GB - Sandown Park - Race 1

SINCHI ROCA made a smooth transition to hurdling when accounting for a well-backed favourite at Wincanton 16 days ago and looks up to defying a penalty. Nicky Henderson saddles a couple of interesting runners in Ionian and Grand Teton. The former shaped better than the distance beaten suggests on his Rules debut at Kempton and has scope for plenty of improvement if the first-time hood has a positive effect, while the latter is bred to make a useful jumper and needs a close look in the betting.