Christmas Parties At Sandown Park Handicap

Off time: 20:20 | Winning time: 3m 9.33s

(2)

Mondain⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

9/4

Upped to 2m latest he secured a third win of the season in emphatic style by 10L. Due to go up 13lb so seriously well in under a 6lb penalty and with a stiff 1m6f to suit he's very hard to oppose.

Form: 311321

(5)

Buckman Tavern⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 77

6/4

Winner on final start of last year at Carlisle (heavy, 1m) and then took a big step up in trip for handicap debut at Doncaster (sixth of six). Much more like it latest over this C&D when second despite being hampered and can go close here.

Form: 491-62

(1)

Wannie Mae⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 71

11/4

Gone up in trip in each of her four starts and improved each time, finally getting off the mark over 1m4f at Goodwood latest. Another step up in trip can help again but this more competitive than three-runner affair latest.

Form: 7-041

(6)

Young Merlin^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 70

12/1

¾L third to Mondain over 1m4f at Lingfield penultimately reads well now 16lb better off but doubts over whether he lasted this trip at Yarmouth latest. Worth another go for yard who excel in such races.

Form: 955-636

(4)

Fantastic Ms Fox¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 64| D

16/1

Broke her maiden at Redcar over this distance in May and since twice ran well over similar trips at Doncaster (third) and Nottingham (fourth). This more competitive however so others are preferred.

Form: 562134

Non-Runners

(3)

Htilominlo¹⁸

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: S Kirk J: Oisin Murphy

Forecasts

Buckman Tavern (6/4), Mondain (9/4), Wannie Mae (11/4), Young Merlin (12/1), Htilominlo (12/1), Fantastic Ms Fox (16/1)

It is hard to get away from MONDAIN who is 7lb well in under his penalty after his demolition job at Thirsk latest even if dropping back 2f is probably less than ideal. Unexposed recent C&D second Buckman Tavern and Young Merlin, who is weighted to turn the tables with the selection on there early season meeting offer the best opposition.