13:50 Sandown

Saturday 12 March 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

European Breeders' Fund Paddy Power 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 18.3s

Knappers Hill²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

9/2

3-3 in bumpers, including Grade 2, and stretched unbeaten record to 5 with novice hurdle wins in autumn. Met with defeat in better contests since but remains with potential, especially now up in trip.

Form: 11-1136

Surrey Quest^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133| D

28/1

Looked a good prospect when making it 2 from 2 over hurdles at Doncaster in December. Ran badly in Warwick Grade 2 subsequently, though was later found to be coughing.

Form: 211P

Jerrash¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130

20/1

Promising son of Kayf Tara who didn't need to match his best form as he resumed winning ways in a 3-runner affair at Fontwell (19.2f) 13 days ago. Makes handicap debut and remains capable of better.

Form: 3131

Thunder Rock³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 129| D

8/1

Bumper winner who found only one too good on Newton Abbot hurdles debut in October and has won all 3 starts since with something in hand, including a Huntingdon handicap latest. Shortlisted up 6 lb.

Form: 31-2111

Peejaybee¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 129| CD

9/1

Strong traveller who improved further when running out a 9-length winner of a C&D handicap early last month. Followed up with ease back in a novice at Sedgefield and looks sure go well.

Form: 1-13211

Complete Unknown⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126

11/1

Yet to add to his useful bumper success, but boasts some solid form over hurdles, including when second to Jerrash in an Ascot novice (21.6f) 49 days ago. Each-way claims.

Form: U/1-3232

Dubrovnik Harry³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 125| BF

15/2

Confirmed debut promise in no uncertain terms when bolting up in an Exeter maiden on New Year's Day. A shade disappointing when turned over at short odds at Leicester since but it remains early days.

Form: 312

Triple Trade²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124| BF| D

18/1

Suited by the step up in trip when scoring with something to spare at Lingfield (19.5f) in January. Failed to repeat that form under a penalty at Exeter, though conditions were perhaps to blame.

Form: 5-34313

Our Jet^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

6/1

Seemingly much improved for a breathing op when winning last 2 starts at Wetherby, doing well to run down Rafferty's Return (won both starts either side) on latest. Interesting handicap debutant.

Form: 3-2411

Kingofthewest^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 120

11/1

Taunton debut winner who resumed winning ways when making all at Exeter (16.7f) 15 days ago, pushed out. Back up in trip and could have more to come.

Form: 2-121

Hometown Hero^t1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

40/1

Irish point winner at second attempt who confirmed earlier promise over hurdles when justifying short odds at Market Rasen (20.6f) 32 days ago, just holding on. Further progress not ruled out.

Form: P1/4-521

Marble Sands⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 119| BF

11/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who improved further over hurdles when beaten only a neck by Kingofthewest at Taunton (19f) 49 days ago. Into handicaps now and may well have a bigger performance in him.

Form: 152-232

Arizona Cardinal¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 117

33/1

Irish point winner who revived a novice season that had been threatening to peter out when making all at Warwick (19f) 15 days ago, just holding on. Opening mark fair but has more on his plate here.

Form: P-13P41

Mumbo Jumbo⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 117| BF

16/1

Runner-up in a Newbury bumper but has proven consistent rather than progressive in 3 hurdle starts. More needed on handicap debut.

Form: 2-P423

Jet Plane^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

22/1

Made amends for his last flight fall at Warwick when scoring in a Ludlow (21.2f) in January. Ran at least as well in defeat at Leicester but needs to pull out more back in handicap company.

Form: 6-25F13

Mucho Mas^t1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 116

40/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who matched that form when scoring on Doncaster hurdle bow. Hasn't advanced his form in a couple of starts since though, so looks vulnerable. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 1P-6173

Georges Saint⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 116| BF| DWS

16/1

Dual chase winner in the mud in France who also showed fair form over hurdles there. Encouraging third on yard debut at Haydock (15.6f) but failed to build on that promise at Exeter. Had breathing op.

Form: 191-435

Forecasts

Knappers Hill (9/2), Our Jet (6/1), Dubrovnik Harry (15/2), Thunder Rock (8/1), Peejaybee (9/1), Complete Unknown (11/1), Marble Sands (11/1), Kingofthewest (11/1), Mumbo Jumbo (16/1), Georges Saint (16/1), Triple Trade (18/1), Jerrash (20/1), Jet Plane (22/1), Surrey Quest (28/1), Arizona Cardinal (33/1), Mucho Mas (40/1), Hometown Hero (40/1)

A typically competitive renewal of this valuable prize, with the tentative vote going to PEEJAYBEE, who is already a C&D winner and should be suited by this type of test given his strong-travelling style. Knappers Hill was far from disgraced in the Betfair Hurdle and remains with potential, especially now moving up in trip, while Our Jet and Thunder Rock complete shortlist.