12:40 Sandown

Sunday 8 November 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Hampton Court Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 5m 11.17s

Espion²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 128| BF| D

10/3

Improved with each of his 3 starts in novice company last season, decisive winner of 4-runner affair at Uttoxeter in March. Easy to put a line through handicap bow/return and remains with potential.

Form: 5/531-0

Melekhov³⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126

14/1

Dual bumper winner who struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in 17f Exeter maiden in April 2019. Well held over C&D when last seen 12 months ago, though, and needs to get back on track.

Form: 1421/25-

First Lord De Cuet^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁶⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 126

11/8

Fairly useful novice hurdler last season who returned with a creditable third in 10-runner Fontwell handicap (17.7f) 37 days ago, though he did jump none too fluently and lug left after the last.

Form: 1/4120-3

Top Gamble^p,t²⁵⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124| D

16/1

On a long losing run and not the force of old over fences, but finally proved himself competitive again when runner-up in an Exeter handicap hurdle (16.8f) in March. Returns from 4 lb higher.

Form: 0/F3662-

Espalion^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 122| D

13/2

Has resumed better than ever, landing back-to-back handicaps at Uttoxeter and Exeter at up to this trip. This is tougher but has to be respected bidding for the hat-trick.

Form: 760-211

Twenty Twenty^v²³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁶⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118

10/1

Consistent type who made the most of a drop in grade when landing 6-runner handicap at Fontwell in March. Up 5 lb but another good account seems likely on reappearance.

Form: 322281-

Iconic Sky^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Maxime Tissier| T: L Wadham| OR: 116

25/1

Landed a pair of Market Rasen handicaps in spring 2018 but offered little after 30 months off at Fakenham 23 days ago. Can only be watched unless the subject of strong market support.

Form: 51231/P

Gortroe Joe²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁸⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 116| BF| D

8/1

Winless for Dan Skelton last season and made a low-key return for new stable at Carlisle last month. Has plenty to prove.

Form: 93049-0

Forecasts

First Lord De Cuet (11/8), Espion (10/3), Espalion (13/2), Gortroe Joe (8/1), Twenty Twenty (10/1), Melekhov (14/1), Top Gamble (16/1), Iconic Sky (25/1)

It is easy to put a line through ESPION's handicap debut/reappearance having all but came down at the eighth, and he looks very interesting now returning to the scene of his best novice run (strong form). Twenty Twenty is a consistent type who should give another good account on his reappearance, with hat-trick seeker Espalion also respected.