16:05 Sandown

Friday 16 February 2018

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

Smarkets Handicap Chase (For The Alanbrooke Challenge Cup)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 40.50s

Aubusson²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 135| D

5/1

Sole chase success came as a novice in 2015 (3m, heavy) and not the easiest to place after his fourth in the 2016 French Champion Hurdle. More like it again last time after drop to this mark, but does need to eek out a bit more.

Form: 604-372

Bally Longford^t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 131

8/1

Stays 3m2f, though has yet to win any race beyond 2m4½f, or since August 2015. Out of sorts over shorter last time, but now dropped 4lb and slightly in grade, he enters calculations.

Form: 336-43P

Potters Legend^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 130| D

8/1

Looked useful when winning his first two novices' chases last season and was also runner-up in a Grade 2. Handicapper has consistently had his measure since then, but on a handy mark if he can shake off some below par recent efforts.

Form: 4-747P6

Mosspark⁸⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130| CD

14/1

Scored over C&D (soft) in March 2016 from 1lb lower. Was back at that level of form from 5lb higher at Wincanton in October, though disappointed last time. Despite that, a 5lb drop makes him of interest again.

Form: 1/96P-5P

Aloomomo⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 129

8/1

Has been difficult to win with since completing a hat-trick at up to 2m6½f in 2015. Has not completed a chase since March 2016 and disappointed at Wetherby last time. 4lb drop here but has questions to answer.

Form: 6/3F-32P

Muckle Roe²⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| D

7/2

Largely consistent and made some improvement last season, not least when scoring by 27L at Warwick (3m1½f, good to soft) when last seen in May. Up 8lb for that and in better company for reappearance so needs to raise his game again.

Form: 21323-1

Lithic^p⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126

5/1

Won a Huntingdon handicap (2m, soft) and a Market Rasen novices' contest (2m4½f) over hurdles last year. Last two runs over fences have been very respectable. Up 3lb here and also in trip and improvement possible.

Form: 2-F1332

Step Back¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 124| D

11/2

Won a Ludlow maiden hurdle (3m, good to soft) on debut last year. Returned from 11-month absence with a good effort on chase debut at Chepstow (2m7½f, heavy) a fortnight ago and with plenty of scope for improvement he has claims.

Form: 21/119-2

Tanit River^t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123| D

25/1

Began well over fences, winning two of his first four at up to 3m½f. However, things have gone awry this term and despite being 4lb lower than his last win, his recent efforts have given little cause for optimism.

Form: 16P-6P5

Vino Griego^v¹³

Age: 13| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| CD

16/1

Goes well here and won a Listed chase over C&D in 2013, though is without success since doing so here in 2015. Has shown that he retains some ability this season, though not what he once was and others make more appeal.

Form: P1/54U6

Forecasts

Muckle Roe (7/2), Aubusson (5/1), Lithic (5/1), Step Back (11/2), Potters Legend (8/1), Aloomomo (8/1), Bally Longford (8/1), Mosspark (14/1), Vino Griego (16/1), Tanit River (25/1)

A reasonably open look to this contest and POTTERS LEGEND is given the tentative vote to shrug off some modest recent efforts and come back to form from this mark. Bally Longford could pose a threat to the selection, while Mosspark, Lithic and potential improver Step Back are others for whom cases can be made.