ALTHOUGH the weather has taken its toll on horse racing this weekend, there is still plenty to get excited about, not least an engaging card at Sandown Park and the Dublin Racing Festival as well.

BUVEUR D’AIR will be the big name on show at Sandown for the Listed Contenders Hurdle at 1.50 and he should readily land this warm-up race for the Champion Hurdle with conditions very much in his favour.

Of course some will say there will be a little more of an edge to the race following his defeat in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park but apart from both tracks being right-handed conditions could not be more different with a much stiffer track to deal with and of course deeper ground which he has always acted on with relish.

A full 21 lengths off the champ on the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Vision Des Flos looks the most likely rival to fill second spot here.

LE PREZIEN (nap) is now only four pounds higher than when landing the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year under one of the rides of the season and may be able to defy top weight in the two mile handicap chase at 1.15.

The master Geraghty is once again back on board and although the combination have to give weight away all round, there is little strength in depth in this field and he can see off the likes of Gino Trail and Not Another Muddle as long as his fencing holds up over the Railway Fences.

The 888Sport Heroes Handicap Hurdle, a Grade Three event over three miles, looks a really competitive renewal at 3.00, but there are a couple I like against the field.

My main bet will be on FLEMCARA who returns to the smaller obstacles following a torrid time over fences. After being tailed off at Ffos Las on his chasing debut he ran much better at Chepstow before unseating at the fourth last.

But the key piece of form which relates his chance here was his hugely eye-catching running on ninth of 17 behind the smart Topofthegame in this race last year off exactly the same mark he runs off today. But this time around Adie Coleman takes over from a conditional.

My saver in the race will be on the light weight CASKO D’AIRY following his easy win at Ascot last time out on his handicap debut.

You could easily pick floors in that race, but he went through the race like much the best horse and when asked for his effort absolutely scooted clear to record a seven length success.

Of course the handicapper has taken retribution by pushing him up 14lbs in the handicap, but the Paul Nicholls charge is one of only a handful of runners still unexposed in this staying event.

Belami Des Pictons and Give Me A Copper are both highly regarded by their yards and any early market moves in the three mile handicap chase at 3.35 should be heeded.

However, in receipt of a load of weight from that duo, KAYF ADVENTURE (nb) could be the each-way answer.

The Philip Hobbs entry is bred to relish this first run over three miles and shaped well until midway down the home stretch on his seasonal debut at Newbury.

At Leopardstown, APPLE’S JADE is preferred to Melon in the Irish Champion Hurdle at 1.25, while MIN should be able to pick up the front running Saint Calvados in the Grade One Dublin Chase at 3.10.

The Arkle Novices Chase at 3.45 looks more open but I was massively impressed by the course and distance win of PALOMA BLUE last time out and although he needs a big step up again, he could well be the each-way value here ahead of Le Richebourg (wouldn’t want the ground too soft) and Mengli Khan who to my eyes hasn’t impressed with his fencing in two starts over the larger obstacles to date.