15:30 Sandown

Saturday 9 December 2017

All12:0512:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Betfair London National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 7m 40.1s

Southfield Theatre^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| C

8/1

Below par in just two starts last term but decent effort on return last month after 11 month absence when a never nearer fourth over 3m1f at Wincanton. Fourth in valuable bet365 Gold Cup over C&D in 2016 and not ruled out here.

Form: 4B4/F8-4

Houblon Des Obeaux^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 143| C

7/1

Always goes well fresh so no surprise that he won first time out over 3m here. Last year's highlight was a third in the Welsh National (10th in Grand National). Won off higher marks in past so well capable of another bold bid here.

Form: 34840-1

Fletchers Flyer^p1,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 140| BF

7/1

Relatively unexposed over this sort of trip but won over 3m6f in April 2016. Pulled-up in Irish National to end last season and first time out this term at Wincanton. No doubt he is on a workable mark but must bounce back.

Form: 2/173P-P

Dancing Shadow^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 138

16/1

Won twice last term including when upped to a marathon 4m1f at Musselburgh. Midfield in Scottish National to end the campaign and won first time out this term over 2m5½f at Exeter. Will enjoy this extra mile so can't be ruled out.

Form: 411P0-1

Cresswell Breeze^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 137

8/1

Gained second chasing victory of her career first time out over 3m3½f at Fontwell. 7lb rise puts her on a career high mark but that fair enough given Fontwell performance probably career best.

Form: 25298-1

Doing Fine^p,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Geraghty| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137

11/2

In good form last term including win over 3m4f at Cheltenham. Again started this term positively with a fourth at Fontwell followed by a staying on third over 3m1f at Cheltenham. Extra trip today will help and jockey booking positive.

Form: 2215-43

Benbens²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135

14/1

A couple of years since last win but good efforts in between highlighted by excellent Scottish National third and C&D bet365 Gold Cup fourth. Yet to show top form this term although he is now handicapped to go well.

Form: 8/P34-74

Sugar Baron^b1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135

3/1

Still relatively early in his career over such trip but ran well when seventh in the C&D bet365 Gold Cup last term (jumped last in second). Staying on second on return over 3m1f at Cheltenham positive and blinkers added so big player.

Form: F36F7-2

Topper Thornton³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: D A Jacob| T: A M Hales| OR: 132

20/1

Seemed to lose his way a little in Ireland but better race on stable debut at Carlisle last month when he was second over 3m2f. Not certain he needs this sort of test however going off past form.

Form: P039-82

The Happy Chappy^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: H Cobden| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 120

7/1

Won two of his three chase starts to date at up to 3m2½f. Looks like he will relish this extra distance so could give a good account despite marked step up in class and fact he is 2lb out of the handicap.

Form: P5-1211

Non-Runners

The Young Master³⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: 2nd Preference

Milansbar¹⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 10

T: N B King J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Sugar Baron (3/1), Doing Fine (11/2), Houblon Des Obeaux (7/1), Fletchers Flyer (7/1), The Happy Chappy (7/1), Cresswell Breeze (8/1), Southfield Theatre (8/1), Benbens (14/1), Milansbar (14/1), The Young Master (14/1), Dancing Shadow (16/1), Topper Thornton (20/1)

SUGAR BARON could have more to come over this sort of trip and his return this season over 3m1f left the impression that he would be in the winner's enclosure sooner rather than later. Doing Fine is another leading candidate based on his good start to the season. He should be better still over this trip and has Barry Geraghty up today. Houblon Des Obeaux is one to catch first time out but the manner of his win first time this campaign left the impression that there was more to come particularly over today's longer distance so he too must be considered.