Tizzard hoping Marquesa’s improvement has not finished yet

Sunset Marquesa is out to impress at Sandown once again after leaving trainer Joe Tizzard no option but to “roll the dice” in the Unibet Mares’ Hurdle on Saturday.

The seven-year-old ran out a commanding winner of a handicap at the Esher track on Tingle Creek day and is now chanced in Listed company.

Tizzard said: “She’s up in grade and has a bit to find on ratings but she loved it round there last time and was impressive, so we thought we would roll the dice and have a go at a Listed race.

“There’s not stacks of options for her so we were all keen to have a go. She has not only won last time there but also ran well in the good mares’ bumper, so we thought it would be worth a go and I don’t think she will be too far away.”

Warren Greatrex’s Shantwopointfive was six and a half lengths behind Tizzard’s mare last time and is also stepped up in grade, while Paul Nicholls’ Jubilee Alpha and Dan Skelton’s Nurse Susan will lock horns again after the latter won at Cheltenham before Christmas.

Ladbrokes ambassador Skelton said: “Nurse Susan runs in a mares’ hurdle and reopposes a horse called Jubilee Alpha trained by Paul Nicholls.

“She is better off at the weights here, but our horse was well on top at Cheltenham last time in a handicap and I think she will run very well.

“Like I say, we have to contend with a slight weight difference this time but I do think we are up to doing that. It will be an interesting race but she’s in good form.”

Fergal O’Brien’s That’ll Do Moss and Anthony Honeyball’s Good Look Charm complete a field of six.