16:45 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2017

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

bet365 Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 4.5s

Royal Vacation^b,t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 152

10/1

Took advantage of Might Bite's final fence fall to claim a Grade 1 chase at Kempton over Christmas, but no flue about his subsequent win in a competitive novice handicap chase at Cheltenham next time. Poor effort in the RSA but yard had a mixed week, and that effort best forgiven. Chances if bouncing back.

Form: 21311P

Theinval^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148

8/1

Probably would have won at Ayr last week but for a sketchy jump at the last, allowing Cloudy Dream to claim the prize, but generally solid efforts around this trip and on similar ground this season and should again run his race if over those exertions.

Form: 413222

Shantou Village¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 146

3/1

Fall at Wincanton when looking held the only blot on his copybook this season, and duly made light of an easy task at Fontwell on reappearance earlier in the month. Shouldn't have any issues with the trip or ground and looks a major player here.

Form: 2P-11F1

As De Mee²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144

12/1

Twice a winner here over hurdles back in the day, so handles the track fine, and has put in some solid efforts (usually front runs) this year, including when fifth in the Topham last time out. Should go well again and can't be discounted.

Form: 181P25

Plaisir D'Amour⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 139

11/1

Step back up in trip seemed to work the oracle at Cheltenham last time, coming away in the closing stages for an easy victory, but in truth that race took little wining and the handicapper has had his say now. More needed to win this.

Form: 4-P1131

Kilcrea Vale⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139

9/2

Beat As De Mee at Fontwell in a match earlier in the season, and better off at the weights today, so no qualms on a handicapping score, and far from disgraced when stepped up in grade behind Yorkhill at Cheltenham last time. This is slightly easier, and he's not out of it.

Form: 9/12158-

Casino Markets¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: D A Jacob| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 137

14/1

Won a couple of handicap chases last summer, and although he's run respectably on all starts since, the suspicion is that the handicapper has his measure at present. Dropped a pound after latest effort, but others still look to hold stronger claims.

Form: 211343-

Poker School¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 135

13/2

Looked on a steep upward curve over fences when beating Dusky Lark at Ascot and then better still when defeating Two Taffs (who has since boosted the form) at Kempton in December. Warmed up for this with a spin over hurdles at Cheltenham (far from disgraced) and with no issues with track or ground, looks a major player.

Form: 141146-

Brother Tedd²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133

7/1

Had some good form over hurdles but isn't progressing as expected over fences, and latest effort (when made favorite) at Ascot left plenty to be desired. Others look to be improving past him and needs to do better.

Form: 5242F3

Fingerontheswitch^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128

16/1

Got a kicking from the handicapper after his win at Wetherby in January, and despite being quietly fancied a couple of times since, has yet to produce the goods. May be capable of better but comes with a risk or two attached now.

Form: 371725

Non-Runners

Dark Flame²⁷

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: R Rowe J: A Glassonbury

Romain De Senam⁷

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Shantou Village (3/1), Kilcrea Vale (9/2), Poker School (13/2), Brother Tedd (7/1), Romain De Senam (7/1), Theinval (8/1), Royal Vacation (10/1), Plaisir D'Amour (11/1), As De Mee (12/1), Casino Markets (14/1), Dark Flame (16/1), Fingerontheswitch (16/1)

Two difficult handicaps conclude the season. POKER SCHOOL looks to be going places over fences and this sound jumper can take this en route to better things next year. Dark Flame maybe doesn't have the "sexy" profile of a few of these but there's little wrong with his efforts on decent ground and he may surprise. Shantou Village has always been well regarded and should go close.