14:30 Sandown

Friday 8 December 2017

All12:5013:2513:5514:3015:0515:35

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Winter Novices' Hurdle )

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 0.8s

Diamant Bleu¹⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 137

16/1

Winner of a competitive hurdle at Auteuil (soft) from four starts to date but well beaten in a Listed contest there last time out. Returning from over five months off the track and he is an interesting runner today.

Form: 52-16

On The Blind Side²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 145| D

7/4

Took his rules career to 2/2 when winning a Grade 2 contest on good-to-soft ground at Cheltenham last month. Had previously won over 2m4f at Aintree (good-to-soft) and likely to prove better over further in time.

Form: 1-11

Dynamite Dollars¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| BF

15/2

Useful form in bumpers and was the winner of his first two novice hurdle starts including at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month. Respectable effort when a close third in a Listed novice hurdle at Haydock (heavy) subsequently and steps up in trip today.

Form: 336-113

Marley Firth¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

8/1

Irish point-to-point winner in May last year and made a winning debut under rules when victorious in a 2m novice hurdle at Chepstow (heavy) last month. Represents a leading stable and is one to note in this contest.

Form: 1-1

Mulcahys Hill²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| D

12/1

Point-to-point winner and the winner of his last two outings under rules most recently when successful on hurdling debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) last month. Stable are in decent form at present (5/28) and he is an interesting runner today.

Form: 1/27-11

Red River^t1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

7/1

Finished runner-up in his sole point-to-point start and made an impressive start to his hurdling career when coming home 13L clear of his rivals at Wincanton (good) over an extended 2m5f in October. Drop in trip not certain to suit today.

Form: 2-1

Springtown Lake¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| D

7/1

Victorious in a maiden hurdle over 2m4f at Worcester (good) in October and appeared to have the race in the bag when falling late on at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) subsequently. Steps up in grade today.

Form: 202-1F

White Moon^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135

4/1

Point-to-point winner in the spring and made it 2/2 over hurdles when successful on soft ground at Exeter over an extended 2m5f last time out. Has looked a very useful recruit in his two starts so far and he is one for the shortlist in this contest.

Form: 5F-111

Forecasts

On The Blind Side (7/4), White Moon (4/1), Springtown Lake (7/1), Red River (7/1), Dynamite Dollars (15/2), Marley Firth (8/1), Mulcahys Hill (12/1), Diamant Bleu (16/1)

WHITE MOON has impressed in both hurdles outings to date and he is taken to make a successful step up in class by taking this competitive looking Grade 2 novice hurdle. The selection hails from a stable who can boast a 20% strike-rate (7/35) of late and he can get the better of the penalised On The Blind Side who may find this trip on the sharp side while Springtown Lake, a likely winner prior to coming down in a handicap last time out can claim third.