurdle also on Sunday and, though it was not a stellar renewal of the Grade 1 – which features Death Duty and Next Destination on its roll of honour – Battleoverdoyen (140p from 138P) further enhanced his reputation, whereas market rival Tornado Flyer (128 from 137P) dented his. Admittedly, Battleoverdoyen had to work rather harder to maintain his unbeaten record up immediately in class, but still looked a potentially leading novice, plenty to like about how much he's done so soon in his development, and he was firmly at home over the longer trip as he saw off some more seasoned novices. He is now a general second favourite for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival and will no doubt be a live contender there if continuing his progression. Nothing came to light in the immediate aftermath regards Tornado Flyer, but his well-supported stablemate Come To Me (now 135 from 135p) was reported to be coughing post-race.