15:00 Sandown

Saturday 4 December 2021

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

Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 7m 55.0s

Highland Hunter²⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

9/1

Ended last season in good form over fences, winning at Carlisle (26f) and signing off with a fine run in the Midlands National. More to come and has found should be ready to go on return.

Form: 23F125-

Deise Aba^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| C

10/3

Two from two at this track (both in the Masters handicap held in February) and arrives on the back of a pleasing second over hurdles on reappearance, so demands plenty of respect.

Form: 5/PP1P-2

Larry^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| C

5/1

Useful chaser who has been lightly raced in recent seasons but looked as good as ever when landing a 14-runner event under a patient ride at Ascot 35 days ago. May well feature again.

Form: 08/P8-U1

The Mighty Don²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 137| BF

12/1

Useful chaser at his best. Stepped up on reappearance when runner-up in 5-runner event at Cheltenham last time but this bigger field will put more pressure on his jumping.

Form: P065-92

Christmas In April^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135

11/1

Useful chaser who capitalised on a reduced mark when back to form at Newton Abbot in the spring. Good second at Carlisle on reappearance and remains feasibly treated on old form.

Form: 2PP4-12

Red Infantry^v¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Ian Williams| OR: 130| C

16/1

Landed the Grimthorpe at Doncaster last term and not disgraced on either start since, including at Warwick on return. Visor goes back on but others look better handicapped.

Form: P0614-6

Strictlyadancer^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 129

6/1

Patiently-ridden chaser whose form has taken off lately, completing the hat-trick with something to spare at Haydock a fortnight ago. Has more on his plate in a competitive affair.

Form: 4-85111

Salty Boy^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 126

7/2

Useful ex-Irish hurdler/chaser who confirmed himself a thorough stayer when grinding out victory at Fontwell last time. This is a good deal tougher, but he's relatively unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 6363-31

Seaston Spirit^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: O Sherwood| OR: 125

25/1

Lost his way towards the end of last season and, while he may strip fitter for his reappearance over hurdles at Ffos Las 27 days ago, it would take a leap of faith to think he can land this.

Form: 1/11P5-P

Eclair De Guye^p²⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 125

16/1

Scored at Huntingdon last December but off since pulled up at this course in the spring. Has gone well fresh, so he's not one to completely dismiss.

Form: 1/2P12P-

Forecasts

Deise Aba (10/3), Salty Boy (7/2), Larry (5/1), Strictlyadancer (6/1), Highland Hunter (9/1), Christmas In April (11/1), The Mighty Don (12/1), Eclair De Guye (16/1), Red Infantry (16/1), Seaston Spirit (25/1)

DEISE ABA returned with a solid showing over hurdles and has scored on both previous visits to this track, so he gets the marginal vote in an open-looking contest. The thriving Strictlyadancer deserves plenty of respect bidding for the four-timer and it would be no surprise if Highland Hunter returned with an improved showing.