13:15 Sandown

Saturday 7 January 2023

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

Read Nicky Henderson's Unibet Blog Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 25.00s

Precious Eleanor⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 130| D

9/1

Useful chaser who signed off for last term with success in 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham. Looked rusty after 7 months off when fourth of 6 in listed chase at Market Rasen (23.9f) 58 days ago so she enters calculations with that under her belt.

Form: 22211-4

Scipion⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 129

11/2

Runner-up both starts in points and this fairly useful winning hurdler made a promising chase debut when third of 5 in handicap at Uttoxeter (22.5f) 85 days ago. Open to improvement after a break.

Form: 2/2331-3

Certainly Red³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 127

9/1

Is a reliable sort and he readily resumed winning ways in 8-runner handicap chase at Wincanton (25.1f) 37 days ago. In the mix despite taking a 5 lb rise.

Form: 4241-B1

Peejaybee⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: R Spencer| OR: 127| BF| CD

4/1

Strong traveller who scored 3 times at up to 2m4f over hurdles last term, Given a considerate introduction to chasing in novice at Carlisle before falling 7th in Haydock handicap last month. Remains open to improvement.

Form: 2115-5F

Gemirande³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124| D

3/1

Ex-French recruit who is on the up for his current yard, emphatically landing 11-runner handicap chase at Southwell (20.4f) 39 days ago. Runner-up has gone in since so he's a big player.

Form: 0/232-21

High Stakes^t1⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123| D

7/1

Point/hurdle winner who had a wind op before posting a good third of 8 in handicap chase at Catterick (25.2f) 50 days ago. Back down in trip with tongue strap now on and not discounted.

Form: 2P-1383

Sopran Thor²⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| D

11/2

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who made mistakes when good second of 4 in handicap chase at Huntingdon (19.9f) when last seen. Off 8 months but not ruled out.

Form: 54U422-

High Up In The Air³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118| C| D

22/1

Course winner but lightly raced since March 2021 and hasn't fired, coming in last of 7 in handicap chase here 36 days ago. Back up in trip with something to prove.

Form: 114/P-P7

Forecasts

Gemirande (3/1), Peejaybee (4/1), Scipion (11/2), Sopran Thor (11/2), High Stakes (7/1), Certainly Red (9/1), Precious Eleanor (9/1), High Up In The Air (22/1)

GEMIRANDE is firmly on the up for Venetia Williams and fancied to make light of a 10 lb hike in the weights for his stylish success at Southwell. Certainly Red is feared most on the back of his Wincanton victory, ahead of Precious Eleanor, who should take a big step forward from her Market Rasen fourth after an absence.