16:05 Sandown

Saturday 4 February 2017

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

Betfred Super League Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:09 | Winning time: 5m 22.10s

Russian Service²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 125

7/1

Surprise winner last time out at Chepstow at odds of 25/1 but there was no fluke about that performance and prior runs over this sort of trip are probably best ignored. Claimer holds a respectable record and well worth his 7lb so plenty to like about this ones chances.

Form: 1-3

Another Venture³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 120

5/1

Just found one too good on both starts to date and handicap mark certainly looks fair so looks capable of going one better here.

Form: 2221

Druid's Folly^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: F O'Brien| OR: 118

7/4

Beaten short-priced favourite last time out and possibly caught out a little by the ground. That has to be a concern with similar conditions forecast here but booking of Champion Jockey suggests a big run may be expected.

Form: 1/31352-

Captain Felix³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 116

33/1

Still a maiden over hurdles and handicap mark looks no gimme considering his Flat form. Likely to make another bold bid from the front but may find a few too good yet again.

Form: /-274

Butney Island^v1⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 115

25/1

Just one win to date but that came on good to firm and he's likely to do better at the summer jumps meetings rather than the slog this could turn into.

Form: 1348P6-

Justification²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

14/1

Smart performer on the Flat in Ireland and yard do well with such recruits. Returned from nearly three years off the track last start with a promising fourth of 11 and entitled to have needed the run. Place claims for a trainer with a fantastic record around here.

Form: 34/

Mixchievous¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 107

9/1

Has never really gotten properly into any of his races, including some at a similar level to this. Slipping down the handicap now and gradually improving for it, but others seem more likely types today and should do better with time.

Form: 5404-65

Cheque En Blanc^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: T Dowling⁽⁷⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 104

7/1

Showed ability at provincial courses in France as a youngster but he has failed to live up to the promise in five starts in the UK. Little better last time but this looks a stronger race.

Form: 84PP7-6

Welluptoscratch^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: L P Aspell| T: D W P Arbuthnot| OR: 104

6/1

At a similar weight today to when not all that far away in a novice handicap at Warwick last time. He made a mistake in the last in what was his handicap debut that day and has definite form claims if coming on for that run over a new trip but may want faster ground than this.

Form: 53/162-4

Non-Runners

Chorus Of Lies⁴¹

Weight: 10-3| Age: 5

T: Alexandra Dunn J: Brendan Powell

Forecasts

Druid's Folly (7/4), Another Venture (5/1), Welluptoscratch (6/1), Russian Service (7/1), Cheque En Blanc (7/1), Mixchievous (9/1), Chorus Of Lies (12/1), Justification (14/1), Butney Island (25/1), Captain Felix (33/1)

There was plenty to like about the last start of RUSSIAN SERVICE and he looks capable of recording back-to-back wins for this talented jockey well worth his 7lb claim. Another Venture has been a little unlucky not to win of late and his opening mark looks fair while Justification returned from a lengthy absence last time and has place claims provided he doesn't "bounce". 1. Russian Service 2. Another Venture 3. Justification