15:35 Sandown

Saturday 5 December 2020

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Betfair Exchange December Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 14.26s

Solo²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| D

15/2

Made highly impressive British debut when landing the Adonis at Kempton last term and, while both subsequent runs have been sub-par, he may find this easier in handicaps for the first time.

Form: 2118-4

Eglantine Du Seuil^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146| BF| D

12/1

Smart hurdler for Willie Mullins and made a reasonable start for new stable when fifth at Wincanton on return. Should be spot on now, so she's an intriguing contender.

Form: 33540-5

Totterdown²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 139| CD

16/1

Useful hurdler who ended last season with a good third at Sandown and now returns to this sphere after being let down by his jumping over fences.

Form: P7/13-3F

Mister Coffey^h²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| CD

6/4

Well-regarded 5-y-o who is most progressive over hurdles and had a good deal up his sleeve when landing a C&D handicap last time. Still ahead of his mark and looks the one to beat.

Form: 1/12-1

Nickolson⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 134| D

18/1

Winner of sole start in bumpers and made a successful hurdles debut at Wincanton last October. Has improved on both subsequent outings but handicapper hasn't taken any chances with opening mark.

Form: 1/12-2

Jolly's Cracked It^t⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 132| D

9/1

Fragile 11-y-o but still retains a pretty useful level of ability as indicated by a smooth-travelling fifth at Aintree on reappearance. Drop in trip could suit, so not totally discoutned.

Form: 5P/034-5

Rosie And Millie^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 130| D

12/1

Front runner who produced her best effort to date when second at Ascot last time but faces competition for the lead and is vulnerable to less-exposed types.

Form: 2120-42

Benson^t1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127| D

9/2

Bumper winner who has upped his game over hurdles this term, scoring on both outings. Latest success (at Hereford) has been boosted since, so makes appeal now handicapping in a tongue strap.

Form: 14R7-11

Galice Macalo³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 127| D

10/1

Got the better of subsequent winner Marada at Warwick in October and followed up in even more stylish fashion at Stratford. Unlikely to have reached her limit, so one to note from fair opening mark.

Form: 4F6-11

Let The Heirs Walk⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123| D

80/1

Useful-looking gelding who defied a penalty after 8 months off to score at Warwick (2m) on return. Underwhelming run in a novice at Hereford subsequently, though and more required back in handicap.

Form: 3631-15

Forecasts

Mister Coffey (6/4), Benson (9/2), Solo (15/2), Jolly's Cracked It (9/1), Galice Macalo (10/1), Rosie And Millie (12/1), Eglantine Du Seuil (12/1), Totterdown (16/1), Nickolson (18/1), Let The Heirs Walk (80/1)

The ease in which MISTER COFFEY came through from the back to score impressively over C&D last time sticks in the mind and, with more to come, he's well fancied to defy a rise despite this tougher assignment. Galice Macalo is a clear danger unless she gets in a speed duel, while it's too soon to write Solo off as he tries a handicap for the first time.