13:05 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2023

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 3.3s

Holetown Hero^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129| D

14/1

Progressive in bumpers and also going the right way over hurdles, winning maiden/novice events at Taunton and even better form in defeat the last twice. Handicap debut.

Form: 441122

Beau Balko²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| BF| CD

8/1

Successful on his sole Flat start in France and dual winner over hurdles for current connections, including a C&D handicap in February. Collared late on in Stratford novice 4 weeks ago but it was another good run. Yard seeking a third win in this in the last 4 years.

Form: 21512

Killaloan^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| D

13/2

Has made a good start to his hurdling career, completing a hat-trick when readily seeing off the reopposing Bertie's Wish in a 2m Ludlow handicap 37 days ago. Raised another 6 lb but there's likely more to come and he's the mount of Harry Cobden from the stable's 3 runners.

Form: 34111

Under Control⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128| D

7/1

Her only defeat in 4 starts over hurdles came when down the field in Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival, bouncing back quickly from that disappointing run when landing a juvenile handicap back at Cheltenham 9 days ago. Up 7 lb but likely capable of better again.

Form: 1101

Imperial Bede⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

22/1

French bumper winner who duly stepped up on his hurdles debut display when seeing off 13 rivals in good style in a Huntingdon maiden in January. Not up to the Grade 2 Dovecote at Kempton the following month but he retains potential now handicapping.

Form: 120-314

Iberico Lord²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 120| D

15/2

Won a French bumper in May. Well beaten first 2 outings over hurdles but a different proposition after wind surgery when getting up in the dying strides in 2m Stratford novice 4 weeks ago. Strong-travelling style should lend itself to handicaps. Big player.

Form: 16F1

Celtic Art⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 120

12/1

Useful winner on Flat and has made an encouraging start to his hurdle career, winning maiden/novice at Wincanton at the beginning of 2023. Opening handicap mark in this sphere looks workable. Another to consider.

Form: 311

Joe Dadancer^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 118| D

10/1

Clear when fell last sole start in Irish points and has progressed with each of his 4 hurdling runs, clear second at Lingfield before going one better at Southwell (2m, soft) last month. Opening handicap mark demands more but he has the potential for better again.

Form: F-7421

Bertie's Wish^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: J Candlish| OR: 118

28/1

Free-going sort who isn't an easy ride but recorded win number 2 in a first-time hood at Sedgefield in February. Creditable placed efforts on his last 2 outings, on the first occasion chasing home Killaloan at Ludlow.

Form: 183123

General Medrano¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 118

20/1

Showed promise both starts in bumpers and much improved over hurdles when winning a Fontwell maiden in February. Solid start to his handicap career when second of 13 at Exeter (17f, heavy) 18 days ago.

Form: 384132

Milldam^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 115| D

66/1

Fairly useful hurdler who opened his account on the back of a breathing operation/9 weeks off in 9-runner maiden at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March. Does need to bounce back from a disappointing run at Newton Abbot since, though.

Form: 0-23614

Arqoob³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 114| C| D

10/1

Useful handicapper on the Flat for William Jarvis. Yet to reach that level over hurdles but he's certainly taken to it, winning a Huntingdon novice last month before second in a Newbury handicap (both 2m). Not discounted from an unchanged mark.

Form: 2412

Tapley⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 114| D

33/1

Made a winning start under Rules in a Fontwell bumper in October and has shown fair form over hurdles since, runner-up twice before getting off the mark in a 2m Plumpton maiden in February. Opening handicap mark not obviously generous, though.

Form: 945221

Sergeant Wilson^h⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113| D

10/1

Got back on track in first-time hood when landing 2m novice hurdle at Fakenham in February. Shaped like the best horse at the weights (did too much too soon) when collared on line in 2m Doncaster handicap since. Has his quirks but also a bigger performance in him if piecing it all together.

Form: F32012

Kansas Du Berlais^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117

11/2

Promising fourth in listed newcomers race at Auteuil on hurdling debut for David Cottin. Beaten at short odds on his first 3 outings for Gary Moore but it's all clicked in recent weeks, winning maiden/novice events at Fontwell. An opening mark of 117 looks very manageable.

Form: 442411

Non-Runners

Dancila¹³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Kansas Du Berlais (11/2), Killaloan (13/2), Under Control (7/1), Iberico Lord (15/2), Beau Balko (8/1), Arqoob (10/1), Joe Dadancer (10/1), Sergeant Wilson (10/1), Celtic Art (12/1), Holetown Hero (14/1), General Medrano (20/1), Dancila (20/1), Imperial Bede (22/1), Bertie's Wish (28/1), Tapley (33/1), Milldam (66/1)

It's all come together for KANSAS DU BERLAIS this spring and he's selected to complete a hat-trick now switching to handicap company for the first time. The J P McManus-owned Nicky Henderson pair Iberico Lord and Under Control likely have more to offer and head the many dangers. Paul Nicholls' excellent record in this also earns Killaloan a place on the shortlist.