13:15 Sandown

Friday 8 December 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 6.8s

Dreams Of Home^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126

9/1

Ended 2021/22 season on a winning note in this race and picked up where he left off by landing 17f Kelso handicap on return 12 months ago. Not hit those heights since, however, including on comeback last month.

Form: 44454-3

Fast Buck^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 125

6/1

Took advantage of reduced mark when recording a first win over fences at Lingfield in December. Similar form when runner-up next 2 starts but below par since, though latest third over C&D was at least a step back in the right direction.

Form: 122P-53

Hudson De Grugy²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124| BF| CWS

9/2

Three of his 4 hurdles wins were registered here and improved on his previous chase efforts when scoring over 20f here in March. Ran poorly here final start but ground might have been too lively for him.

Form: 42731P-

Kotmask¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121

5/2

In the frame all 4 starts over hurdles last year and caught the eye under considerate handling when third at Kempton (18f, good, 6/1) on debut over fences on return. Duly improved on that when winning 5-runner handicap at Plumpton (17f, soft) 18 days ago and should have more to offer in this sphere.

Form: 4322-31

Mount Tempest^b1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 116| BF

11/2

Promising winning hurdler who shaped well on his chase debut after 6 months off/breathing surgery when second of 3 in handicap chase at Newton Abbot (16.3f, soft). However, ran poorly at Wetherby next time and headgear now applied.

Form: 5713-28

Alto Alto²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 111

14/1

Left previous chasing efforts behind when winning 17f handicap at Plumpton in April. Failed to beat a rival next 2 starts 6 months apart, however.

Form: PP31-60

Greenrock Abbey^p²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 111| BF

9/1

Took well to fences last season, winning 2 of his 6 starts, including on reappearance. Career best probably needed up in class on return, though.

Form: 131233-

Will Sting²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 110

8/1

Fairly useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences at the second attempt at Doncaster in January. Pulled up at Huntingdon next time but made a respectable return at Lingfield last month.

Form: 82P1P-5

Non-Runners

Ballybreeze²¹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 7

T: S Drinkwater J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Ballybreeze (9/4), Kotmask (5/2), Hudson De Grugy (9/2), Mount Tempest (11/2), Fast Buck (6/1), Will Sting (8/1), Greenrock Abbey (9/1), Dreams Of Home (9/1), Alto Alto (14/1)

KOTMASK confirmed chase-debut promise when winning with plenty in hand at Plumpton last month and surely has more to offer in this sphere for his in-form yard. Ballybreeze didn't get the chance to show what he could do at Cheltenham on his return and remains of interest, while the selection's stablemate Hudson de Grugy isn't taken lightly given his record here.