Racecards
14:50 Sandown Park
Thales Defence Novices' Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 20-4313
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer N Gaselee
- Jockey A Thornton
tracked leader, blundered and dropped rear 4 out, stayed on again flat, just held for 2nd
- Form 1/11P-34
- Age 10
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Mrs H Dalton
- Jockey Mr R Burton
led, mistake 16th (water), headed 18th, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
- Form 60-5141
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey B J Crowley
mistakes, held up in 4th, not fluent 1st, blundered 12th and 14th, effort to chase winner from 3 out, no chance from next, tired flat, just held on for 2nd
- Form 13413P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
tracked leaders, led 18th, in no danger from 2 out, drew away flat, easily
- Form 04P6-34
- Age 6
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer D Grissell
- Jockey R Greene
in rear, blundered 4th, well behind when jumped 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
In depth
Verdict
A disappointing turnout for this decent prize, but a trappy contest nonetheless. Rudolph Rassendyll will be a popular choice having bolted up at Chepstow on his latest outing, and could still be well treated under his penalty, but while he is clearly a talented performer, he may be happier going left handed, for the last time he went this way around, he did nothing but hang to the left at Leicester. Chateau Rose is clearly better than he showed at Plumpton and if back to the sort of form he showed at Leicester, he must go well. Minella Silver has found life a little more difficult since leaving the Hunter chase ranks, but the Handicapper has started to relent a little and this sound jumper is taken to beat his rivals.