15:00 Sandown

Friday 8 December 2023

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

Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 37.5s

Collectors Item^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130

9/2

Dual novice hurdle winner last season and stepped up on low-key chase debut when fifth of 12 in a handicap at Exeter (24.2f, soft). Down 2 lb and further improvement should be forthcoming. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 5123-45

Jet Plane^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129

14/1

Appeared to relish the switch to front-running tactics when scoring in good style at Ludlow in May, but looked equally happy given a more patient ride when following up on return at Newton Abbot (25.8f, soft). Perhaps found conditions too testing at Warwick last time and he's not discounted.

Form: P34-114

Huelgoat^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129

6/1

Much-improved over fences last term and, following a reappearance spin in a handicap hurdle at Worcester, he made it 5-9 in this sphere when striking at Wincanton (20.2f, soft) last month. Hit with an 8 lb rise for that, but moving back up in trip looks a good move and he's a big player.

Form: 224-241

Via Dolorosa^b,t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 127| D

100/1

Useful in France and matched that form for David Pipe when landing 3m handicap chases at Southwell and Fakenham in March. Successful on second start for new yard back in France in October, but efforts either side of that have been poor and he looks up against it.

Form: 2PP-81P

My Silver Lining²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

5/1

Signed off last season on a winning note at Cheltenham and duly followed up on return at Wincanton in October. Continued the good work when narrowly outpointed in an Exeter handicap last time (Collectors Item around 12 lengths behind) and she has to enter calculations.

Form: 5151-12

Not Sure^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 116| D

17/2

Won twice switched to chasing last season and, making only his second start at 3m, resumed his progress when scoring at Wetherby (heavy) on return last month. 6 lb rise fair and he probably has more to offer.

Form: 41313-1

Midnight Mary^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 115| D

9/1

Good strike rate over hurdles (4-12) and perfect start in this sphere when landing a 6-runner mares' handicap at Wetherby (19.4f, soft) in January. Hasn't done a great deal wrong in 5 subsequent appearances, but she's probably a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: 1222-43

Robyndzone²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 113| D

17/2

Contributed to what has been a fantastic start to the season for the Venetia Williams yard with a clear-cut reappearance success in a Ludlow handicap (25.6f, soft). More on his plate up 6 lb in this stronger race, but Ned Fox's claim will help and another bold show could be on the way.

Form: 2/5P12-1

Animal¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 113| D

13/2

As good as ever when winning at Kempton in March and positive start to this season when runner-up off this mark at Leicester (22.7f, good to soft) recently. However, a clear career-best will be needed if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 37214-2

Planned Paradise¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 112

11/2

Consistent for Neil Mulholland last season, but efforts for new yard since returning to action in October have not been overly inspiring. Others preferred.

Form: 2463-P5

Non-Runners

Kapcorse²²⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 10

T: Billy Aprahamian J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Collectors Item (9/2), My Silver Lining (5/1), Planned Paradise (11/2), Huelgoat (6/1), Animal (13/2), Not Sure (17/2), Robyndzone (17/2), Midnight Mary (9/1), Jet Plane (14/1), Kapcorse (16/1), Via Dolorosa (100/1)

HUELGOAT will need to raise his game another notch in order to defy an 8 lb rise for last month's Wincanton success, but he impressed with his strength at the finish in what was a well-run race that day and this step back up in trip could help unlock a bit more. Collectors Item is open to improvement as a chaser and, though behind My Silver Lining at Exeter, he may well emerge as the main danger now equipped with cheekpieces. Not Sure is also a threat now his Thursday engagement is abandonded.