15:35 Sandown

Friday 8 December 2023

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

Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 23.1s

Magical King²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 118

4/1

Built on encouraging hurdles debut when second of 7 in novice at Aintree (2½m, heavy) last month, in turn pulling well clear of the rest. Mark for this handicap debut is no gift, but he should make his presence felt all the same.

Form: 3-22

Asta La Pasta^t1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| D

8/1

Market Rasen bumper winner in February and impressed with how readily he picked up the runner-up from the last when following up on Uttoxeter hurdles debut (15.8f, good to soft) in October. Disappointing at Exeter since, though, and needs to get back on track now handicapping. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 41-13

Sun Joy²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 114

25/1

French Flat winner who hasn't been out of the frame in 5 completed starts over hurdles, most recently runner-up on debut for this yard in a Taunton maiden (19f, good to soft). Likely to pick up a race before long, but will need to improve a chunk if he's to make a winning handicap bow here.

Form: 242-22

Classic Anthem²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: R T Dunne| T: J R Boyle| OR: 114WS

10/3

Expensive recruit from the Irish pointing field who shaped well on hurdles bow in a Kempton novice in May. Another encouraging display when third on return in a warm C&D maiden (Impact Du Bonheur 13 lengths behind in fourth) and since undergone a wind op. One to consider on handicap debut.

Form: 1/5-23

West End Boy³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 110| D

9/4

Left last season's efforts well behind when making a successful handicap debut at Wincanton in October before following up from same mark the following week. That form has been franked and an 11 lb rise may not be enough to stop him in his tracks.

Form: 6F2-11

Impact Du Bonheur^t1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 101

5/1

Bought for €90,000 after winning the third of 3 bumper starts in France. Hasn't threatened in 2 starts switched to hurdles for Paul Nicholls, but the refitting of a trongue strap may help (sported this headgear in France) and better expected now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 212-4

He's A Latchico²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 101| C

10/1

Duly left novice form behind switched to handicaps in this sphere during the summer, scoring twice at up to 19f on good/good to firm at Fontwell, and also scored on the Flat here in July. However, he was safely held on return at Lingfield last month and he probably needs better ground.

Form: 55-8116

Non-Runners

Immortal³⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Fever Dream⁶¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: Christian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Immortal (7/4), West End Boy (9/4), Classic Anthem (10/3), Magical King (4/1), Impact Du Bonheur (5/1), Asta La Pasta (8/1), He's A Latchico (10/1), Fever Dream (12/1), Sun Joy (25/1)

Though he failed to justify market confidence on his handicap debut at Ascot, IMMORTAL is entitled to come on for that reappearance spin and the suspicion remains that he is capable of a good deal better. West End Boy's engagement at Wincanton on Thursday is abandonded, and he's an obvious danger, while Impact du Bonheur was behind Classic Anthem over this C&D last month but, like Immortal, his best days are surely ahead of him and he could step up now switched to handicap company.