15:30 Sandown

Friday 15 February 2019

All12:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:35

Dickie Pile 80th Birthday 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 4m 9.85s

Black Centaur²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

20/1

Successful on sole outing in Irish point-to-points but his hurdling debut when he finished at the rear of midfield at Chepstow (2m3f) showed him to be a longer-term project. 20-1 on that occasion he'll be looking to gain more experience here.

Form: 10

Emmpara^h²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: M D Grant| T: D J S Ffrench Davis

100/1

Very limited ability shown in first three starts. Third of five to the smart Thomas Darby latest a best run to date even though beaten 31L. Place possibilities again here.

Form: 60-03

Kauto The King^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard

12/1

Twice placed bumper performed but beaten 35L by re-opposing Elusive Belle on hurdles bow at Wincanton. Huge amount then to find and looking for clues for the future here.

Form: 343-45

Muddle Thinking⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

33/1

Beaten out of sight in a bumper and two hurdles so far. Can only be watched for now and may well need further down the line based on pedigree.

Form: 706

Reserve Tank⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

12/1

Did well in the circumstances when third to Rocco on hurdles debut at Chepstow but couldn't build on that when seventh of 16 at Newbury subsequently. One of three for yard so market may guide as to expectations here.

Form: 37

Rizzardo⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Anderson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

20/1

Showed best form to date at Ludlow latest when fifth of 11 in a moderate novices hurdle. Repeat of that should see him in the hunt again for a place but little chance of anything more.

Form: 5/7P-5

Sevarano³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 135| BF| D

7/2

Bumper winner finished second in all three hurdle races to date. Latest when long odds-on a disappointment in truth but earlier Newbury run certainly useful and looks the best alternative here.

Form: 15-224

Elusive Belle²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson

8/15

Listed bumper second absolutely hacked up on hurdles/stable debut at Wincanton. Soft ground an unknown here but form head and shoulders best on offer so hard to oppose.

Form: 5321

Forecasts

Elusive Belle (8/15), Sevarano (7/2), Reserve Tank (12/1), Kauto The King (12/1), Black Centaur (20/1), Rizzardo (20/1), Muddle Thinking (33/1), Emmpara (100/1)

ELUSIVE BELLE made a big impression at Wincanton winning by 19L and surely could have won by a lot more. She looks likely to follow up in similar style here if the soft ground causes no inconvenience. Sevarano was disappointing last time out but is considered best of the rest after three seconds. Reserve Tank is the preferred of three Colin Tizzard trained runners although there is little between them.