Racecards
15:00 Sandown Park
Gq Future Stars Chase (Intermediate Race) (Class B)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Form 21162-4
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
jumped well, led and soon clear, challenged from 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form U2F11-1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey B J Geraghty
jumped well, held up in rear, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, readily
- Form 430-2P1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
tracked leader, jumped slowly 12th, headway approaching 3 out, chance 2 out, one pace approaching last
- Form 325F-14
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
tracked leader and keen, blundered 18th, hard ridden 3 out, weakened from next
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
All eyes here will be on Valley Henry who seems to have overcome the jumping problems that blighted his rise to the top of the novice jumping tree last season. Some intensive schooling ironed out his problems, and after gaining a confidence-boosting win at Exeter, he showed his true worth when landing a Grade 2 event at Ayr last spring. Valley Henry returned to action with a convincing enough success in the Desert Orchid Chase at Wincanton despite not looking fully ready to do himself justice and was immediately nominated for this race by his trainer. Connections are thinking of a tilt at the King George on Boxing Day so he will be expected to beat his three rivals with the minimum of fuss. Paul Nicholls is still convinced that he can go all the way to emulate See More Business and win a Gold Cup one day, but first things first, and with Intelligent and Haut Cercy having it all to do, it is best left to Maximise to chase the TEAMtalk selection home. Henrietta Knight's charge, winner of the Feltham at Kempton last December, was only beaten three lengths by Poliantas in the Celebration Novices' Chase here at Sandown in April and should come on for his return behind Swansea Bay at Wincanton a month ago.