15:00 Sandown

Saturday 4 February 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 9.10s

Mr Mix^p1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

11/1

Got back on track with a Wincanton win last time out and produced a better jumping display than his previous efforts. Still early days so if the step up in trip brings out more improvement and he's banished his jumping errors to history, he may recorded back-to-back wins here.

Form: F/51PU0-

Connetable¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144

33/1

Course winner who interestingly reverts back to hurdles after two chase efforts, winning chase debut at Wincanton. Latest effort at Newbury was pretty disappointing though and needs to bounce back.

Form: 418706-

Ruacana¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 137

16/1

Steps right back up in trip after a decent second over an extended 2m5f last time. However, he seems better over shorter than this and this may turn in to a slog.

Form: 400-465

Billy No Name³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 136

20/1

Effective in these sorts of conditions and won for this rider two starts back at Lingfield. Respectable fifth of 17 last time at Chepstow last time and jockey's 10lb claim could get him back in contention if he's value for it (Rider has three wins from six rides).

Form: 2715-61

Kk Lexion⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 135

9/1

Very impressive last time when bolting up at Wincanton and shapes like this even longer should suit. Not missed by the handicapper with a 13lb rise but there could be more to come over this longer trip.

Form: 31431P

Valhalla^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134

16/1

One win from nine starts under Rules. Didn't appear to take to chasing last time but been consistent over hurdles before that. However, a combination of softer ground and others being better handicapped is off-putting enough this time around.

Form: 437P16

Rolling Dylan^p1³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132

5/1

Very consistent type who seems to have a habit of bumping into one at the moment; finishing second on four of his last six starts. Up 8lb for recent neck second leaves him needing a career best but not without claims.

Form:

El Terremoto⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

7/1

French import who tackles an extended 2m7f for the first time today having won two of his four starts since moving to his current yard from France. Seems a versatile performer and still on the upgrade.

Form: 342-511

Fountains Windfall¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130

16/1

Landed a Fontwell maiden hurdle last spring, though comfortably beaten at Listed level on sole start since. Looks likely to have some nice races in him, though this may be just a bit too hot.

Form: 173111

Lord Of The Island²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129

10/1

Steps up in trip after a good third behind Modus at Kempton last time. Question marks over whether the forecast ground suits as well here and others probably have better claims from a handicapping perspective.

Form: 031-P13

Behind Time⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 128

5/1

Showed improved form to take a conditionals' handicap hurdle at Cheltenham two starts back winning very cosily from Solomon Grundy. That one got his revenge at Newbury last time but the form has a solid look to it and leading claims for shrewd trainer.

Form: 853-146

Ballyculla²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128

25/1

Returns from chasing after almost three years. Has been disappointing on his last few chase starts but could give them something to think about if the return to hurdles sparks a big improvement.

Form: 51F1P-5

Fortunate George^v²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123

10/1

Generally a consistent performer and unexposed over this sort of trip but he's probably better on fast ground than what is forecast here.

Form: 173/421-

Desert Sensation^t,v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: J E Moore| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123

10/1

Gone up 24lb since he started winning in October but still competitive off 3lb lower than this last time and could run into a place.

Form: 515311

Non-Runners

Little Boy Boru⁴⁹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 9

T: Miss S Smith J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Behind Time (5/1), Rolling Dylan (5/1), El Terremoto (7/1), Kk Lexion (9/1), Lord Of The Island (10/1), Fortunate George (10/1), Desert Sensation (10/1), Mr Mix (11/1), Fountains Windfall (16/1), Ruacana (16/1), Valhalla (16/1), Billy No Name (20/1), Little Boy Boru (20/1), Ballyculla (25/1), Connetable (33/1)

As competitive a handicap as one will see but preference is for KK LEXION. There's a chance this trip could spark some improvement and he may be able to defy his rise in the weights. Behind Time comes from what looks like a hot race at Newbury last time and he's probably better than that finishing position suggests, after hanging on the run in. El Terremoto isn't the easiest to assess but this step up in trip could see him to better effect and he shapes like a stamina test would suit. 1. Kk Lexion 2. Behind Time 3. El Terremoto