13:20 Sandown

Saturday 7 December 2019

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

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 6m 24.9s

Boyhood³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 139

12/1

Still 9lb above his last winning mark which came at Cheltenham (3m; heavy) on New Year's Day. Reverts to the smaller obstacles after running over fences the last thrice. Not open to as much improvement as some of his rivals but he has place claims.

Form: 230-163

Flemcara^t²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 136| D

8/1

Makes seasonal reappearance for yard who are having a great time of things at present. Could never get involved in competitive assignments at the Cheltenham & Aintree Festivals last season. This is less demanding, but record when fresh isn't great.

Form: 8U3100-

Lord Of The Island²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 136| CD

7/2

Given an enterprising ride by jockey who retains the ride when leading all the way to score by a length-and-a-half on seasonal reappearance over 2m4f here last month. Up 6lb, but likely to make a bold bid as he tries to follow-up.

Form: 31/048-1

Dream Berry^t³⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

16/1

Been off since November 2018 when he ran well below expectations in a warm handicap at Aintree (3m; good). Needed the run last March when returning from a larger absence. 9lb lower than when last seen. Market probably the best guide to his chances.

Form: 2276/F7-

Taj Badalandabad^p,t⁵⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: D Pipe| OR: 133

16/1

Makes return from 598-day absence. Last seen finishing fourth in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham (3m; good) in April 2018. Ran a blinder prior to that when fourth in the Pertemps. 5lb lower now but a lot will depend on fitness.

Form: 7P1044/

Eur Gone West^h,t²²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 133| D

12/1

Bombed out when fancied to make it a hat-trick of handicap victories at Perth (3m; good) at the end of last season. May have been feeling the effects of a 15lb rise for his demolition job at Taunton (3m; good) prior to that.

Form: 474116-

Silva Eclipse¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 125| D

12/1

A rare runner for Northern trainer whose record at the track reads 2-35. Got back to winning ways when successful at Uttoxeter (2m7f; heavy) recently. Up 3lb but should enjoy this test of stamina, and he has place claims.

Form: 2P6-861

Fortunate George⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Platt⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123| BF

8/1

Underwhelming favourite last time when well-beaten into eighth on seasonal return at Fontwell (2m3f; soft). Questions to answer now after a couple of below-par performances (pulled-up on final start of 2018/19 campaign). Vulnerable to improvers.

Form: 0773P-7

Go Whatever¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: H Cobden| T: C Gordon| OR: 119

3/1

Made it third time lucky when off the mark under rules in good style at Plumpton (2m4f; soft). Open to further improvement as he tackles this trip for the first time on handicap debut. Big player with jockey booking an added bonus.

Form: 42-1531

Special Acceptance⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber| OR: 117

12/1

0-10 but is quite a consistent sort. Had excuses when pulled-up a Wincanton (2m5f; good) last time out when the saddle slipped and his rider lost his irons. Step up to this trip could unlock some improvement. Place claims again if it does.

Form: 2U2-33P

Crystal Lad²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

8/1

Not won since his days as a novice hurdler at Fontwell (2m3f; good to soft) in February 2017. However, he has gone well on all four of his visits to this Esher track. Yard form is a concern at present though.

Form: P267-56

Forecasts

Go Whatever (3/1), Lord Of The Island (7/2), Fortunate George (8/1), Crystal Lad (8/1), Flemcara (8/1), Silva Eclipse (12/1), Eur Gone West (12/1), Special Acceptance (12/1), Boyhood (12/1), Dream Berry (16/1), Taj Badalandabad (16/1)

After he bucked out from the front and led his rivals a merry dance upon his return to action over 2m4f at this track last month, C&D winner Lord Of The Island has obvious claims. The current form of the yard is an added positive, and for an 11-year-old he hasn't had that much racing. Sue Smith wouldn't be sending Silva Eclipse here if she didn't think he could go well, and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of Taj Badalandabad after such a long absence. Punters are advised to stick with the improving GO WHATEVER who shed his maiden tag last month, and can find the required improvement on handicap debut as he steps up to 2m7f.