15:35 Sandown

Tuesday 7 March 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Team Forces Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 16.5s

Sir Psycho^p⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133

28/1

Won 3 times as a juvenile hurdler in 2019/20 season. Very lightly raced since and suffered a nasty experience when switched to fences on return from 2 years off at Bangor, falling heavily before crashing through a wing when loose. Well held back over hurdles at Wincanton since.

Form: 1559/F3

Martator³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

25/1

Placed in Grade 1s in Auteuil in 2021 for Joel Boisnard but subsequently spent more than a year off the track and capitulated tamely on his British debut here. Down the field at Cheltenham next time but at least it was a much better run in terms of form.

Form: 2343-80

West To The Bridge^p,t³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| CD

13/2

Enjoyed a purple patch early last year, completing 4-timer at Newton Abbot (26.5f) in March. Steadily found his form this term, good second to a subsequent winner at Uttoxeter (20f) 5 weeks ago, clear of rest. One to be interested in again now.

Form: 5-09532

Royaume Uni⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 128

10/1

Useful on Flat and reached a similar standard over hurdles when scoring twice in handicap company last season. Good return to hurdling when second at Plumpton (20.5f) in October but needs to shrug off a lesser run at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Form: 8122-20

Bourbali²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127| CD

4/1

Big improver last season, completing a hat-trick from the front in the spring, and performed creditably in defeat this term, shaped as if still in top form after 6 weeks off when fourth at Huntingdon. Likely to be in the mix again.

Form: 11-9324

Finest View¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 127

14/1

Completed 4-timer at Cartmel in May. Faced a stiff task in Doncaster Grade 2 on her return for a new yard (formerly with Alan King) and more competitive in Taunton handicap 2 weeks ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 111453

Hystery Bere³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jordan Nailor| T: T Symonds| OR: 126

11/2

Big step back in the right direction when fifth at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft) 38 days ago, finishing strongly after getting outpaced. Well worth another try at this sort of trip and enters calculations.

Form: 13P6-45

Master Debonair^t⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 124

14/1

Grade 2 novice hurdle winner at Ascot in 2019 who ran best race for Harry Fry when runner-up at Taunton 13 months ago. Much better for stable bow/return when fourth under this rider at Ffos Las 6 weeks ago and on a good mark if building on that.

Form: 523P-84

Thirtyfourstitches²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123| D

10/1

Front runner who won 5 times in a prolific campaign last season and 2 wins from last 3 starts at Plumpton this term, typically showing a splendid attitude. Must be respected.

Form: 1-PP1P1

Hermes Boy^p⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 119

6/1

Looked a horse to follow this time last year but added to patchy record when pulled up in Lanzarote at Kempton 7 weeks ago. This less competitive at least.

Form: 23-542P

Blue Stello⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 117

9/2

Runner-up in sole Irish point and subsequently awarded the race on Rules debut in 19f Warwick novice in November 2021. Not seen until finishing fourth of 11 in 2½m Uttoxeter handicap on New Year's Eve 15 months later. Should be more to come.

Form: 2/1-4

Pride Of Pemberley⁷⁸³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: R T Dunne| T: N Dunger| OR: 110| BF

80/1

Improved to make a successful handicap debut at Fakenham (23.5f, heavy) in January 2021 before decent second under a 7 lb penalty at Plumpton 9 days later. Not seen since, however.

Form: 484312/

Forecasts

Bourbali (4/1), Blue Stello (9/2), Hystery Bere (11/2), Hermes Boy (6/1), West To The Bridge (13/2), Thirtyfourstitches (10/1), Royaume Uni (10/1), Finest View (14/1), Master Debonair (14/1), Martator (25/1), Sir Psycho (28/1), Pride Of Pemberley (80/1)

Plenty to consider but it could be worth chancing MASTER DEBONAIR, who shaped much better on his second start for this yard at Ffos Las 6 weeks ago and is potentially on a handy mark if building on that. Hystery Bere caught the eye with his strong finish at Cheltenham last time so is high on the shortlist back up in trip, with West To The Bridge also of firm interest.