15:35 Sandown

Saturday 1 February 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Betway Masters Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 6m 36.4s

Dragon D'Estruval^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147

9/1

Proved better than ever when winning at Ludlow last time appreciating the refitted cheekpieces and the slightly easier grade. Travelled well but has been given a 7lb rise for that win so he'll need to improve again.

Form: 30-35V1

Royal Vacation^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 145| D

25/1

Hard sort to predict running well in the Badger Ales Trophy in November before not going a yard at Taunton last time in a race he won the previous year. Slipping down towards his last wining mark but hard to rely on.

Form: 4P-53V4

As De Mee^p1²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| BF| C

12/1

Smart handicapper a few years ago but lightly-raced since his last win in October 2017 off a 2lb higher mark. Shaped as if retaining all his old ability when returning from a long absence in November; trip too short last time, this more suitable.

Form: 4U0/763

Ami Desbois^t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 142| D

14/1

Consistent sort in handicap chases including in this last year when just touched off by Classic Ben; 10lb higher now though. Returned to form after a break when second at Kelso last time; no surprise to see him go well.

Form: 62-2062

Le Rocher²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 140

8/1

Smart hurdler (Grade 1 winner) who started his career over fences winning his first three starts. Failed to win in any sphere since then although he did come close last time when just touched off at Wincanton; stamina could be an issue.

Form: 35242-2

Deise Aba³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135| D

7/1

Opened his chasing account in a match at Catterick last time building on a promising effort at Ascot the time before. Still has some questions to answer over his jumping but unexposed and must be respected given a test that should suit.

Form: 144-P41

Cloudy Glen⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

6/1

Took a dislike to the change of tactics at Cheltenham last week (held up, ran out at the first), sure to revert to front running here. Prior to that mishap had posted some decent chasing efforts; remains of interest but handle with care.

Form: 1-42F1R

Diable De Sivola^v1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132

6/1

0-10 over fences and 1-21 overall he's clearly hard to win with despite producing some decent efforts of late. Third last time out at Newbury he wasn't seen to best effect but isn't one to be making excuses for.

Form: 23-7723

Classic Ben^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 131| CD

11/4

Well backed when narrowly taking this race last year he's only 1lb higher having only run three time since. Ran respectably at Haydock last time and looked to be working his way back to top form; another bold bid is to be expected.

Form: 314-4V3

Cap Du Nord⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 125| C

7/1

Scored a quickfire hat-trick early last year over fences but all over shorter trips than this. Resumed winning ways at Fakenham last time (strong in the betting); yet to prove he really stays this trip and 3lb out of the weights.

Form: 395431

Non-Runners

Crievehill⁴²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Mister Malarky⁴²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: C L Tizzard J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Forecasts

Classic Ben (11/4), Cloudy Glen (6/1), Diable De Sivola (6/1), Deise Aba (7/1), Cap Du Nord (7/1), Le Rocher (8/1), Mister Malarky (8/1), Dragon D'Estruval (9/1), As De Mee (12/1), Crievehill (12/1), Ami Desbois (14/1), Royal Vacation (25/1)

Like the other handicaps on the card this won’t be easy to win but last year’s winner CLASSIC BEN looks a sound choice to hold onto his crown and defeat his old rival Ami Desbois once more both of those runners giving notice they were ready to win last time. Dragon D’Estruval came good at Ludlow last time and he’ll be in the mix despite a 7lb rise which looks rather harsh. If Cloudy Glen could be trusted not to repeat his Cheltenham antics he’s a useful sort at his best and he’ll handle the mud. As De Mee will enjoy this trip better and this dual course winner could be galvanised by the application of first-time cheekpieces.