Racecards
15:30 Sandown Park
Durkan Group Novices' Chase (Class 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £16,500 added
- Form 31734U
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer R H Buckler
- Jockey D A Jacob
chased leaders until lost touch 7th, tailed off
- Form 31111/1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
jumped well, prominent, led 7th, joined 3 out, kept on well from last, pushed out
- Form 2P-12F6
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey D Elsworth
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance when fell heavily 2 out
- Form 042B
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey D P O'Dwyer
chased leaders until lost touch 7th, tailed off
- Form 4063-31
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 128
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
led until 7th, with winner, ridden after 3 out, left close 2nd next, kept on, always held from last
In depth
Verdict
A clear round should see Noland cement his Arkle credentials. It's interesting to see Pyschomodo switch to chasing at this stage of the season but My Petra's fencing experience may prove crucial in the battle for minor honours. The selection was faultless on his chase bow at Folkestone and wasn't hardpressed to win as he liked. There's no doubting that he has the class to be a serious contender in the Arkle and he should be able to win this as he likes. Keepthedreamalive has run fifteen times over fences, often in top company, and may be able to pick up some place prize money. Psychomodo had been enjoying a decent season over hurdles prior to a slightly disappointing performance last time; he's an interesting prospect for chasing when granted a realistic opportunity. Kervriou should be able to win a modest race whilst My Petra is tough and should acquit herself creditably. This is only about one horse though and that horse is Noland.
Formwatch
Keepthedreamalive 7-1 (11-4) Blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Classic Fiddle (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs, 9 ran.
Noland 8-13fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear 2 out, ran on, won at Folkestone 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Jan beating Polinamix (10-11) by 9l, 4 ran.
Psychomodo 15-8fav (11-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance when hampered 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 15, 9l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Kervriou (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Held up when brought down at the 2nd in race won by Overlut (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs, 6 ran.
My Petra 4-6fav (10-10) Chased leader, closed after 3 out, reminders after 2 out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Hereford 2m mrs beg chs (4) gs beating Strawberry (10-12) by a nk, 6 ran.