16:35 Sandown

Friday 15 February 2019

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

starsports.bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 5m 24.2s

Putting Green^p1⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

6/1

Entirely acceptable run after nearly two years off here first time out and with fitness boosted he went down by just a neck next at Wetherby. 6lb higher here but could be even more yet to come so leading claims.

Form: 4724/82

Copperhead²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 116

5/2

Marked improvement latest when switched to a handicap for the first time as he comfortably won at Exeter last month. Hit with a 12lb rise for that 7L win but the sort to improve again for top yard so highly respected.

Form: 79-0381

Sliding Doors^p1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 116| BF

10/3

Maiden went closest he has to date latest when a neck second over 3m at Ludlow. Upped 2lb and back in trip but stiff 2m4f on testing ground will be stamina sapping so should be well suited and jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 074-372

It's Got Legs^v⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

7/1

12-race maiden placed six times on the bounce until Ascot sixth in December and subsequently fifth at Plumpton. Best form would be competitive but below that coming into this.

Form: 332365

Cold As Ice⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 112

13/2

Very lightly raced handicap debutant finished fourth at Ludlow most recently over 2m5f and that looked a career best. Had his problems in the past but respected here for top yard and market support would be notable.

Form: 5/7-4

Fenlons Court⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 109

12/1

2m5½f Fontwell winner penultimately on good ground. Raised 7lb for that first career success he struggled next when sixth of eight at Exeter. Soft a question mark based on past performances so others preferred.

Form: 646-215

Shaw's Cross^h³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 108| BF| C

8/1

In good form since moving to this yard with two seconds split by a 2m win here on heavy. Third latest but disqualified after rider failed to weigh in. Stepping up in trip here but might well suit and certainly remains competitively handicapped.

Form: 78212D

Indian Harbour⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 107

16/1

Bits of form in novice hurdles and bumpers hinted at ability but latest run on stable/season debut far from convincing when last of nine at Exeter. May now strip fitter but risky proposition for sure.

Form: 6/4U3-59

Forecasts

Copperhead (5/2), Sliding Doors (10/3), Putting Green (6/1), Cold As Ice (13/2), It's Got Legs (7/1), Shaw's Cross (8/1), Fenlons Court (12/1), Indian Harbour (16/1)

SLIDING DOORS ran well over 3m last time out at Ludlow and he should be ideal for a testing 2m4f here in soft conditions, Richard Johnson being up certainly adds to the positives in his favour. Shaw's Cross is most feared of the rivals after a good run of form and he is going the other way trip-wise. Putting Green ran well last time out and is another shortlisted for a tricky little contest.