Racecards
15:40 Sandown Park
Leander Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form P/0320-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer M Meade
- Jockey R Thornton
tracked leader, led after 5th to 7th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat
Indeed (IRE)
20- Form F22-FF0
- Age 9
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey P Hide
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led next, headed 7th, weakened quickly approaching 2 out
- Form 232111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer B J Llewellyn
- Jockey Christian Williams
in mid-division, behind when hit 8th, tailed off
- Form 3/412UF
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer L Wells
- Jockey L P Aspell
raced keenly, close-up until weakened quickly after 3 out
- Form 112P05
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer B Duke
- Jockey Dave Crosse
in mid-division, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Heracles
503- Form 511334-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer R Buckler
- Jockey B Hitchcott
raced wide, held up, never in contention, tailed off 3 out
- Form 000/330
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway under pressure after 3 out, one pace and no impression leaders from next
- Form 633-222
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, chased leaders from 6th, chased winner from 2 out, looked reluctant under pressure, no impression when mistake last
- Form 151/0-01
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
held up in rear, hit 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 5P-000P
- Age 11
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer M Francis
- Jockey A Thornton
held up in rear, headway under pressure to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened flat
- Form 131421
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer R Rowe
- Jockey Richard Gordon
prominent, ridden along and lost place after 3rd, stayed on approaching 2 out, no chance
- Form 056102
- Age 8
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up and behind, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, virtually pulled up flat
Romero
102- Form 440-045
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer P Chamings
- Jockey F Keniry
led to after 5th, soon lost place, stayed on after 3 out, 6th and no chance when jumped left last
In depth
Verdict
Martin Pie's Quick has been in good form this season but his winning run was brought to an end when upped in class at Newbury last time and he looks worth taking on, which we do with Midnight Creek, who is preferred to Fabrezan. The last mentioned has won his last three starts but has more to do here off his new mark, while Nicky Henderson's Old Bean beat a poor bunch at Plumpton last time and faces no easy task on his debut in a handicap today. Nick Gifford's Indeed reverted to hurdling, after a spell chasing, when down the field at Wincanton last month. He is probably better than he showed there and may do better today, while Zero Risk has failed to complete on his last two outings and cannot be ruled out, assuming that he does not make similar mistakes today. The reappearing Heracles and in-form lightweight Leith Hill Star are others to consider but preference is for Midnight Creek. Admittedly, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding has found one too good in each of his three starts this term but the form of those races is solid and he looks worth one more chance with trip and ground to suit.