15:35 Sandown

Saturday 7 December 2019

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

Betfair London National Handicap Chase

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 150| C

Raised 7lb for winning by just three-lengths over 3m here last month, when he had Dark Flame back in second. Likes it here, but he hasn't scored off a mark as high as this one for almost six years.

Form: 6103P-1

Royal Vacation^b²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147

Built upon encouraging return to action to finish third in the Badger Beers Silver Trophy at Wincanton (3m1f; good to soft) most recently. Won over this far back when victorious at Taunton (3m4f; good to soft) at the start of the year.

Form: 614P-53

Step Back^p²²⁴

Always runs well here, and another solid run is in the offing on this seasonal return. Signed off last season with a gallant third in the bet365 Gold Cup over C&D. Won that contest the year beforehand, and he is a big player if fit enough.

Form: 11/76P3-

Carole's Destrier^p²³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 142| CD

Capable of popping up at a big price. Makes seasonal reappearance, and he was pulled-up when last seen in the Scottish National at Ayr (4m; good). Might need the run and is still 5lb above his last winning mark.

Form: P14P1P-

Dragon D'Estruval¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140

Still holds potential for this yard, and he was staying on at Ascot (3m; soft) last month. That would suggest he could improve considerably on what he has shown if the step up to this marathon trip helps. Not fully dismissed.

Form: 1730-35

Sharp Response¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 138

10-length second to Crievehill at Haydock (3m1f; good to soft) last month. However, that was a step forward from his seasonal return at Kelso (3m2f; good to soft). Should stay this far and he isn't fully exposed over fences just yet.

Form: 8441-62

Coningsby^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 136

Unexposed six-year-old who should improve again for the step up in trip. Got no further than the first when he unseated his rider on seasonal debut at Ascot (3m; soft) last month. Major player if avoiding jumping errors.

Form: 4/RP31-U

Vinnie Lewis⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H Whittington| OR: 133

Runner-up over 3m at this course on final start of last season. Difficult to enthuse over given the moderate manner of his comeback run over this sort of trip at Sedgefield (3m5f; soft). May strip fitter for the run though.

Form: 31262-6

Classic Ben^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 132| BF| C

Broke his maiden status as a chaser at the fifth attempt over 3m at this track back in February. Should come on from recent return to action when fourth at Bangor-on-dee (3m; heavy). Holds obvious claims as he tries this trip for the first time.

Form: 25314-4

Shanroe Santos^b²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: L Wadham| OR: 132| C

Was fancied to run well in this race last year (sent off 3-1f), but only managed to finish fourth. Back down to his last winning mark now though, and he hinted at a return to form when fourth on seasonal return last month.

Form: 42774-4

Get On The Yager^p1,t1⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130

Stays this trip as shown when third in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f; heavy) on final start last season. Pulled-up on seasonal comeback at Cheltenham (3m1f; soft) but may have needed the run. Interesting if market speaks in his favour.

Form: 9P/693-P

Rathlin Rose^b²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| C

Twice a winner of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup over 3m at this track in the past. Struggling for form at present though, and he was tailed-off in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham (3m6f; soft) last month. Yard in-form but he has a fair bit to prove.

Form: 197-679

Dark Flame²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 126| C

Hugely encouraging effort on comeback from long absence when second to Houblon Des Obeaux at this track over 3m last month. Steps up to 3m4f for the first time which could bring about further improvement. Dark horse.

Form: 38624/2

Doing Fine^p,t⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 124

Posted a respectable effort when fourth at Cheltenham (3m1f; good to soft) recently. Still 7lb above last winning mark. This is a slight step up in grade, but he was fourth in this contest two years ago so has place claims again.

Form: 455514

Forecasts

Classic Ben (10/3), Step Back (6/1), Dragon D'Estruval (7/1), Sharp Response (9/1), Get On The Yager (10/1), Vinnie Lewis (10/1), Shanroe Santos (10/1), Dark Flame (11/1), Royal Vacation (12/1), Doing Fine (14/1), Coningsby (14/1), Houblon Des Obeaux (16/1), Carole's Destrier (25/1), Rathlin Rose (40/1)

If Sharp Response comes forward again from his recent reappearance effort as he did at Haydock last time, he has a big chance. As too does Step Back who clearly loves it around this Esher track. Classic Ben is still unexposed over fences and is respected after his sole chase win came at this track. However, CONINGSBY is preferred, given he gets into this race off a nice weight, and holds the profile of an improving young horse who holds plenty of potential upped in trip. Provided he avoids jumping errors (unseated last time out), he can mark himself out as a stayer to follow.