13:15 Sandown

Friday 26 January 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Cardinal Wolsey 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 15.8s

El Saviour³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| D

16/1

Runner-up on his sole outing in Irish points in April 2022 and went one better in a Warwick novice in November, asserting final 100 yds. Possibly found race coming too soon when tailed off under a penalty at Plumpton next time but has something to prove nonetheless.

Form: 2/10

Southoftheborder⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| BF| CD

30/100

Point winner who made a successful Rules debut in Ffos Las bumper last March and followed up in stylish fashion in a C&D maiden hurdle 8 months later. Looked in a spot of bother when unseating 2 out back here since but it was a Grade 2 and he's a leading contender back in calmer waters.

Form: 11-1U

All Authorized⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore

5/1

Brother to useful 2m hurdle winner I Am Maximus and made ideal start when landing a Fontwell bumper in ready fashion in April. Didn't look entirely straightforward under a penalty at Ascot on return but shaped better than the distance beaten suggests on his Lingfield hurdle bow and should improve.

Form: 1-64

Ballybay^h1,t⁶³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: G & J Moore| BF

25/1

Sent off favourite but faded into seventh in a big-field bumper at the 2022 Punchestown Festival (only start for Willie Mullins). Not seen since but still worth checking out in the betting now hurdling for in-form Gary Moore. Hood added.

Form: 7/

Ballybentragh⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore

6/1

£100,000 6-y-o, Fame And Glory gelding. Half-brother to smart hurdler/chaser Bright New Dawn, stayed 3m, and useful 2m hurdle winner Lyrical Theatre. Winning Irish pointer, runner-up on all 3 other starts (latest Oct 28). Makes plenty of appeal on Rules debut.

Form: 12-22

Gower Prince^h⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

50/1

Showed a bit on the first of 3 starts in bumpers for Matt Sheppard but too free both outings over hurdles for new yard since returning from a 13-month absence.

Form: 4/00-56

Kingoftheswingerz³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin

40/1

Modest in bumpers and showed an aptitude for hurdling when third of 9 in a novice hurdle at Wincanton (19.8f, heavy, 50/1) 38 days ago. This asks for a good deal more, however.

Form: 763

Parsons Stone^h²⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: R Stephens

125/1

Modest at best in bumpers and ran to just a poor level on Chepstow hurdle debut. Off 9 months.

Form: 4/776-

Non-Runners

Rock House³⁰

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Southoftheborder (30/100), Rock House (2/1), All Authorized (5/1), Ballybentragh (6/1), El Saviour (16/1), Ballybay (25/1), Kingoftheswingerz (40/1), Gower Prince (50/1), Parsons Stone (125/1)

SOUTHOFTHEBORDER looked in a spot of bother when unseating his rider 2 out in a Grade 2 here last month, but he's clearly held in high regard and can resume winning ways now returned to calmer waters. Ballybentragh makes plenty of appeal on paper and is the pick of Gary Moore's trio before market clues. Rock House could easily bounce back and is respected.