Mick Fitzgerald, who took the major honours last Saturday when winning the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Trabolgan, can triumph at Sandown tomorrow by lifting the £125,000 Tingle Creek Chase thanks to a 'chance' ride.

Lambourn-based Fitzgerald comes in for the mount on Kauto Star following an injury suffered last Sunday by Ruby Walsh, whose dislocated shoulder is set to keep him out of action for at least a further couple of weeks.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, Kauto Star is the hot favourite for this William Hill-sponsored race largely on the strength of his excellent runner-up effort behind Monkershostin on his reappearance at Exeter.

With that race under his belt, and on 4lb better terms with his conqueror, the highly-regarded Kauto Star is strongly fancied to take the honours.

Not that it's going to be easy with the likes of Ashley Brook, one of last season's leading novices, in the field along with Graham Lee's mount Oneway, who improved out of all recognition last season.

The £50,000 William Hill Handicap Hurdle is a wide-open affair, but Adopted Hero is certainly one for the short-list.

Trained in County Durham by Howard Johnson, the five-year-old caught the eye on his reappearance at Wetherby three weeks ago when he chased home Jake Black after being considerately handled.

That outing should have benefited him enormously and with Lee taking over in the saddle tomorrow, the northern raider makes plenty of appeal.

Henrietta Knight has a useful horse in Racing Demon, who promises to take all the beating in the Sodexho Prestige Henry VIII Novices' Chase.

Timmy Murphy's mount looked the real deal when winning at Exeter on his seasonal bow last month and there is surely more to come from this talented five-year-old.

Saturday's tips:

Sandown

12.55 Alph, 1.30 Nor'nor'east, 2.05 Racing Demon, 2.35 Kauto Star, 3.10 Adopted Hero, 3.40 Inca Trail.

Wetherby

12.10 Cooldine Lad, 12.40 Aston Lad, 1.10 Sir Storm, 1.45 Kentucky Blue, 2.20 Tahaddi Turtle, 2.50 Julius Caesar, 3.25 Jungle Jinks (Nap).

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Chepstow (precautionary inspection at 8am tomorrow as ground is heavy and rain is forecast), Haydock and Wolverhampton (evening).

Updated: 12:34 Friday, December 02, 2005