15:30 Sandown

Friday 16 February 2018

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:35

Smarkets 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 4  |   1m 7f 216y  |   Heavy (Soft in back straight)  |   4 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:31  |   Winning time: 4m 14.2s
The word Sky in blue and Bet in white with a red background.
The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Mister Malarky51
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  126| D
5/1
Ready winner of a Kempton novices' hurdle in November (2m, good to soft) and was a contender until weakening quickly from two out back there in a handicap last time. Carries a penalty here, but if back to that winning form he couldn't be ruled out.
2
Horse silk
20/1
Is taking small steps forward with each run, but yet to get off the mark and best effort was a 20L defeat at Fontwell (2m1½f, heavy) last time. Could be more effective when going handicapping and probably one to watch in this company.
3
Horse silk
Notre Ami27
Age: 7|  Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR:  120
9/2
Won a Fontwell bumper (good) in 2016 and coincidentally, his best effort over hurdles was back there on soft ground on Boxing Day, when a 7L second. Return to this trip looks positive after his latest effort and is not ruled out.
Half-brother to three French winners and was sent off at just 3-1 for his debut at Ascot last month and looked likely winner when falling heavily at the last. If his confidence remains intact then he looks to have a good opportunity to make amends.

Forecasts

Et Moi Alors (4/9), Notre Ami (9/2), Mister Malarky (5/1), Airtight (20/1)

Verdict

ET MOI ALORS looked very much like making a winning debut before falling at the last at Ascot. That was a strong performance in the context of this field and with improvement entirely possible, he could prove tough to beat granted a clear round. Mister Malarky has to concede over a stone to the selection, which doesn't look easy on paper and he also has to shrug off his latest disappointment. Notre Ami looks next best on the evidence to date.
  1. Et Moi Alors
  2. Mister Malarky
  3. Notre Ami

Previous Winners

2017
Gregarious
Weight: 10-7  |Age: 4
J: L P Aspell  |  T: L Wadham
9/1

Prize Money

1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00

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