16:45 Sandown

Thursday 16 February 2023

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

Rolfe Judd Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 13.1s

Equinus²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| D

8/1

Promising sort. 5/2, won 11-runner handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (20f, soft) 24 days ago. Can progress further despite 5 lb rise. Well in the mix.

Form: 2421

Gaelic Park²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119

20/1

9/4, creditable second of 10 in novice hurdle at Doncaster (19.4f, good) 20 days ago. Much respected on his handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 13-6422

Egbert⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 119

15/2

Lightly raced under NH rules. Career best when winning 15-runner novice hurdle (6/4) at Ludlow (21.2f, soft) 41 days ago. Considered now going into handicaps.

Form: 3-2341

Spanish Present^p1⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 117| DWS

12/1

Arrives in good nick, second of 13 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (18.6f, good to soft) 52 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Since had a wind op and in the picture.

Form: 9-41922

Sporting Mike^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 117| BF| D

16/1

Winner at Southwell in November and not disgraced when fourth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Doncaster (19.4f, soft) 37 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 9-43124

Keep Running⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 116

28/1

French import who comfortably made a winning debut for this yard in maiden hurdle at Bangor in September. However, has found things tougher under a penalty since and more required on his handicap bow.

Form: 326-164

Amrons Sage⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115

7/2

Won sole start in Irish points and promise shown when second both starts in novice hurdles, going on well at the finish at Ludlow in December. Highly likely he can do better now handicapping over further. Interesting.

Form: 1-22

Twin Power^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 113| CD

6/1

Fairly useful form when runner-up on first of 2 starts in bumpers and landed 6-runner handicap hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) 12 days ago. Likely to improve further. One to consider.

Form: 23-221

Missed Tee³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| D

14/1

Easily won sole start in Irish points and arrives on a hat-trick after successes at Uttoxeter and Hereford (handicap debut) either side of Christmas. More to offer for top yard so she's firmly in the picture.

Form: 1-411

Inneston¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 111| BF

11/4

Evens, built on hurdilng debut promise when third of 10 in novice hurdle at Fontwell (17.7f, soft) 18 days ago. This French bumper winner needs considering now going into handicaps.

Form: 1-33

Grey D'alco⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Rowe| OR: 109

33/1

Winning pointer who has shown fair form in this sphere, fourth of 14 in novice at Lingfield (19.5f, heavy, 16/5) 57 days ago, making effort earlier than ideal. Much respected on handicap bow.

Form: P21-344

Forecasts

Inneston (11/4), Amrons Sage (7/2), Twin Power (6/1), Egbert (15/2), Equinus (8/1), Spanish Present (12/1), Missed Tee (14/1), Sporting Mike (16/1), Gaelic Park (20/1), Keep Running (28/1), Grey D'alco (33/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. AMRONS SAGE caught the eye when a strong-finishing second at Ludlow last time and looks to have got in lightly for his handicap bow so is fancied to emerge on top. Hat-trick seeking Missed Tee also looks to have better days ahead of her and is feared most, although recent handicap scorers Equinus and Twin Power can't be taken lightly either in a competitive event.