The Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown today, the first Grade One race of the season in Britain, is a difficult one to work out, and punters may be best putting their faith in Arthur Moore's Klairon Davis.

The eight-year-old, winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1996, made an encouraging reappearance in a three-runner chase at Fairyhouse in October, comfortably accounting for Fiftyseven channels by 11 lengths.

David Nicholson's pair, Viking Flagship and Mulligan, first and second at Exeter, are not easy to separate.

Mulligan is improving but it is hard to see him turning the tables on his elder stablemate - who beat him by five lengths - on 10lb worse terms, and 1994 winner Viking Flagship can chase Klairon Davis home.

Chai-Yo looks a sound bet at 12 to 1 with the sponsors to lift the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. Jim Old's seven-year-old looks to have a live chance, judged on his final performance of last season, in the Sunderlands Imperial Cup over course and distance last March.

A 14 to 1 chance for the Imperial Cup, Chai-Yo was still on the bridle when coming to challenge on the run to the second-last.

Unfortunately he crashed to the floor at that obstacle, leaving Carlito Brigante, who reopposes on 10lb worse terms today, to get the better of Doctoor by two lengths.

On his reappearance, Chai-Yo lined up for the Murphy's Draughtflow Hurdle at Cheltenham but unseated his rider at the first flight, having been hampered.

Nicky Henderson's progressive Stormyfairweather is the likely favourite after an impressive victory at Newbury a week ago, and he has to be respected along with the Christy Roche-trained Grimes.

But at his odds Chai-Yo makes considerable appeal and is napped to continue his trainer's winning run.