12:50 Sandown

Saturday 7 December 2019

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

Elmbridge Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 5m 23.7s

Henrietta Bell⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 126WS

14/1

Has found life more difficult in two runs since returning from a short break. All three career wins came in weaker events during the summer, and she is still 6lb higher than for the most recent of those. Not very appealing off top-weight.

Form: 1F1175

Crossgalesfamegame³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125

7/2

Built upon seasonal reappearance to hammer her opposition by 12-length at Market Rasen (2m4f; heavy) last time out. Ticks a lot of boxes given she is a lightly raced handicap newcomer with yard in terrific form. Firmly on the shortlist.

Form: 33/75-41

Our Dot's Baby²³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 125WS

20/1

Reached a good level of form in her first season over hurdles last year, including when third in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle Series Final at Newbury (2m4f; good to soft). Makes handicap debut and doesn't have a lot of mileage for a seven-year-old.

Form: UF2133-

Aimee De Sivola²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 124

10/3

Looks a better mare this season, judged on both of her efforts so far. Finished runner-up to an impressive winner on return to handicap company at Wincanton (2m5f; good to soft). Form ties in closely with Deputy's Oscar. Should be bang there.

Form: 5328-12

Une De La Seniere⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

14/1

French recruit whose form tailed off after making a winning debut at Sennones-Pouance (2m2f; soft). Market check advised as she could potentially be well treated on handicap debut for yard who are currently in red hot form.

Form: 1-878

Deputy's Oscar²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 120

3/1

Unable to land the hat-trick when fourth in a higher grade at Wincanton (2m5f; good to soft). Was behind Aimee De Sivola that day, but is effectively 4lb better off with that rival. Big chance as she bids to regain winning thread.

Form: 093-114

Viva Vittoria²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 119

12/1

Proved to be quite a big disappointment on handicap/seasonal debut when finishing last of eight at Taunton (2m3f; good). Failed to finish out of the first two in any of her previous four starts in novice hurdles before that. Not written off yet.

Form: 02212-8

Shantung¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: L Wadham| OR: 119| D

10/1

Bit surprising she has been as disappointing as she has since switched to handicaps given the level of form she achieved in novice hurdles. Not one to give up on completely just yet, and she could sneak into the placings if raising her game.

Form: 1530-84

The Kings Baby¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: H Whittington| OR: 118| D

50/1

Posted an encouraging effort on her return from a short break when runner-up at Southwell (2m4f; soft). However, she has failed to complete the last twice, pulling up on both occasions. Major point to prove now.

Form: 3112PP

Yeats Baby¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 118

66/1

Desperately struggling for form since switched to this yard. Pulled-up for the second time in a row when detached from the rest of the field at Ascot (2m7f; soft). Cannot be recommended until offering more encouragement and so she is opposed.

Form: 1311-PP

Oriental Cross^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 115| D

12/1

Returned to winning ways when scoring by seven-length at Southwell (2m4f; heavy) recently. Has been raised to a career-high mark for that victory, but she is still unexposed. 9lb worse off with The Kings Baby who she was well-beaten by recently.

Form: 3414-51

Midnightreflection¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: B I Case| OR: 111

25/1

Progressed from an encouraging hurdles debut at Uttoxeter (2m; soft) to make the frame at Lingfield (2m3f; heavy) last time out. Will need to step up a bit on form, but is open to progress as she makes handicap debut.

Form: 9-643

Daytime Ahead³⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Hodges| OR: 104| D

25/1

Has been out of form on both starts this season. However, she is now just 2lb above the mark she scored off when routing her opposition at Wincanton (2m5f; heavy). Would appreciate rain, given all of her best form has come on ground with give in it.

Form: PU13/69-

Forecasts

Deputy's Oscar (3/1), Aimee De Sivola (10/3), Crossgalesfamegame (7/2), Shantung (10/1), Oriental Cross (12/1), Viva Vittoria (12/1), Henrietta Bell (14/1), Une De La Seniere (14/1), Our Dot's Baby (20/1), Midnightreflection (25/1), Daytime Ahead (25/1), The Kings Baby (50/1), Yeats Baby (66/1)

A difficult handicap puzzle to solve with a number of names to note.Une De La Seniere could be thrown in if she has improved since joining the Fergal O'Brien yard who are operating at a 38% strike rate (9-24). The yards other representative Crossgalesfamegame is considered after she posted a career-best when shedding her maiden tag last time out.Aimee De Sivola looks to be improving after she finished second in a higher grade than this on her return to handicaps last month. A chance is taken on Our Dot's Baby though who makes her seasonal/handicap debut but showed enough ability at a high level last season to suggest she could win a race as competitive as this.