Racecards
14:05 Sandown Park
William Hill Winter Novices' Hurdle (Class A)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, headway to track leading pair but not much room, switched left approaching 2 out, led soon after 2 out, drew clear flat, impressive
Self Defense
21- Form 3324P-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey F Keniry
tracked leaders, effort to lead on bit approaching 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, outpaced and no chance with winner, flat
- Form 4520-15
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey S Durack
led to after 1st, stayed tracking leader to 3 out, weakened rapidly
- Form 6123
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
in touch, chased leader 3 out to approaching 2 out, weakened quickly
- Form 115-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
made most, hung left from 3 out driven and headed appoaching 2 out, outpaced by leading pair and no chance when blundered last
Mister Flint
19- Form 22-21F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
held up in rear, hit 3rd, no impression leaders and weakened after 3 out
- Form 36
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Mrs S Gardner
- Jockey J Culloty
prominent, weakened and behind from 4th, tailed off
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Inglis Drever can impress again, with Self Defense and Control Man out to stop him. Inglis Drever has quickly made his mark since going hurdling, looking for all the world like a Cheltenham Festival prospect when hacking up at Aintree two weeks ago. He cost owner Graham Wylie 110,000gns after being balloted out of the Ebor, and Sir Mark Prescott's loss is certain to be Howard Johnson's gain this term. They did not go fast enough for him on his debut but his class carried him through, and connections are keen to land this prize with the four-year-old. Self Defense showed his wellbeing with a comeback win over Albuhera and Contraband at Cheltenham recently. Both the runner-up and the third have franked the form since, and last season's Champion Hurdle fourth should be in the shake-up. So should Control Man who looked the part when storming home at Newton Abbot. The ex-French horse has a bright future, but this is a big test. Jessica Harrington's Green Belt Flyer, and Mister Flint look best of the rest, but are likely to be bit-part players only, with Inglis Drever expected to stamp his class.