held up, pulled hard, headway 8th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 7th, outpaced after next, rallied after 3 out, went 3rd after next, not fluent last, kept closing on 2nd flat, no chance with winner
mid-division, hit 4th, fell 6th
led until 7th, chased leader until ridden and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader until approaching 4th, remained handy, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear on outside, pushed along 5th, hampered and behind next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch on outside, went 2nd approaching 4th, led and not fluent 7th, headed approaching 2 out, weakening when not fluent last
in touch, challenged 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon no impression on winner, not fluent last
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway when mistake 7th, led approaching 2 out, well clear before last, easily
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
not jump well, soon chasing leaders, lost place before 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, ridden when not fluent 7th, never in contention
Nonrunner
The most competitive race of the day and DR HART is our idea of the most likely winner with Openide and Alteranthela the dangers. Vic Dartnall's veteran seemed to relish the step up in trip at Sandown having previously dropped a heavy hint at Exeter. The yard continue in good form and with a strong pace likely, he should have conditions very much to suit. Openide wouldn't be an obvious player on recent form though a perusal at his wide margin win at Uttoxeter, brings him into the reckoning. If he decides that he fancies the idea of winning, he will prove a tough nut to crack. Alteranthela comes into the category of an unexposed sort. His performances have largely obtained on a softer surface but he should stay this three miles. Deep Pockets is the only course and distance winner and with Towcester being a fairly esoteric circuit, the value of those form lines should not be underestimated. Ballyvesey showed plenty of resilliance when accounting for Key Time at Market Rasen and would have to be a player. Chaim has proved disappointing this term though could be conceivably well handicapped as a result. Gentle Caribou is watched in the market as his yard are in such rude form at present. Martin Keighley has made a name for himself with improving stayers and while a 4lb rise for Mauricetheathlete will have gone down like a lead balloon; he will appreciate a step back up to three miles. Little George and C'Monthehammers have taken on better opposition though may be vulnerable to improvers. Dr Hart looks the best treated of this bunch so he has to be our recommendation in a race where it is hard to rule many out with complete confidence.
Little George (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway when mistake 5th, outpaced next, not fluent 3 out, no impression after, 4th of 14, 28l behind Peveril (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
C'Monthehammers (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Led to 2nd, left in lead 8th, headed 11th, reminders and dropped rear next, behind when hampered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Kanpai (10-5) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Oct, 6 ran.
Vivarini 3-1 (10-6) Held up in main group, headway after 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 48l behind Marodima (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Openide 33-1 (10-10) Towards rear, not always fluent, blundered 3rd, some headway 25th, mistake 27th, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, just failed to get 4th, 5th of 12, 10l behind Garde Champetre (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gs in Nov.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 15-8fav (11-6) Led to 5th, tracked leader, pushed along approaching 5 out, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Portrait Royale (10-5) by 7l, 5 ran.
Mauricetheathlete (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Sn to, 6th of 10, well behind Echoesofthepast (12-0) at Didmarton 3m ptp gf.
Alteranthela (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Ravenclaw (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Glebehall Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led after 6th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Rock Wren (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Ballyvesey (IRE) 11-4 (10-0) In touch, ridden to chase leader last, driven to lead flat idled near finish, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd beating Key Time (10-8) by 1l, 7 ran.
Chaim (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Keen in rear, mistake 4th, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on flat, 5th of 13, 10l behind Dr Hart (10-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Three Guesses (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led narrowly 2nd, headed before 6th, reminders before 8th, outpaced 4 out, moderate rally after next, tailed off, 5th of 7, 32l behind Voramar Two (11-9) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Gentle Caribou (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, chased leader until weakened on long run to 3 out, 4th of 7, 18l behind Pomander (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) hvy.
Quay Meadow (IRE) 17-2 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, led approaching last, kept on, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs beating Dauntsey Bay (10-6) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Dr Hart (IRE) 10-3fav (10-6) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden headway 2 out, driven to lead final strides, won at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Pocket Too (10-1) by shd, 13 ran.
