Racecards
14:05 Sandown Park
Free 25 Pound Bet Partybets.com Handicap Chase (Class 2)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £25,000 added
- Form 504/11-1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
soon in touch, chased leader 7th, led 3 out, ridden when blundered 2 out, not recover
- Form 1202-51
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey T J Dreaper
held up, ridden 3 out, no impression
- Form 1F10-2U
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
in touch, led 2 out, ridden out
- Form 21P3U/4
- Age 10
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey D F O'Regan
tracked leaders, mistake 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 227-448
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, chased winner last, no extra
- Form 02F3U1
- Age 13
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
led, hit 3rd, jumped left and headed 3 out, weakened after 2 out
- Form 161F-96
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey L Treadwell
towards rear, ridden and brief effort after 4 out
- Form 13405-6
- Age 8
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
tracked leader to 7th, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced 3 out, kept on but held by leaders
In depth
Verdict
A good case can be made for plenty of these however the one who makes most appeal is Howle Hill who is unbeaten in three starts over fences; the well-regarded Master Minded and Pablo Du Charmil make it to the shortlist. Alan King's gelding was a talented hurdler last season but appears to be on his way to being just as good over fences judged by his three wins over the bigger obstacles. He was unfancied when landing a valuable handicap at Ascot and with a fine strike-rate he must be considered the one to beat. Master Minded comes with a decent reputation from France but he unshipped his rider on his British debut and surely must complete before he can be considered a strong bet, whilst Bleu Superbe has had his jumping frailties exposed in the past but must be considered a threat if on song. Stablemate Jericho III is not out of it either having won over the course and distance previously, a comment that also applies to El Vaquero who is a fellow course winner. Pablo Du Charmil may find this company slightly easier than he contested last time and may not have yet truly reached his peak, and along with Calatagan must be prominent on any shortlist. A tricky puzzle for punters here, and preference is for Howle Hill.
Formwatch
Howle Hill (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, jumped slowly 9th, headway next, led approaching 2 out, driven clear flat, idled close home, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Fier Normand (10-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, mistakes 7th and 8th, headway after 4 out, led between last 2, ridden and kept on flat, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec beating Almaydan (10-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Master Minded (FR) 8-13fav (11-2) Chased winner until mistake and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Mister Quasimodo (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) gs in Dec, 4 ran.
El Vaquero (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 10th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 7, 34l behind New Alco (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f Grad Ch (2) gd in Nov.
Hasty Prince 10-1 (11-4) Held up, pushed along after 5th, behind 8th, hit 10th, soon lost touch, 8th of 9, well behind O'Toole (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Made all, jumped left, hard ridden approaching 2 out, all out, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Dec beating Lord Henry (11-7) by a nk, 5 ran.
Jericho III (FR) 18-1 (11-11) Led to 10th, chased leader until weakened 4 out, beaten when hit next, 6th of 10, 48l behind Black Hills (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
All Star (GER) 9-1 (10-9) Held up, effort after 10th, soon pushed along and no impression, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 16l behind O'Toole (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Dec.
Pablo Du Charmil (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Led, hit 4 out, headed next, weakening when blundered 2 out, 6th of 10, 33l behind Hoo La Baloo (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.