12:40 Sandown
Saturday 4 February 2017
All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05
Betfred 'Home Of Goals Galore' Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 3 | 1m 7f 216y | Heavy (Soft in the back straight) | 9 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 4m 15.1s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Finished ninth in the Champion Bumper last year and justified prohibitive odds on last two starts. Will need to step up on that again here but should be thereabouts in this if he's to justify his Neptune entry at the Festival. Concedes weight all-round.
Won a maiden point-to-point in good style back in December and has shown a fair aptitude in three subsequent starts over hurdles. Slight question mark over whether slower ground will suit and may struggle with a couple in here but has more experience than most and could run in to a place.
Not seen since finishing tailed off at Ascot over two years ago and percentage call says he will need the run. 10lb claimer booked who has two wins from 57 rides.
A maiden winner on the Flat, has little to show over hurdles so far, beaten 34L and 85L in what look weaker races to this at Newbury on his two starts. Appears to be the stable first string on jockey bookings but needs plenty more.
Fair Flat performer who made a promising hurdles debut at odds of 40/1 when fourth of 13 at Exeter. This is undoubtedly a stronger race though but will have learned from that experience and may get involved for minor honours.
Triple-Listed winner on the Flat in France and Germany who was once placed in a German Group Two. Joined current yard almost a year ago, so surprising that his debut for them has taken so long in coming. Proven in these kind of conditions on the Flat but hard to assess in this and market check advised.
Won off a mark of 87 on the Flat and finished a neck runner-up behind Oceanographer off a mark of 96. If transferring all that ability to this sphere, he would be dangerous to rule out and likely to be the stable first string with the Champion Jockey booked.
May have needed the experience when he faded on his debut at Musselburgh last November in a bumper. The short break may have done him some good but likely to be the stable second-string with Johnson booked on Scrutinise.
One win from three starts over hurdles and got turned over at odds of 1/3 last time over C&D. Previous second behind Defi Du Seuil looks easily the best form on offer in this race but has questions to answer after that disappointing effort in similar ground to this last time.
Forecasts
Rather Be (5/4), Coeur de Lion (7/4), Accord (11/2), Scrutinise (9/1), Sergio (33/1), Nicolosio (33/1), Altaayil (50/1), Bazooka (66/1), Ahio (66/1)
With their likely to be very little value at the top of the market, a chance is taken on Scrutinise to take to this side of the game on the first time of asking. He cost this yard 80,000 gns and with the Champion Jockey booked, he's expected to go well. Rather Be has been consistent but needs to step up on the bare level of his form here and Coeur de Lion disappointed at short odds last time but would have an obvious chance on his previous second behind a highly progressive type.
1. Scrutinise
2. Rather Be
3. Coeur de Lion
Prize Money
1st: £6,498.002nd: £1,908.003rd: £954.004th: £477.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
