Racecards
15:35 Sandown Park
Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons 21st Anniversary Handicap Chase (Class C)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft (Good places)(Hurdle - Good to Soft, Soft places)
- Form 11311P/
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey M Foley
close up, mistake 2nd, chased winner 4 out, led before 3 out, hard pressed and joined 2 out, stayed on well, held on flat, all out
- Form 00-2122
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leader, mistake 4 out, pressed winner 3 out, disputed lead from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, just held
Navarone
24- Form P2-32P2
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey D R Dennis
led, headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, tailed off from last
In depth
Verdict
Only four runners go to post for this handicap chase and Spring Margot is given the narrow vote over Shalako. The selection was pulled-up when favourite at Ayr last time, and his trainer felt the race had come too soon after his exertions at Aintree when he had easily beaten Harvis. He is clearly quite useful and providing he is fit on his seasonal reappearance then he should take all the beating. Shalako was a good second behind Vodka Bleu last time in a similar race to this, and the likelihood is that he will push our selection all the way. He will be fit from that recent run, but he may not quite have the class of our selection. Another Raleagh looks the best of the other two, but he will have to improve significantly to trouble the principles, and we will stick with Spring Margot as our idea of the winner.