16:50 Sandown

Thursday 18 February 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Richmond Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 5m 41.8s

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Selected odds by:

Conkwell Legend³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117| BF

7/2

Fairly useful form when third both starts this term in novice hurdles at Fontwell. Open to improvement now going into handicaps so he needs considering.

Form: 33-33

Sopran Thor⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117

13/2

Has progressed with each of his three runs over hurdles, excellent fourth of 14 in novice at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) 40 days ago. More to offer on handicap bow and well in the mix.

Form: 63-654

Honor Grey³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 117

13/2

In frame all three starts over hurdles, best run when second of 9 in novice at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) 31 days ago. Steps into handicap with solid claims.

Form: 44-442

Tel'art⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 115| D

18/1

Improved to bag two handicaps at up to 2¾m this summer but his recent form is much less encouraging, only eighth at Wincanton last time. Falling in the weights but still needs to show more.

Form: 3P6598

Delgany Monarch³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Rowe| OR: 115

10/1

Fair form in three novice hurdles this term, twice third before fifth at Fontwell (2m6f) last month. Respected now going into handicaps.

Form: 3-335

Land Of Winter⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: Rae Guest| OR: 114

13/2

Improved to score twice on the Flat in October and encouraging fourth back hurdling after a break in 2m4f Huntingdon novice 58 days ago. Has more to offer on handicap bow so also worth considering.

Form: 32-4

Itsnotwhatyouthink⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 113

18/1

Runner-up both starts in bumpers and promise both starts over hurdles, not given a hard time when third in 2m4f Plumpton novice latest. Remains type to do better when emphasis is on stamina.

Form: 2-233

Henri Le Bon^t1⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 110WS

20/1

Fair maiden hurdler who failed to build on reappearance when only sixth at Doncaster (2m4f) in December. Since had wind op and tongue strap on too so could bounce back.

Form: 7032-66

Gastara^h1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 110

17/2

Yet to make the frame over hurdles but has shaped well with a view to handicaps, again amateur ridden and free-going at Chepstow (19.5f) last time. Interesting now hooded under promising conditional.

Form: 000-867

Timeless Beauty^t1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 109

9/2

Winning Irish pointer who opened her account over hurdles on handicap bow at Ayr (2m5f) last month, well on top at the finish. Appeals as the type to do even better so not taken lightly.

Form: 4/1-3531

Non-Runners

Dorking Lad⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Grangeclare Glory²⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Straight Swap⁷⁶

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: C Gordon J: Tom Cannon

Go Steady³⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Conkwell Legend (7/2), Timeless Beauty (9/2), Dorking Lad (9/2), Sopran Thor (13/2), Land Of Winter (13/2), Honor Grey (13/2), Gastara (17/2), Delgany Monarch (10/1), Grangeclare Glory (12/1), Go Steady (14/1), Tel'art (18/1), Itsnotwhatyouthink (18/1), Henri Le Bon (20/1), Straight Swap (20/1)

Lots with chances but Johnny Farrelly's GASTARA has long given the impression there is much better to come once stepping into handicap-company. Talented conditional Kevin Brogan is an eye-catching booking and he is fancied to go well. Dorking Lad, one of two for Gary Moore, heads the list of dangers, although Grangeclare Glory can have a say too now going up in trip.