15:25 Sandown

Saturday 29 April 2023

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

bet365 Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 13.72s

Cap Du Mathan^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136

9/2

Dual-winning hurdler who opened account over fences in a Taunton handicap in January. Followed up in an Exeter novice a month later and form of latest second at Kempton (2¼m, heavy) has been franked since, so has a fair bit going for him.

Form: 231122

Quel Destin^p⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| C

10/1

Smart hurdler who landed a small-field Lingfield beginners' chase in January. Patchy form overall in this sphere but solid effort when touched off by Hudson de Grugy over C&D last time (2 lb better off with that rival now) and merits respect, despite being passed over by Harry Cobden.

Form: P/3P132

Quinta Do Mar^p⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 133

9/1

Successful 4 times from 12 starts over hurdles and stepped up on previous efforts in this sphere when accounting for 3 rivals in a Fontwell handicap chase (19.5f, good). Seemingly sharpened up by the first-time cheekpieces on that occasion (retained) and remains on a workable up 4 lb.

Form: 0-51P41

Harper's Brook^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 132| D

7/2

Winning hurdler who has initially improved for switch to chasing, runner-up at Carlisle on return prior to going one place better in a Bangor handicap (20.3f, heavy). This is less taxing than the tasks he has faced at Cheltenham the last twice and may well bounce back with a bold show here.

Form: 21-215P

Honneur D'Ajonc³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 129| D

12/1

Built up a good strike rate over hurdles last season and came good at the fifth time of asking in this sphere at Hereford (21f, good to soft) in January. However, he has a bit to prove following a poor effort at Newbury where he reportedly broke a blood vessel.

Form: 57421P

Fable⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128| D

12/1

Irish point/dual hurdles winner who made it third time lucky over fences in 5-runner mares' handicap at Bangor (20.3f, good to soft) in February. Beaten a long way when third in the 4-runner affair won by Quinta Do Mar at Fontwell last time, though, and she's hard to recommend on the back of that.

Form: 1/P-2P13

Hudson De Grugy^v⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 126| CD

7/2

Three of his 4 hurdles wins were registered here and improved on his previous chase efforts when seeing off Quel Destin (pair nicely clear of the rest) over C&D (soft) last month. Remains on a good mark up 3 lb and claims if able to build on that.

Form: 6-42731

Gloire D'Athon^h,t⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 125| CD

11/2

Winner of first 3 starts over fences for present connections, including a C&D handicap in December when proving a neck too strong for the re-opposing Fable. Lost little caste in defeat when runner-up at Plumpton next time and returning to this stiffer track will certainly aid his cause.

Form: 2-21112

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

Mumbo Jumbo³⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Harper's Brook (7/2), Hudson De Grugy (7/2), Cap Du Mathan (9/2), Gloire D'Athon (11/2), Quinta Do Mar (9/1), Quel Destin (10/1), Honneur D'Ajonc (12/1), Fable (12/1), Mumbo Jumbo (12/1)

None of these can be ruled out with complete confidence. The value angle could be GLOIRE D'ATHON, who completed the hat-trick when scoring over C&D during the winter and his latest second at Plumpton was no backward step. Harper's Brook looks the pick of the Ben Pauling-trained duo and is feared most with his sights lowered having contested a Grade novice and the Ultima at Cheltenham the last twice. Paul Nicholls also saddles two and Cap du Mathan, the choice of Harry Cobden, also has claims.