Racecards
16:20 Sandown Park
'Ubique' Hunters' Chase (Class H)
- 18 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Form 6102-23
- Age 9
- Weight 12-4
- Trainer Mrs C Gorman
- Jockey Mr M Gorman
in touch, hit 8th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
- Form 34-1436
- Age 12
- Weight 12-4
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Miss C Tizzard
in touch, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
- Form 12-1124
- Age 9
- Weight 12-4
- Trainer C St Fox
- Jockey Mr N R Mitchell
held up behind, hit 8th, steady headway from next, led on bit after 2 out, quickened clear flat, readily
- Form F/31-P15
- Age 11
- Weight 12-4
- Trainer F Hutsby
- Jockey Mr F Hutsby
chased leaders until weakened approaching 10th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 23-P33U
- Age 11
- Weight 12-1
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Mrs B Keighley
chased leaders, hampered 3rd, ridden and blundered 2 out, kept on same pace
Hermes III (FR)
292- Form 1113P-3
- Age 9
- Weight 12-1
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
chased leaders, led 7th until 11th, led after 13th, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on but not pace of winner
- Form 40F443
- Age 9
- Weight 12-1
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Mr R Bandey
led until 3rd, chased leaders until weakened after 13th
- Form 3435-PR
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Ms Louise Cullen
- Jockey Mr P Cowley
always towards rear
- Form 31-22P0
- Age 12
- Weight 11-10
in touch, ridden after 10th, weakening when blundered 3 out
Rock Rose
39- Form 46545-6
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer G Davis
- Jockey Miss P Gundry
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
Win The Toss
39- Form 31-5602
- Age 12
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer P York
- Jockey Mr R M Green
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Chief of Justice
271- Form P4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Mrs Laura J Young
- Jockey Mr James Young
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, blundered 6th, weakened approaching 11th
Hot Plunge
19- Form FRP-12P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Mrs J Lomax
- Jockey Mr J Owen
led 3rd until 7th, led 11th, headed after 13th, soon weakened
Jazz Night
25- Form 6/200-R
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Shaun Lycett
- Jockey Mr S Joynes
dwelt, always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
- Form 64655-5
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer R Gurney
- Jockey Mrs J Gordon
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
In depth
Verdict
A cracking good hunter chase can go to Hermes Iii ahead of Irbee and Red Brook Lad, with a number of others worthy of consideration. Hermes Iii is the highest-rated of these on official ratings and the Mick Easterby-trained inmate rattled up a hat-trick of wins between May and December 2002, including once over course and distance. He looks to hold solid claims here. The Paul Nicholls-trained Irbee, fourth in last season's Aintree Foxhunters, remains smart at this level. Red Brook Lad came good in a couple of spring hunter chases last year and, still only nine, is entitled to be improving. Route One is consistent in races of this type, but this is a little more competitive than his usual level. Westerton has a similar profile. Bosuns Mate was decent under Rules in 2001 but we prefer others today. Esprit de Cotte was useful under Rules a couple of years back but is probably not quite up to that level now. Good Time Melody showed plenty of promise at Wincanton last time when returning from injury, while recent point winner Hot Plunge is certainly young enough to be an improver in this sphere. As we say, it's a very good hunter chase, one in which we give the nomination to Hermes Iii.