16:10 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 5m 20.8s

Old Guard²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

20/1

No win on the card this season, but has turned in the odd good effort and gives the impression the ability is still there. Decent enough sixth in the Coral Cup in March under a big weight, but a bit to find with the principals all the same.

Form: 434774

Ptit Zig^b²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: N D Fehily| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149

8/1

Winner of the valuable French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil last year, but his efforts this season have left something to be desired. Well beaten in the Stayers Hurdle at Liverpool when last seen, and needs to bounce back to best here.

Form: 413486

The New One²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 161

5/2

Top-class on his day, but jumping technique has often held him back from realising his full potential. Often jumps right-handed, so track should suit, but this will be as far as he's gone before and does set him a new task. The one to beat at the weights, but not bombproof by any means.

Form: F-12153

Modus^h⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 156

9/2

For of his Lanzarote win in January has received quite a few boosts, and did little wrong when a good sixth under a big weight in the Coral Cup on latest start. Appears to still be on an upward curve and with no trip or ground worries, looks a big player.

Form: 0-32716

Rather Be²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143

5/1

Improving and put an early mishap in the Martin Pipe handicap at the Cheltenham Festival behind him when a game winner of a Grade 3 handicap at Aintree on latest start. Steps up in grade here and this requires more, but is going the right way and may outrun odds.

Form: 9-112U1

Beat That⁸⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150

14/1

Looked top-class back in 2014 when defeating World Hurdle winner Cole Harden at Aintree and followed that up with a defeat of the classy Don Poli in a Grade 1 at Punchestown, but not seen out since a heavy defeat in January 2015 at Cheltenham. Asking a lot to come back after such an absence.

Form: 612116/

L'Ami Serge⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 155

7/2

Has been called a few names over the years, and there's no doubting he probably should have won more races than he has done, but hard to knock some of his efforts this year (almost snatched the County Hurdle) but best efforts at shorter, and on that, others are preferred today.

Form: 223325

Volnay De Thaix¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150

16/1

Capable of good form when on song, and second to Junction Fourteen on this card last year a solid effort, but has shown little in two starts since and reverts to hurdles here. Too much to prove now, and can't really be considered.

Form: 052/5P3-

Forecasts

The New One (5/2), L'Ami Serge (7/2), Modus (9/2), Rather Be (5/1), Ptit Zig (8/1), Beat That (14/1), Volnay De Thaix (16/1), Old Guard (20/1)

The New One is the one to beat on the figures, but MODUS has less to prove in terms of the trip and wouldn't need much more to defeat his higher-rated rival here. He may still have more to offer and can strike a blow for Paul Nicholls in the trainers championship. L'Ami Serge looks the best of the Henderson four on paper, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Rather Be improve again and take the bronze medal home.