17:20 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2017

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

bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 4m 40.00s

Black Corton^h,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140

16/1

Thriving on the quick ground recently, and although not all his wins have come easily, is clearly going the right way. 5lb rise for latest win seems a touch harsh, however, and this asks a bit more of him.

Form: 1-31121

Thomas Campbell²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139

5/1

Running well in competitive handicaps recently, and was noted doing some good late work at Aintree on latest start. This track should suit him better, and from the same mark today, there seems no reason he won't run his race today.

Form: 111554

Stowaway Magic¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139

10/1

Improving quickly and stepped up on anything he'd done previously when a good winner at Kempton on latest start, beating the useful Oscar Hoof with a bit in hand. 9lb rise for that asks more, but no saying how much more he's got to give.

Form: 4-12151

Valhalla^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138

16/1

Change of tactics and big drop back in trip did the trick at Taunton two starts back, looking a rejuvenated horse when making all and finding plenty to win, so slight surprise he was held up at Haydock on latest start. Not disgraced there though, and may yet have more to offer.

Form: 437P16

Wait For Me^h,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

5/1

Dangerously well handicapped on the best of his form, and looked to be heading back to something like that when a staying-on ninth in the County Hurdle. Yet to prove himself at this trip, however, and on that score, others are preferred.

Form: 4-86509

Chelsea Flyer²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 134

10/1

Has disappointed on occasions this year but looks to be getting the hang of things now and followed up a win in a little race at Doncaster with a good effort behind Finian's Oscar in a Grade 1 at Aintree. Trip is the worry, as best form at shorter, but remains of interest.

Form: 2-32517

Duke Street^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 134

10/1

Drop back to this trip looks a positive move, as he's appeared not to quite get home over 3m on latest two starts, but wasn't disgraced when third at Cheltenham latest and should run his race. Place chances.

Form: 022403

Pilansberg^b,t1⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133

20/1

Won a facile match at Fontwell on latest start (started 1/25 for it) and better judged on previous second to a rejuvenated Dell Arca at Ascot. Can look a hard ride at times and may have his own ideas about things, and may find this a bit too tough.

Form: 7-19321

Oscar Hoof¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

25/1

Chances of reversing Kempton form with Stowaway Magic from a handicapping point of view but may not be on the same improving curve as that one, although that was a better effort than previously. May be best on flat tracks and a little to prove here.

Form: 211F/P2

Tree Of Liberty⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 130

16/1

Improving and turned over the long odds-on Burbank (who ran well in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival next time out) at Musselburgh on latest start. 5lb rise for that more than fair and should get involved if handling the different track configuration here.

Form: 2-23221

Curious Carlos²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 129

25/1

Regressive and mark falling quickly after some moderate efforts last few. Needs to turn that around and shows no signs of doing so.

Form: 363060

Novalis³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: C Von Der Recke| OR: 125

12/1

Impossible to weigh up as all his form is from small races abroad, but latest win came on heavy and there's no form at the trip, so all in all, best watched here unless market suggests otherwise.

Form: 1-1

Silverhow¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr H Hunt⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

12/1

Game win at Cheltenham latest, particularly as the ground may well have been quick enough for him there, and as a Sandown winner earlier in the season, has no issues with the track. Likely quick ground again here and a 4lb rise ask more, but clearly in good heart.

Form: 971216-

Little Jon^p⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124

33/1

Looked like he might have a future over fences but mistakes held him back, and in truth, has looked a shadow of the horse he may have been. Recent efforts don't inspire much confidence and despite tempting mark, others hold stronger claims.

Form: 97535P-

Limited Reserve¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: D F O'Regan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 121

6/1

Going the right way and latest second to the improving Stamp Your Feet was a solid one, looking all the better as he lost a shoe. 4lb higher here and a slight question as to whether really fast ground would suit, but respected all the same.

Form: 355112

Kings Walk⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118

16/1

Won a maiden hurdle at Fontwell in January but didn't pull up any trees on handicap debut there the month after and needs to find plenty of improvement to get involved here. Yard in good form but best watched.

Form: 48-8416

Forecasts

Wait For Me (5/1), Thomas Campbell (5/1), Limited Reserve (6/1), Stowaway Magic (10/1), Chelsea Flyer (10/1), Duke Street (10/1), Silverhow (12/1), Novalis (12/1), Kings Walk (16/1), Black Corton (16/1), Valhalla (16/1), Tree Of Liberty (16/1), Pilansberg (20/1), Curious Carlos (25/1), Oscar Hoof (25/1), Little Jon (33/1)

Nicky Henderson can have the last laugh on a card loaded with his and his main rival Paul NIcholls' runners with STOWAWAY MAGIC, who won is latest start (from stablemate Oscar Hoof, who also has chances here) with ease and can defy the handicapper again. Tree Of Liberty is lightly raced and his form stands up to scrutiny. If he's as happy here as Musselburgh he'd have a good chance. Thomas Campbell is consistent and can swell the Henderson coffers further by hitting the frame again.