Racecards
15:35 Sandown Park
Ladbrokes Handicap Chase (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good (Good to Firm-Chase, Hurdles Good,Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £12,000 added
- Form 410654
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey Mr J Guerriero
in touch, headway to chase leaders 13th, weakened after 3 out
- Form 0/2313-4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
chased leaders, driven 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
- Form 1242-P0
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey S P Jones
led to 4th, chased leader, ridden 10th, lost place 12th, well behind when clambered over 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
- Form 16-1129
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer C R Egerton
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
chased leaders, led 8th, made rest, pressed from 2 out, driven and stayed on gamely flat
- Form 611112
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 117
held up in rear, headway 11th, chased leaders 13th, chased winner 3 out, driven from next, stayed on gamely flat, always just held
- Form 71-21P4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
led 4th to 8th, chased winner to 3 out, one pace approaching next
- Form 11/3F51-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey 2nd Preference
Craven (IRE)
14- Form 21-32U3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey J P Byrne
In depth
Verdict
Donovan arrives here in good form and he can get back to winning ways, with Pretty Star and Tamango the others for the shortlist. The selection has won four of his last five races and he did not have the race run to suit last time when he was beaten a head by Cantgeton at Carlisle. He is stepped back up in trip here which will suit and he can resume winning ways. Pretty Star has got the form to get competitive but his best efforts have been with plenty of cut in the ground and we are happy to take him on today. Tamango ran another sound race in defeat last time and this old campaigner is sure to go well again here, but he does look as though the handicapper has his measure at present. Craven has ability but he does not look the most straightforward and we will stick with Dovonan who can continue his hot streak.
Formwatch
Tamango (FR) 3-1 (11-11) Chased leader until approaching 4th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Kings Brook (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Pretty Star (GER) 13-2 (10-11) Towards rear, headway 11th, challenged 4 out, weakening in 4th when hit last, 4th of 12, 11l behind Always Waining (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs (2) gd in May.
Which Pocket (IRE) 50-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 12th, hampered 2 out, weakened, 12th of 19, 29l behind Knowhere (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
The Entomologist (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 2 lengths down when stumbled badly 3 out, not recover, 9th of 11, 26l behind Tous Chez (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Donovan (NZ) 5-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, driven approaching 4 out, headway next, challenged last, ridden and stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Cantgeton (11-5) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Fieldsofclover (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led to 5th, prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Cape Stormer (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
High Chimes (IRE) 15-8jt-fav (11-4) Tracked leader, hit 10th, led next, left clear 3 out, stumbled last, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Ballyjohnboy Lord (11-4) by a distance, 4 ran.
Craven (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up, stumbled badly 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, 3rd of 10, 13l behind The Hollow Bottom (9-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.