Racecards
16:00 Sandown Park
Celebration Novices' Chase (Class B) (Class B)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Rnd Crse & Nat Ht G/F, Gd in pls, Str Crse G/F, Firm in pls
- Form 12P1F1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
pressed leader, not fluent 7th, soon driven, weakened and lost touch after 4 out, tailed off
- Form 212116
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
made most, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on again flat, no chance with winner
- Form P/004P1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer A Juckes
- Jockey V Slattery
jumped slowly in rear, struggling from 11th, tailed off when blundered 3 out
- Form 1-11212
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey R Thornton
tracked leaders going well, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, soon clear, stayed on well flat
In depth
Verdict
This gives Maximize a chance to atone for a poor display at the festival. He will love this faster surface and should hold too many guns for Poliantas. Paul Nicholl's five-year-old, gets a handy 11lb off Maximize, but is probably at his best when there is plenty of give underfoot. Lanmire Tower, a lucky winner last time, is more than useful, but should not be a problem to Maximize at level weights. Charlie Chang is simply outclassed.