Ed Quigley: Three tips for the week, and a 33/1 Ryanair Chase tip

The action comes thick and fast this weekend, with Sandown's two day Tingle Creek meeting taking centre stage. The Tingle Creek itself looks a cracker, but I think there is very little to choose between the protagonists and is too close to call at this stage.

BRAVE KINGDOM made a very taking impression when bolting up on hurdling and stable debut earlier this month and could be a tough nut to crack in the Winter Novices' Hurdle on Friday at the Esher venue.  An easy winner on his sole bumper start for Harry Whittington last season, he looked very smart over his obstacles as he cruised around Chepstow in the hands of Gavin Sheehan for a facile win by almost 10 lengths on his hurdling bow. This clearly represents a step up in class, but he looks an exciting type with plenty of potential. The prospect of rain arriving at the end of the week will do his chances no harm, and he looks to be one to keep onside.

Aintree on Saturday provides us with some top-notch encounters, with the Many Clouds Chase having the potential to be an absolute belter. The problem is, the make-up of the race is far from certain, but one horse who sounds like he will be heading there is the Dan Skelton-trained PROTEKTORAT, who looks as though he should relish stepping up to 3m1f for the first time. A Grade 1 winner at this venue over 2m4f back in April, he stormed up the Cheltenham hill to finish second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup three weeks ago. That was a smart run off top weight and a BHA rating of 154, especially as it was his first run of the season. His form has improved since his wind operation, and a return to this track with that run under his belt, combined with tackling 3m1f for the first time are all cogent arguments to see the Dan Skelton representative produce a career best.

Sunday's Peterborough Chase revolves, from a betting and official rating perspective, around Allmankind, but for the value pick, I think ELDORADO ALLEN can give him plenty to think about for a resurgent Colin Tizzard yard. He stayed on dourly to land the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his seasonal reappearance and like many from the yard, seen to have come back this season full of vigour. I think the step back up in trip will suit him. Looking at the bigger picture, he is 33/1 for this season's Ryanair Chase and I think he looks a tad on the big side for that. If he runs well at Huntingdon that price will soon disappear. Joe Tizzard has said it is a case of 'working backwards from the Ryan Air and official figures would suggest he doesn't need to improve a huge amount to make his presence felt at the top table of all those chases over the intermediate trip.

Advice:

• Brave Kingdom, Sandown 14:25 - Winter Novices' Hurdle, Friday 3rd December, 1pt win, 7/4 (generally)
• Protektorat, Aintree 14:05 - Many Clouds Chase, Saturday 4th December, 1pt win 5/1 (generally)
• Eldorado Allen, Huntingdon 13:52 - Peterborough Chase, Sunday 5th December, 1pt win 7/1 (Paddy Power)
• Eldorado Allen, Thursday 17th March, 2022 - Ryanair Chase, 1pt win 33/1