17:10 Sandown

Friday 28 April 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:10

bet365 Handicap

Off time: 17:12 | Winning time: 2m 12.92s

(1)

Bear Valley²⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 91

33/1

Nicely drawn for one who likes to push the pace although he looked to have gone the wrong way at the end of last year with three poor runs. Prior to that he'd shown good form over 7f with a win in a big-field Goodwood nursery showing him at his best although he was arguably highly tried after that win in Group 3's and a Listed race. Should stay this trip and possible that a winter off has rejuvenated him.

Form: 211680-

(2)

First Nation⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 91

7/1

From a yard and an owning operation that have made a good start to the season and shaped very well on his seasonal debut to take second to one in the same ownership (different trainer) at Doncaster over 1m2f. Totally failed to fire last time out at Newmarket and ran too badly to be true and worth another chance on his Doncaster form.

Form: 61-202

(6)

Naseem¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 90

9/4

One of two from this yard who won this in 2015 and he makes his first foray into handicap company here after confirming his debut promise with a win at Chelmsford over a mile. Steps back up in trip here (ran over this trip on debut) and very much the sort to go on improving.

Form: 31-

(8)

Glencadam Glory^h1²³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 86

5/1

The second of the runners from this yard who has a very similar profile to his stablemate having been placed on his debut and then improving to win next time out. Yet to try this distance though although very much has a pedigree that should suit and the yard are in sparkling form. Yard have a good record with horses in first-time headgear and the hood is used for the first time here.

Form: 21-5

(3)

Century Dream^t1¹⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 86

7/2

Improvement has been there on each of his runs so far resulting in a win in a Nottingham maiden in October over a mile with cut in the ground (form franked by wins of third and fourth). Stable have made a bright start to the year and looks as though this 1m2f will suit and further progress likely making his handicap debut.

Form: 531-3

(4)

Flood Warning²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: C G Cox| OR: 83

16/1

Far too green to land a blow on her debut at the end of last season she showed the benefit of that outing when winning back-to-back races on the AW at Wolverhampton over 1m1f and 1m2f. Returned to turf at Doncaster she found the competition too strong and off the same mark this could be the same case again.

Form: 5-1161

(5)

Anythingtoday¹⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 82

7/2

Lightly raced as a juvenile he got off the mark on the AW at Wolverhampton over 1m1f travelling strongly. Pedigree suggests that further will suit but hasn't looked as though he's in need of an extended trip. Comes from an upwardly mobile stable and likely to be on the premises here if ready to go after a break.

Form: 341-

(7)

Gravity Wave¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: M Dwyer| T: S Kirk| OR: 75

40/1

Built on his debut promise when winning a Salisbury maiden over 7f on tip of the ground. Below form on his AW/handicap debut although hold-up tactics didn't appear to suit and there was market interest for his seasonal return at Nottingham where he was slow away and shaped as if he would be better for the effort. Didn't totally convince that he needs this trip but worth another chance to prove himself at it.

Form: 316-77

Forecasts

Naseem (9/4), Century Dream (7/2), Anythingtoday (7/2), Glencadam Glory (5/1), First Nation (7/1), Flood Warning (16/1), Bear Valley (33/1), Gravity Wave (40/1)

This is traditionally a strong handicap although it’s unlikely to throw up one as good as the 2015 winner – Jack Hobbs – who went on to finish second in Derby and win the Irish version of that race. The last ten winners of this have all finished first or second last time out so that throws the Gosden pair NASEEM and Glencadam Glory right into the frame. The former is just preferred of the pair from a yard that have started the season well. Century Dream may well step forward on his handicap debut with Anythingtoday another one representing the strong bunch of handicap debutantes to throw into the mix.