15:30 Sandown

Saturday 4 February 2023

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:03

Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 26.5s

Empire Steel⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 143

5/1

Enhanced good record when mud is flying when successful at Kelso (21.6f) 12 months ago. Caught the eye when mid-field over inadequate trip on at Aintree his return (19.9f) and this more his bag. Interesting.

Form: 2FP12-7

Rapper^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 143

10/1

Winner of 25f handicaps at Catterick and Wincanton last season and responded very well to this headgear when resuming winning ways at Cheltenham 5 weeks ago. That was a career-best performance so must be respected.

Form: 110-931

Eva's Oskar^v⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 143| D

12/1

Likeable chaser who has improved again since fitted with a visor and resumed winning ways in gritty fashion at Cheltenham (26f) 8 weeks ago. That wasn't the strongest race for the grade but should continue to give a good account.

Form: P41-621

Flegmatik^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

22/1

Back-to-back winner at Kempton a year ago and resumed with a good third at Ascot (21f). Found little back at Kempton last time, however, and this a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 311P-30

Celebre D'Allen^p1²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| BF

7/1

Returned from a long absence with a bang last season, winning 3 handicaps (2 hurdle, 1 chase) and fine fifth in Plate at Cheltenham Festival. Fair reappearance fourth at Warwick but failed to build on that at Wincanton, lacking any of the zip that characterised his wins last term. Headgear applied.

Form: 1115-43

Larry^p,t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136| C| D

9/1

Decent strike rate over the years and jumped much better than usual when winning 3m handicap chase at Ascot on return. Not quite in same form at Kempton since, however, and can't afford to make mistakes around here.

Form: 635P-16

Emir Sacree⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| BF

25/1

Signed off last term with a career-best win in 2m3f handicap chase at Chepstow but ran poorly at Hereford on return despite his good record fresh (went off favourite). Bit to prove all of a sudden.

Form: 6/1231-P

Kauto Riko^p,t²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton| OR: 134

50/1

Has drawn a blank since a 3m Kelso listed success in February 2020 and let down by jumping 2 of 3 starts this term. Others preferred.

Form: 453-U5U

Equus Dancer^p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 134

9/1

Enhanced his impressive strike rate after 18 months off in 7-runner handicap chase at Hereford (20.9f, soft, 16/1) 45 days ago, proving better than ever in the process. Remains to be seen how he comes out of this but has already shown he's well capable of stringing wins together.

Form: 341/11-1

Castle Robin^p,t⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134| BF| D

10/1

Ended last season on the up over fences, scoring at Doncaster and Wetherby in the spring. Respectable fourth in a good race at Kelso on return but pulled up on landing having lost his action at Cheltenham since. Worth another chance back from a break.

Form: 4611-4P

Laskalin³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133| BF

7/2

Ex-French winner who returned after a wind op/10 months off with emphatic success in 7-runner handicap chase at Ludlow (25.6f, 6/4), going with enthusiasm. However, only third off revised mark at Newbury on New Year's Eve so career best is required.

Form: 6725-13

Broken Halo^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

7/1

Low-mileage 8-y-o who signed off last season by landing a 3-runner novice chase at Fontwell (21.6f, good to soft) in March. Well held both starts this term, however, and back up in trip now.

Form: 3141-76

Non-Runners

Bangers And Cash⁴⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: Kielan Woods

Movethechains³⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Forecasts

Laskalin (7/2), Empire Steel (5/1), Bangers And Cash (6/1), Celebre D'Allen (7/1), Broken Halo (7/1), Larry (9/1), Equus Dancer (9/1), Castle Robin (10/1), Rapper (10/1), Eva's Oskar (12/1), Movethechains (20/1), Flegmatik (22/1), Emir Sacree (25/1), Kauto Riko (50/1)

This looks a highly-competitive renewal but BANGERS AND CASH is really progressive now, impressing with the way he took command of the race before showing an excellent attitude when scoring at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, and he shades the vote over Empire Steel, who very much caught the eye on his comeback at Aintree. Rapper and Eva's Oskar are others to consider.