16:05 Sandown

Saturday 5 February 2022

All12:4013:1513:5014:2014:5515:3016:05

Virgin Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 5m 22.0s

Royal Pretender⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 124

17/2

Doubled his tally for the season at Plumpton in November and has run creditably in defeat since, third at Taunton a couple of months ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 62-1123

Mister Watson^p1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| D

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler who upped his game to score at Lingfield in December, then underperformed in tough underfoot conditions at Haydock 37 days later. Could get back on track with cheekpieces tried.

Form: 24-2515

Peejaybee²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 122| BF

3/1

Bumper/maiden hurdle winner, and almost added to that tally when a smooth-travelling second at Doncaster on handicap debut. More to come, so boasts leading claims.

Form: 1-132

Whydah Gally¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 121| D

7/2

Low-mileage 6-y-o who confirmed previous promise when off the mark over hurdles in a handicap at Wincanton last month, staying on well. Another solid showing is on the cards.

Form: 64F-321

Garincha³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117| D

4/1

Left previous form behind when powering through to score at Wetherby in December. Good second to Straight Swap at Chepstow last time, and may well turn the tables with that rival.

Form: 53-4712

Straight Swap³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 112

8/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who gained what looked an unlikely success at Chepstow (19.5f, heavy) a month ago, showing abundant stamina to get on top close home. Not certain to back that up.

Form: 8828-51

Love Actually¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 104

9/2

Winning pointer who left previous hurdling form behind when scoring with something to spare in a 17-runner Taunton handicap a fortnight ago. Could do better still, so one to have in mind up in grade.

Form: 4-1U561

Non-Runners

Whistleinthedark⁵⁴

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: R G Hawker J: Non Runner

Spike Jones²²

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: S Drinkwater J: Danny Burton

Forecasts

Peejaybee (3/1), Whydah Gally (7/2), Garincha (4/1), Love Actually (9/2), Straight Swap (8/1), Whistleinthedark (8/1), Royal Pretender (17/2), Spike Jones (12/1), Mister Watson (18/1)

PEEJAYBEE was a warm order for his handicap debut at Doncaster and, while he found one too good, the way he travelled suggests he's well capable of defying this sort of mark, so he gets the nod. The thriving Garincha also merits consideration, along with Whydah Gally.