15:35 Sandown

Saturday 6 January 2018

All12:1512:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

32Red.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 4m 6.55s

Call Me Lord⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| BF| CD

5/2

Impressive when winning over C&D at end of last season, but pulled too hard for his own good when beaten (at odds-on) on reappearance at Huntingdon. Bigger field here means that may be less of an issue, so with no ground worries, may bounce back.

Form: 5111-3

Brillare Momento^t1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: M Keighley| OR: 137

8/1

Looked a mare going places until her momentum was stopped at Cheltenham last time, finishing well beaten. This ground an unknown as well, so questions to answer now, and others preferred.

Form: U11-218

Raven's Tower²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: James Banks| T: B Pauling| OR: 132| D

20/1

Was on an upward curve until blowing out at Cheltenham last time, but easy to find excuses for that (short of room at a crucial time) and may get back on track here, although this handicap mark leaves little room for error.

Form: 7P-2210

Hurricane Hollow⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

14/1

Back with Dan Skelton after a spell with David Barron, wasn't really in any great form on the Flat last year and this mark looks plenty high enough on what he's achieved so far. Only of interest if strong in the market.

Form: 141839/

Our Merlin²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 123| D

7/2

Has won his last three without coming off the bridle and this ground will pose no problem, but the handicapper slaps him with a whopping 23lb fine for those wins and that makes life tougher. No saying we've got to the bottom of him yet though.

Form: 0-6F111

Gassin Golf^p,t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122| D

7/1

Plenty of ability but has been a hard one to win with over the years, and recent form leaves him plenty to find. However, handicapper dropping him chunks now and conditions here ideal, so can't be totally ruled out, with excellent jockey booking.

Form: P/25F0-8

Drops Of Jupitor^h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: R Johnson| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 121| D

7/1

Looked a horse on an upward curve when winning with any amount in hand at Exeter last time, travelling well and coming clear easily. However, that form easy enough to knock, and opening mark no gimme, so may need more here.

Form: 410-721

Clayton^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| D

7/1

Refound a bit of form when settling better than is the norm at Lingfield last time (given his head and allowed to make all), and 3lb rise for that is fair. This is a tougher race though, so needs to come on from that again, and others preferred.

Form: 02/2-041

Dartagnan Le Dun¹⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 119

66/1

First run for new yard since coming over from France, where he was getting beaten big distances. Looks one to need a bit of time and not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 08-4056

Monty's Award^h1¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 114| D

14/1

Won a competitive Worcester bumper back in 2016 but hasn't really gone on from that, and was well beaten at Kempton when last seen. Plenty to prove now, and addition of a hood needs to have a big impact.

Form: 14-330

Forecasts

Call Me Lord (5/2), Our Merlin (7/2), Gassin Golf (7/1), Drops Of Jupitor (7/1), Clayton (7/1), Brillare Momento (8/1), Monty's Award (14/1), Hurricane Hollow (14/1), Raven's Tower (20/1), Dartagnan Le Dun (66/1)

This looks quite open, and plenty can be given a chance. There shouldn't be a lack of pace on, with both Brillaire Momento and Monty's Award in the field and that should help CALL ME LORD settle a bit better. He has the potential to be better than a handicapper and can take this. Gassin Golf has had his supporters banging their heads against walls over the years, but this test looks ideal and under a patient Brian Hughes ride, looks the main danger. Our Merlin has absolutely hosed up in his last three and even a near two-stone weight rise might not stop him if he can continue in the same vein.