15:35 Sandown

Saturday 9 March 2019

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

Matchbook 'Best Value Exchange' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 20.70s

Ami Desbois^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 136| D

4/1

Starting to find consistency now having twice won over fences as a novice in late 2017. Just failed to get up over C&D five weeks ago, 4lb higher but will relish this on testing going and a worth contender.

Form: PP-U342

Loose Chips^b³⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 135| CD

20/1

Likeable old-timer, won a veterans' race over C&D in November but held in January and let down by his jumping in handicap company back here last month. Others more likely in this field.

Form: 6-5135P

Vinnie Lewis⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 133| D

20/1

Has won at up to 3m4f over fences so no stamina issues, and had been in decent form over hurdles in the autumn, scoring at Southwell (3m, good). Poor Chepstow run in December and not well-treated reverting to chasing.

Form: 1P-3126

Favorito Buck's^p⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

8/1

Second-season chaser gained third win over fences when posting a career-best at Ascot (3m, good) in November, making all. Not as good back there since and questionable if he'll relish the mud flying around him now.

Form: 81-4416

Bob Mahler^p⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 130| D

10/1

Has run well enough in three starts since going chasing, notably at Chepstow on testing ground at Christmas when chasing home Yalltari. Should relish the forecast conditions.

Form: 212-823

The Bay Birch^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 129| D

12/1

The mare was progressive last term and got back on track with a Warwick win last month against her own sex in five-runner affair over 3m sporting first-time tongue-tie. This is deeper and up 4lb.

Form: 603UP1

Mustmeetalady^p⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128| D

22/1

Won a Doncaster handicap in late 2017 over 3m on good ground but very frustrating in four starts since and extremely tough to put any faith in for now.

Form: U10-0P8

Potters Approach^p¹¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| DWS

12/1

Back from 500 days off and won nine-runner handicap chase at Chepstow (3m2f, good) in October. Best to forget next-time-our run at Fontwell in November and has undergone wind surgery since, not written off.

Form: 41/5-61P

Commodore⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 122| D

3/1

Never out of third gear when scoring at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in late December, his first run following wind surgery. Handicapper has reacted with a 13lb increase, but interesting to see if there's more to come.

Form: 84230-1

Salmanazar²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 122| D

15/2

Sole chase success was over 3m on soft ground at Exeter in February 2015. Has missed chunks of time since but didn't run badly over C&D last month, finishing 11L fourth of 12. Place claims.

Form: 7423-24

Horatio Hornblower^p¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nick Williams| OR: 117| D

11/2

Just failed to reel in the admirable Peat The Feat in this contest 12 months ago, behind Commodore on reappearance however and unseated latest, so plenty to prove now.

Form: 223-53U

Non-Runners

Kansas City Chief²²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 10

T: N P Mulholland J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Commodore (3/1), Ami Desbois (4/1), Horatio Hornblower (11/2), Salmanazar (15/2), Favorito Buck's (8/1), Bob Mahler (10/1), Kansas City Chief (10/1), The Bay Birch (12/1), Potters Approach (12/1), Vinnie Lewis (20/1), Loose Chips (20/1), Mustmeetalady (22/1)

Commodore enjoyed a bloodless success at Warwick on New Year's Eve, his first run since a wind operation, and needs plenty respecting again but Venetia Williams' charge hasn't been missed by the assessor for his win. Instead, this can go to top-weight AMI DESBOIS, who is becoming consistent and will relish conditions, as he showed when just failing over C&D last time. Bob Mahler is another that will relish seeing the mud fly and can go well.