NEWSBOY'S ITV4 SELECTIONS

Marble looks solid as a rock in Sodexo cracker

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MARBLE SANDS can prove his staying power for three miles with a comeback win in the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.45) at Ascot today.

The nine-year-old grey, trained in tandem by David Killahena and Graeme McPherson, has yet to hit the bullseye in four previous attempts at the trip.

But his staying-on efforts over shorter suggest the distance should prove within range as does a third, albeit 17¼ lengths behind winner Frero Banbou, in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last November.

Competing from a BHA rating of 142, Marble Sands is just 1lb above the mark from which he scored at Musselburgh in February of last year and a neck second on the Flat at Goodwood 20 days ago augurs well for his return to the jumps.

After a return-to-action second at Chepstow last month, ALEXEI can go one better in the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (3.10).

Celtic Dino, who beat my selection by two and a quarter lengths, is a lightly raced and progressive performer but Brendan Powell's (above) mount also has more to offer.

Defending champion MARTATOR is the pick in the Grundon Waste Management Handicap Chase (2.05). The Venetia Williams-saddled eight-year-old followed up over course and distance three weeks after capturing this race in 2024 and is weighted to go well once more.