12:15 Sandown

Saturday 8 December 2018

All12:1512:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Core Spreads 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:15 | Winning time: 4m 10.7s

Zanza¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| D

5/1

Showed little on Bumper debut but a different proposition when sent hurdling at Chepstow when left clear to win by 12L. Was the outsider of trainers 3 runners that day but didn't look to be a fluke, though penalty to shoulder now.

Form: 61

Baddesley Knight³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

11/2

Solid form in bumper's last season and shaped well on hurdling debut at Newbury last month though was a touch keen when finishing fourth of 16. Should be more to come.

Form: 321-4

Chain Smoker²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: G & J Moore

100/1

Poor form in last two Point-to-points and hard to fancy on debut now under rules. Sold for £25,000 since last seen.

Form: PF34-4

Cracker Jak²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: Miss S Smith

50/1

Has shown a little bit of ability in bumper's but in at the deep end here on hurdling bow and easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 4-45

Gleno²⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| D

50/1

Hard to know what he achieved when getting off the mark at the third attempt in an Ayr Bumper in the mud last March. Sold for £22.500 just afterwards and makes debut now over hurdles for new yard.

Form: 45/1-

Greaneteen⁵²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

10/1

4L third of 14 on only start in France 18 months ago. Was sold shortly after that for €145,000 but presumably had a problem as hasn't been seen since though clearly of interest for top yard.

Form: 3-

Hold The Note²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon

16/1

Well backed when winning a Bumper on Newton Abbot debut on heavy ground in October. Probably improved when fourth in a Listed event subsequently and interesting now going over hurdles.

Form: 14

I Can't Explain⁴¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

11/8

Easy winner of a weak looking Point-to-point in October last year in similar conditions but hasn't been seen since. Has joined top yard and interesting to see what the market makes of him.

Form: 1-

Jammy George³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 120

8/1

Much improved on debut for this stable when second of 16 at Chepstow last month behind a horse who looked smart when following up earlier in the week. Was handed a lead on that occasion but kept on when headed and showed a good attitude.

Form: 4194-2

Phoenix Way²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| BF

8/1

Impressive Point-to-point in January after which he was sold for £270,000 but big disappointment when hot favourite on hurdling debut at Bangor and although evidently thought capable, has something to prove now.

Form: 1-5

Forecasts

I Can't Explain (11/8), Zanza (5/1), Baddesley Knight (11/2), Phoenix Way (8/1), Jammy George (8/1), Greaneteen (10/1), Hold The Note (16/1), Gleno (50/1), Cracker Jak (50/1), Chain Smoker (100/1)

An intriguing opener and the market should prove informative with a pair of expensive purchases coming here off an absence. BADDESLEY KNIGHT is a tentative selection to build on his Newbury debut over hurdles though this looks a stronger contest. Hold The Note shaped well in both starts in bumper's and won on heavy ground on debut which will be a plus on the hurdles track today.