16:10 Sandown

Saturday 1 February 2020

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

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:14 | Winning time: 5m 31.95s

Stick With Bill³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 124| D

2/1

This is a more realistic level for him having contested the Group Challow Hurdle last time, brushed aside easily. He was useful in bumpers and over hurdles, however, now makes his handicap debut looking reasonably treated off this mark.

Form: 12-214

Special Acceptance²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber| OR: 120

20/1

Failed to raise a challenge in a Warwick handicap hurdle recently (had a stiff task 5lb out of weights) but has yet to get his head in front. Meets some unexposed and better handicapped types in this; easily passed over.

Form: 2-33PU9

Dublin Four^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 119

9/1

Looks to be going in the right direction over hurdles especially since he was sent into handicaps. Backed up the improvement he'd shown on his handicap debut at Kelso last time (edged out by a useful sort); takes a slight drop in grade.

Form: 464222

Equus Dancer³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 116

8/1

Useful in bumpers he's gone backwards over hurdles after making a promising start in this sphere. Now makes his handicap debut but will need to settle better and it's not certain that this ground will suit either.

Form: 411-348

Ambion Hill²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 116

14/1

Progressed with every hurdles run; stayed on well last time (well supported) at Chepstow, still showed signs of inexperience. Ought to give a good account although the handicapper hasn't let him in lightly on what he's shown.

Form: 74-663

Iconic Muddle²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 115

5/1

Improving steadily over hurdles and looks to have been brought along with a test such as this in mind going handicapping for the first time. Trip won't be a problem but he does face some other unexposed sorts so may need further progress.

Form: 00-232

Lisa De Vassy³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 112

7/1

Dual French Flat winner she produced her best effort last time when second at Wincanton to a decent sort. Appeals as the sort to go on improving especially now that she goes into handicaps for the first time; shortlisted.

Form: P-42

Barntown^h⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 111| D

4/1

Made up for a last hurdle fall at Lingfield by returning there to win a week later highlighting the progress he was making in handicaps. Shaped well last time in a better grade when unsuited by the drop to 2m1f; remains one to be positive about.

Form: 66-6F16

On The Quiet²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107

33/1

Bumper winner who has made gradual strides as a hurdler producing a good effort on her handicap debut despite doing too much in the early stages. Failed to complete last time but isn't a lost cause if learning to settle better.

Form: 14432U

Forecasts

Stick With Bill (2/1), Barntown (4/1), Iconic Muddle (5/1), Lisa De Vassy (7/1), Equus Dancer (8/1), Dublin Four (9/1), Ambion Hill (14/1), Special Acceptance (20/1), On The Quiet (33/1)

Plenty of interest to be found in a complex finale where five of the runners are making their handicap debuts. Stick With Bill found Grade 1 company too hot last time but he’s on a reasonable opening mark given his previous novice form. Iconic Muddle is another who looks to have been dealt a fair mark and is still unexposed but the biggest danger from those making their initial start in a handicap looks to be Lisa De Vassy her yard is in form and a mark of 112 looks lenient. DUBLIN FOUR is bang in form and is knocking at the door and this test should suit him ideally after he was just touched off at Kelso last time.