13:15 Sandown

Sunday 10 November 2019

All12:4513:1513:5014:2514:5515:3016:00

Virgin Bet Follow Us On Twitter Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 5m 19.3s

Champagne Court²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 131

13/8

Quietly progressive over hurdles in the spring, and found a bit more when second of 16 to Flash The Steel in Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month. Placed in point-to-points before that, and the sort to make a useful chaser on looks. Respected,

Form: 55343-2

Envoye Special^h,t²³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131WS

9/1

Not won since debut, including in three chase runs for this yard, and while he ran his best race when second of 5 to Timoteo in a novice handicap at Kempton in March, he found less than looked likely, and has had another breathing operation since.

Form: 622/262-

At Its Own Expense⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 128| BF

9/2

Won a novice hurdle at Taunton in February, and improved when second of 10 to Duke Street in handicap at Worcester in September. On the upgrade, and one to consider making a swift switch of discipline.

Form: 33313-2

Canelo⁵⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127

8/1

Good fourth in the EBF Final here last year, but not sighted since winning at Fontwell in April 2018. Changed ownership for £110,000 the following month, and has the physique to make a better chaser.

Form: 225141/

Chambard²³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125| BF

8/1

Won a 2m1f maiden hurdle at Exeter in January, and ran at least as well in three subsequent starts, albeit beaten at odds-on last time. Seemed to stay when tried at this trip before, but that came in a 3-finisher race.

Form: U21223-

The Flying Sofa²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124

11/2

Won a maiden hurdle at Plumpton in April, and looked a fair chasing prospect when ½L second of 9 to Celtic Joy in novice handicap at Kempton on chasing debut. Best efforts on a sound surface, but claims if he can build on that on softer ground.

Form: 22021-2

The Cannister Man^h,t1²³⁹

28/1

Won a maiden hurdle last spring, but proved a little disappointing in handicaps last season. May do better now switching to fences after a break, but others more convincing.

Form: 421/645-

Little Light¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 119

20/1

Won a Sligo maiden hurdle for Joseph O'Brien, and runner-up at Clonmel in May. Second in a point, so reason to believe she'll take to fences for new yard, but improvement needed all the same.

Form: 245-152

Non-Runners

Lungarno Palace¹⁶⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: F O'Brien J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Champagne Court (13/8), At Its Own Expense (9/2), The Flying Sofa (11/2), Chambard (8/1), Canelo (8/1), Envoye Special (9/1), Lungarno Palace (10/1), Little Light (20/1), The Cannister Man (28/1)

CHAMPAGNE COURT has been in the money in some very competitive handicap hurdles this year, and has the scope to be at least as good over fences, and he gets a fairly confident vote to defy top weight. Canelo has been off for a while but went well in the EBF Final here in 2018, and is the type to do better despite his absence. At Its Own Expense completes the shortlist.