All manner of imponderables present themselves to punters attempting to unravel today's Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase at Sandown.

The steep incline from the final fence to the winning post at the Esher track has turned the results of many a race upside down in the final 200 yards and the stamina-sapping gradients and stiff fences take on an even more intimidating aspect when the ground is riding this soft.

One horse who will not fail for lack of stamina or courage is Kendal Cavalier.

A most progressive performer for Rod Millman last season, the nine-year-old gained an ultimately-impressive victory out in the Welsh National at Chepstow two weeks ago, giving his all and staying on in atrocious conditions.

Provided that the exertions of that performance have not taken too great a toll - and his previous record points to robustness and durability - then he is fancied to defy a hike in the weights and score but ultimately, this is too tough a contest to hold any degree of confidence over any of the nine contenders.

Dom Samourai, for example, would be the favourite to win on the pick of his form in long-distance chases in soft ground, but - not the for the first time - he turned in an appalling performance behind Kendal Cavalier last time out, reluctantly sulking his way around at the back of the field before Chris Maude ended the show, pulling his unwilling partner up.

Hidebound can enhance his Cheltenham Festival credentials further with success in the Sun "King of Punters" Tolworth Hurdle.

The seven-year-old's comprehensive destruction of his rivals in his two outings this term have left a queue of admirers looking forward to seeing him in action over fences later in his career.

However, he should have both enough speed and sufficient endurance to see off his five rivals.

Having earlier been set to meet Hidebound, connections of Norski Lad appear wisely to have taken the decision to sidestep any such clash and the Fairlawne Juvenile Novices' Hurdle looks theirs for the taking, at the principal expense of Hit And Run.

The presence of Or Royal at the head of the weights leaves Green Green Desert with just a feather-burden in the May Burton Handicap Chase.

Once somewhat enigmatic when it came down to putting his best foot forward, the onset of age appears to have matured the eight-year-old, and he now appears tractable enough to run up a sequence from a fair mark.

New Bird sluiced through the mud at Kempton a fortnight ago to put himself in the picture for the Triumph Hurdle and must be fancied to make light work of the 6lb penalty he incurs for that win when he lines up for the Leasowes Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Warwick.

A Saturday night card at Wolverhampton may not be every punter's first idea of a happy hunting ground for weekend winners but Mary Hannah is worth keeping an eye out for in the Late Festive Fun Handicap.

She found only Mike's Double too good a week ago and might well be improving - a comment which could not be applied to most of her rivals.