Horse racing tips: Sandown, Chepstow, Wincanton, Kempton and Lingfield – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Saturday, January 6

WILD WEST WIND can blow them away in the Welsh National at Chepstow (2.05).

He came into contention for this marathon with a convincing win in the mud here last time out. He found time to idle three-quarters of the way around before digging deep to produce more reserves of stamina to win going away.

That was over 3m but he gives the impression that he will stay all day, particularly in what could be horribly testing conditions. He has few miles on the clock over fences and looks on a very fair mark as he steps up in class.

He’s been backed all week but it still a decent enough price in a typically open contest.

Vintage Clouds will relish this test of stamina after finding 2m5f very much on the short side at Haydock last time out.

He has a major tick in the box thanks to his love of very soft ground and his best effort came two starts ago at Aintree. That day his stamina came into play over 3m1f and he had no fewer than 18 lengths in hand crossing the line.

The handicapper has pushed him up the weights a little but he is still on a fair enough mark. Connections have been targeting this race with him for a while now.

Ask The Weatherman is an interesting contender on just his fourth run over fences under Rules. He showed promise when a close-up seventh in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham and he looks a thorough stayer. He loved the mud when winning well at Exeter last month and there should be a lot of improvement to come.

If you’re looking for one at a massive price to hit the frame, Buckhorn Timothy is intriguing as he has shown plenty over hurdles this winter. He loves deep ground and could sneak into the places. The more rain that comes the better for him — with borderline raceable conditions his major preference.

HOUBLON DES OBEAUX can run a big race in Sandown’s veterans’ final at 3.00.

He comes alive when the ground is testing and will appreciate this drop in distance after finding the London National a little stretching here last time out.

Benbens got the better of him that day but he’s one that would prefer this to be more of a stamina test.

Venetia Williams’ mudlark came right into the reckoning for this when winning nicely over course and distance in November. The ground was similar that day and he’s only 3lb higher in the weights here. He should be in the shake-up again.

Perfect Candidate won well at Cheltenham last time out, holding his own in a bobbing finish. He is just 4lb higher in the weights, which gives him every chance.

Similar comments apply to Gas Line Boy who won the Grand Sefton over the National fences at Aintree last time.

The testing ground there was ideal and he’ll have no problem seeing out this distance.

 CHEPSTOW

12.30 Just Don’t Ask

1.00 Socksy

1.35 We Have A Dream

2.05 Wild West Wind

2.45 Shantou Bob

3.20 Play The Ace

3.55 Good Boy Bobby

SANDOWN

12.15 We Have A Dream

12.45 Poppy Key

1.20 Theos Charm

1.50 Gino Trail

2.25 Western Ryder

3.00 Houblon Des Obeaux

3.35 Brillare Momento

 WINCANTON

1.05 Multigifted

1.40 Cucklington

2.10 Rheagar

2.40 Antartica De Thaix

3.15 Bill And Barn

3.45 Mon Palois

LINGFIELD

12.05 Guvenors Choice

12.40 Craving

1.15 Varsovian

1.45 General Hazard

2.20 Arcanada

2.55 Galloway Hills

3.30 Nurse Nightingale

KEMPTON

5.45 Sweet Symphony

6.15 Promising

6.45 Dors Law

7.15 Golden Image

7.45 Stellar Surprise

8.15 Velvet Revolution

8.45 Montague

9.15 Victoriously