13:50 Sandown

Saturday 10 March 2018

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

European Breeders' Fund Matchbook Vip 'national Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 14.00s

The Russian Doyen¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139

18/1

Two from three over hurdles, though most disappointing over C&D (heavy) in Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle in between those wins. Concedes weight all round, facing some promising sorts, makes this very tough. Yard in form.

Form: 23151

Arthington³⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: J W Mullins

Form: 112212

Melrose Boy³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 137

8/1

Progressing this season with two wins from four runs, latest third in similar event at this track over longer trip was another step forward. Should go well again down in distance.

Form: 23-1313

Indian Hawk¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

13/2

Represents top yard and quickly put Doncaster flop behind him when winning readily at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) last month. Potentially going to do better again.

Form: 2-1181

Run To Milan^h²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 132

12/1

Runner-up to The Russian Doyen on hurdles bow at Exeter before landing New Year's Day maiden there over 2m2½f on testing going. Another promising effort at Kempton since (second) and merits place on shortlist.

Form: 10-212

Game On²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 130

16/1

Stuck on gamely over near-3m trip to win at Uttoxeter last month, having previously won Plumpton novice decisively over this sort of trip. Opening handicap mark potentially demands extra but could have it in him.

Form: 9/4-4211

Silver Kayf⁸³

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

Form: 03-F413

Canelo¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 128

10/1

Showing promise over hurdles this term and duly off the mark at Doncaster last month returning from short break. Trip/ground no concerns and opening mark seems fair with King yard at 37% strike rate recently (7-15).

Form: F2-2251

Coup De Pinceau³⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: P F Nicholls

Form: 12-2621

Highway One O One⁷⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: C Gordon

Form: 311221

Al Shahir⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127

11/2

Made all the running to get off the mark over hurdles at Towcester in December and put away since, opening mark seems very fair and no surprise to see him going well for the Skelton boys.

Form: 21-2221

The Dubai Way²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 126

8/1

Perfect four from four under rules thus far, including third hurdles win on handicap debut at Warwick (2m, soft) last month. Longer trip should suit, 4lb hike not excessive and looks a key player.

Form: 21-1111

King Of Realms⁴³

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: Ian Williams

Form: 130-221

Dynamite Dollars¹⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: P F Nicholls

Form: 113554

Notre Ami²²

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Gifford| OR: 125| C

40/1

Winner of a 2m novice hurdle here last month, handicapper didn't miss him for that (up 5lb) and being asked much stiffer question in this field, improvement required.

Form: 446221

First Assignment⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 125

10/1

Had shown promise over timber before making winning start in handicaps at Huntingdon (2m4½f, soft) in January. Carries an extra 9lb now but opening to progressing and commands respect.

Form: 1-241

Dashing Perk^p1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125

12/1

Wide margin winner at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) last month. Ran well enough here next time out over near-3m trip, disappointing since at Fontwell but chance that return to this track / first-time cheekpieces will see him bounce back.

Form: 42-P184

Sam's Gunner²³

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 125

12/1

One win from four in novice hurdling ranks this season, at Catterick (2m3½f, good to soft) last month. Pass mark since at Kelso when second (2m) and open to doing better again over this sort of trip.

Form: 044-212

Whiskey In The Jar²²

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| D

Form: 21-2P11

Oxwich Bay²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 124| D

14/1

One win from five this season, coming over 2m4f (heavy) at Ffos Las in December. Fell at Ascot next time before fair second dropped to 2m back at Ffos Las since. Others would appear to have stronger claims.

Form: 2-221F2

Another Stowaway³⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: T R George

Form: 42-U222

Jabulani⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124| D

25/1

Novice winner at Lingfield in November but well fended off in handicaps at Newbury and Ascot since and may once more prove vulnerable from just 3lb lower mark here.

Form: 6-23187

Turtle Wars⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

12/1

Hard to get a handle on what he achieved with Huntingdon success in January in 2m maiden hurdle. Represents Seven Barrows and, on fourth start over timber, wouldn't be one to discount.

Form: 3-391

Warthog²¹

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: D Pipe

Form: 126-3P3

Dentley De Mee^p1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 0-0| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 124

16/1

Won a 2m Taunton maiden hurdle in November, not achieved all that much since. Cheekpieces are added here but plenty to prove from this handicap mark it seems.

Form: 6-31283

Midnight Chill⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 0-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 122

33/1

Second to Turtle Wars at Huntingdon in January (beaten 1¼L) in marked improvement from previous two efforts over timber. Step up in distance should be fine, this is much tougher however on handicap bow.

Form: 468-402

Quick Pick⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 0-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 122| D

16/1

Going the right way and arrives here after pair of Sedgefield novice wins over 2m4f in December/January. Not the easiest introduction to handicapping, but one to note in the market.

Form: 2-2U311

Mister Malarky²²

Age: 13| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: C L Tizzard

Form: 0-35173

Just A Sting⁴⁹

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: H Fry| BF

Form: 11-233

Lygon Rock¹⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: H D Daly

Form: 6-4223

Mahlervous³⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: W Greatrex| BF

Form: 4-912U

Larry⁴³

Age: 13| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: G & J Moore

Form: 0-6U423

Benechenko²²

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: F O'Brien

Form: 84-2332

Miss Tynte⁴⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 0-0| J: Unknown| T: D Pipe

Form: 24-74U2

Forecasts

Al Shahir (11/2), Indian Hawk (13/2), The Dubai Way (8/1), Melrose Boy (8/1), First Assignment (10/1), Canelo (10/1), Sam's Gunner (12/1), Turtle Wars (12/1), Run To Milan (12/1), Dashing Perk (12/1), Oxwich Bay (14/1), Dentley De Mee (16/1), Game On (16/1), Quick Pick (16/1), The Russian Doyen (18/1), Jabulani (25/1), Midnight Chill (33/1), Notre Ami (40/1)

AL SHAHIR is likely to be a major threat for the Skelton team. He made all to score at Towcester in December and will have had this contest in mind since. He also has some useful form against solid performers in his locker previous to that, including behind subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner Kalashnikov, and could prove to be on lenient handicap mark now. Indian Hawk and Melrose Boy are on the shortlist, while Canelo could have plenty more to offer for an in-form Alan King team. Run To Milan is progressing all the time and four-time hurdles winner The Dubai Way will likely give a bold attempt to protect his unbeaten run despite his latest 4lb hike.