16:15 Sandown

Friday 17 February 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:4516:1516:45

Alanbrooke Handicap Chase (Qualifier)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 36.85s

Cogry^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134

11/2

Has failed to complete the course on his last four starts over fences but won a hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Pulled up next time on bad ground and possible that race came too soon. His third in the Midlands National last year off a 2lb higher mark suggests he cannot be ruled out.

Form: 33-FBUF

Pete The Feat^t²²

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132

6/1

Landed his first race in over three years when taking a veteran's race here last month. An 8lb rise in the weights looks harsh.

Form: 20-8315

Private Malone⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130

4/1

Unbeaten over hurdles and made a pleasing debut over fences when touched off by Silsol. Has failed to run to that level of form in three starts since over today's trip and has not appeared to stay.

Form: 111/25-5

Knight Of Noir^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128

9/2

Has returned to action for new trainer with two runs down the field on his first attempts over fences. His old hurdling marks suggests he could be leniently treated. Needs to be delivered from well off the pace and at the last possible moment so he is not for the faint hearted. Today's rider knows him well.

Form: 9/73PP3-

Willoughby Hedge^v1²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 124

8/1

Winner at Doncaster a year ago but well below that form in two starts this term. Headgear now tried by trainer who was won two of the last six runnings of this event.

Form: 11/F21-P

Howlongisafoot^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 119

10/1

Undoubtedly chucked in on the best of his form for Paul Nicholls. His current yard are in better form now than was the case for his four lacklustre runs this season. It would be no surprise to see him land this but he remains one for the optimists.

Form: F75614-

Regal Flow^p1²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: R H Buckler| OR: 116

14/1

Winner at Cheltenham in October 2015 and now drops to his most attractive mark since. Headgear now applied following two poor runs this season.

Form: 1552-79

King Of Glory⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114

12/1

Winner when last seen at Warwick over a year ago. This is a much hotter race and will require him to produce a career best. Has not looked too resolute in the past.

Form: 3/4P1-24

Fight Commander⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 113

7/1

Came good at this point last season when securing a Huntingdon victory before finishing a good second at Taunton. Well below that level this term and has something to prove.

Form: 24/P8P2-

Non-Runners

Twenty Eight Guns⁵¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: M Scudamore J: L Treadwell

Forecasts

Twenty Eight Guns (9/4), Private Malone (4/1), Knight Of Noir (9/2), Cogry (11/2), Pete The Feat (6/1), Fight Commander (7/1), Willoughby Hedge (8/1), Howlongisafoot (10/1), King Of Glory (12/1), Regal Flow (14/1)

Twenty Eight Guns is on the crest of a wave right now and steps up to three miles in her hat-trick bid. Her sire's progeny have a poor record over this trip and a chance is taken with KNIGHT OF NOIR. Neil Mulholland's charge will have learnt a lot from his first two runs over fences which followed an 18 month absence. He was rated a stone higher than this over hurdles and although a tricky ride, Nick Schofield knows him very well. He may have most to fear from Cogry who faces his easiest task over fences for some while and can be forgiven his latest run. 1. Knight Of Noir 2. Cogry 3. Twenty Eight Guns