15:35 Sandown

Friday 3 December 2021

All12:4513:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 9.85s

William Henry^p²³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: S Thomas| OR: 149

20/1

Very smart hurdler for Nicky Henderson. Winning start for this yard over fences at Hereford last winter, prior to finishing down the field back hurdling in an Aintree Grade 1 when last seen in April.

Form: 4381/10-

Al Dancer²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 146

8/1

Form tailed off following a promising start over fences last season, and failed to fire on return/debut for new yard at Cheltenham. However, he's interesting back in this sphere (4-5 over hurdles).

Form: 5/139P-0

Stoner's Choice^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| BF

15/2

Not the most fluent of jumpers by any means, but has won 4 of his 8 starts in this sphere. Reappearance third off 1 lb higher at Kempton (21f) was a creditable effort and he's not discounted.

Form: 11214-3

Storm Arising^p1²⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| D

8/1

Never involved in the Pertemps at Cheltenham in March but he had been progressive around 3m prior to that, winning twice last winter. Cheekpieces added and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 30/1210-

Mulcahys Hill⁶³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 137WS

66/1

Winning hurdler/chaser, but absent since finishing well held over fences at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, subsequent to which he has undergone another wind op.

Form: 4F1P20/

The Cob²⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 136

12/1

Relished combination of step up to 3m and slow ground when landing a Grade 2 Doncaster novice in January. Struggled at the Cheltenham Festival since and this mark looks tough back in handicap company.

Form: 3/11310-

Copper Coin³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: M Scudamore| OR: 133| BF| D

15/2

Did it emphatically back from a break in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in October. Not disgraced off this 9 lb higher mark at Musselburgh (23.8f) since and this stiffer track will be more suitable.

Form: 611-U13

Pileon²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131

5/2

Failed to shine (initially over fences) last term, but the handicapper has reacted accordingly and his reappearance fourth at Aintree (24.7f) was encouraging. High on the shortlist.

Form: 4PP8-04

Tidal Flow^b1¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129

40/1

Talented hurdler/chaser on his day, but he has a fair bit to prove at present and hopes very much pinned on the fitting of blinkers/return to this sphere helping to spark a revival.

Form: 21/3P5-6

Bard Of Brittany^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 126| C

33/1

In good form during the spring, winning 3 times, including over 2½m here in March. However, he failed to shine on return at Plumpton last month and several of these are more appealing.

Form: 0118-16

South Terrace²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125| BF| D

6/1

Largely progressive 6-y-o who opened his account at fifth attempt for this yard at Uttoxeter (23.3f) in June. May have needed the run at Aintree last month and he could have a part to play.

Form: 32-2217

Mr Harp³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: T Gallagher| OR: 123| D

11/1

Scored on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (23.3f) last December and runner-up next 2 starts. It was disappointing to see him struggle on return at Ffos Las, though, for all that he looked a shade rusty.

Form: 31224-5

Forecasts

Pileon (5/2), South Terrace (6/1), Stoner's Choice (15/2), Copper Coin (15/2), Al Dancer (8/1), Storm Arising (8/1), Mr Harp (11/1), The Cob (12/1), William Henry (20/1), Bard Of Brittany (33/1), Tidal Flow (40/1), Mulcahys Hill (66/1)

AL DANCER disappointed on his reappearance over fences at Cheltenham, but it could be that the return to this sphere will facilitate a return to form. Indeed, he is 4-5 in this sphere and the booking of Thomas Doggrell, who is very good value for his claim, adds to his appeal. Pileon is lurking on a dangerous mark and is second choice ahead of South Terrace and Storm Arising.