12:15 Sandown

Saturday 7 December 2019

All12:1512:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Peter & Thelma Brooks Diamond Anniversary 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 4m 12.9s

Act Accordingly⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: J C Fox

100/1

Sent off at 125-1 on hurdles debut at Newbury (2m; soft) and got no further than the third where he unseated his rider. Looks a major outsider in a similarly hot race, and so he is best watched.

Form: 00/7U

Arrivederci³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: J & A O'Neill| D

16/1

Took quite a big backwards step at Chepstow (2m3f; good to soft) when finishing down the field in seventh. Hurdles debut at Warwick (2m; good) the time before that offered plenty of promise when he was third to the unbeaten Tea Clipper.

Form: 14-37

Black Gerry²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

33/1

One of two ex point-to-pointers who line up for the yard. Difficult to weigh up the strength of his only effort in that sphere when runner-up at Dromahane (3m; soft). Market check advised.

Form: 2-

De Barley Basket^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

66/1

Point-to-point recruit who was fifth on hurdles/rules debut for this yard at Plumpton (2m; soft) in what was a moderate race. Well-related but will need to step up markedly on that form. Would like to see the yard firing again after a quiet spell.

Form: 5331-5

Espion²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

33/1

Finished fifth on hurdles debut at Wincanton (1m7f; good) in the same race Fiddlerontheroof was second in. Work to do to reverse the 15-and-a-half length gap between him and that rival. Looks the type to get better with experience.

Form: 5-5

Fiddlerontheroof²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| BF| D

8/13

Managed to finish runner-up to the exciting Thyme Hill on debut for this yard in the Persian War at Chepstow (2m3f; soft). It was therefore a major surprise when he was just beaten at Wincanton (1m7f; good) last month. Major chance of making amends.

Form: 5321-22

Grey Getaway²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

33/1

Not disgraced on seasonal reappearance. However, he produced a well below-par performance at Kempton (2m5f; good) when only managing to finish eighth. Respected with top yard in-form, but on form alone he has quite a bit to prove.

Form: 26-68

Needhams Gap⁵⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

16/1

Form of his sole point-to-point win when beating Southern Sam (now rated 124) at Courtown (3m; soft) needs respecting. Does need to defy a 595-day absence as that win came back in April 2018. Market likely to be the best guide to his chances.

Form: 1/

Silver Nickel³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

100/1

Never posed any real threat in bumpers, and he posted a similarly low-key effort at Newbury (2m; good to soft) on hurdles/seasonal debut last month. Highly unlikely to be involved at the business end of proceedings. Can be opposed with ease.

Form: 803-8

Storm Force Ben²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White

80/1

Suffered heavy defeat on hurdles debut at Cheltenham (2m; good to soft) on return to action. Failed to create any impression in a lesser race last time out, and he looks to be up against it as he steps back up in class.

Form: 08-97

Timberman³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: N J Henderson

7/2

Posted a highly encouraging start to life under rules when runner-up to his stablemate in a Newbury (2m; good to soft) bumper. The winner of that contest (Son Of Camas) has since gone in again. Solid claims on hurdles debut.

Form: 22

Watar Allstar^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Miss Z C Davison

100/1

Tailed off on hurdles debut at Exeter (2m1f; soft) last month in what was a good race. This looks a similarly decent contest, and he has an impossible task on all known form. Can only be watched.

Form: 5/08-6

Daphne Du Clos³¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| BF| D

9/2

Career has been held up with injury over the past couple of seasons. Disappointed on only start last season when making long-awaited hurdles debut at Huntingdon (2m; good to soft). Could build on early promise granted a clear run this season.

Form: 121/5-

Forecasts

Fiddlerontheroof (8/13), Timberman (7/2), Daphne Du Clos (9/2), Arrivederci (16/1), Needhams Gap (16/1), Espion (33/1), Black Gerry (33/1), Grey Getaway (33/1), De Barley Basket (66/1), Storm Force Ben (80/1), Silver Nickel (100/1), Act Accordingly (100/1), Watar Allstar (100/1)

A opening novice hurdle with a fair amount of potential on show. Point-to-point scorer Needhams Gap is interesting, as is Timberman who was second on debut to a rival who has since franked that form. Daphne Du Clos must also prove her wellbeing after she flopped on her only start last season, but her form in bumpers suggests she has plenty of ability. However, this looks like a good opportunity for FIDDLERONTHEROOF to gain compensation for his odds-on reverse at Wincanton last time out. His form prior to that when runner-up to Thyme Hill in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle is the strongest on offer and he is well thought of by connections.