16:10 Sandown

Friday 26 January 2024

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

Anne Boleyn Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 31.5s

Toonagh Warrior³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 116

15/2

Little better than modest in bumpers in Ireland but going the right way over hurdles, winning 5-runner novice at Wetherby (2m, heavy) in November. Progressed again when narrowly denied in 2m Ascot handicap before Christmas. Up in trip.

Form: 603212

Knowwhentoholdem³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 111

16/1

Improved second in Newton Abbot maiden on his final start last season and made a sound start to his handicap career when third of 8 over 19f at Haydock on his reappearance just before Christmas.

Form: 13/362-3

Artistic Endeavour³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 110

8/1

Yet to win but has shown plenty of promise, finishing runner-up 3 times over hurdles at around 2m. Failed to improve for the step up to 21f at Kempton over Christmas but he remains one likely to prove at least as effective over this sort of trip.

Form: 5-22523

Celtic Ned⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110| BF

7/1

Promise on his last 2 starts (both 2m at Lingfield), latterly finishing 8 lengths fourth of 8 on his handicap debut. Open to progress now stepping up in trip. Might prove the answer for in-form Gary Moore.

Form: P-624

Bertie Wooster⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 109| BF

12/1

Remains a maiden following 9 attempts over hurdles but he arrives in good nick, third at Hereford (25.5f, good to soft) last month. Stamina was stretched that day so there is reason to be positive back down in trip.

Form: 523-323

Blue Ridge Hill²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 107

40/1

Ran to a fair level when third on 2m course debut last February but heads into handicap company with a bit to prove having finished well held on both starts this season.

Form: 2223-57

Eloi Du Puy⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 106

10/1

Has improved since switched to handicaps, completing a hat-trick when seeing off 7 rivals over 19f at Carlisle last month. Had to overcome a bit of trouble in running at the Cumbrian venue and a 4 lb rise shouldn't prevent him making a bold bid for 4 in a row.

Form: 33-3111

Captain Boudet⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 105

11/1

£60,000 buy after finishing third on completed start in Irish point. Promise when reaching the frame in a pair of 19.5f Chepstow maiden hurdles in the autumn. His opening handicap mark isn't obviously generous but he has potential as an unexposed type.

Form: P-343

Vengeance³⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: W De Best-Turner| OR: 101

100/1

Placed twice at up to 2¾m at Fontwell for Harry Whittington last season. Resumes from 11 months off for new yard in a warm race and a watching brief has to be the percentage call.

Form: 63/2305-

Gyllen⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: K Woollacott| OR: 100

5/1

Winner of back-to-back handicaps at Taunton for new trainer Kayley Woollacott, latterly seeing off the reopposing Wot You Wearing by1½ lengths in a 10-runner event. Had a bit in hand on that occasion so a further 7 lb rise is unlikely to prevent another prominent showing.

Form: 346-611

Elle Est Beau⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 98| BF

5/1

Lightly-raced sort from a good yard who stayed on for third on last month's C&D handicap debut when well backed. Longer trips will suit but there is more to come from her and she's appealing.

Form: 5-8033

Wot You Wearing^p,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Jones| T: R Stephens| OR: 94

11/2

Showed an excellent attitude when gaining a third win of the season at Chepstow (19.5f) in November. Good second to the reopposing Gyllen over 3m at Taunton since and another bold show likely with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 153112

Non-Runners

Bold Reaction⁴²

Weight: 12-1| Age: 7

T: N J Henderson J: Freddie Gordon

Lily Luna³¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: J Scott J: Lorcan Williams

Forecasts

Gyllen (5/1), Elle Est Beau (5/1), Bold Reaction (5/1), Wot You Wearing (11/2), Celtic Ned (7/1), Toonagh Warrior (15/2), Artistic Endeavour (8/1), Eloi Du Puy (10/1), Captain Boudet (11/1), Bertie Wooster (12/1), Lily Luna (14/1), Knowwhentoholdem (16/1), Blue Ridge Hill (40/1), Vengeance (100/1)

A very competitive novice handicap to end the card. CELTIC NED made a good start to his handicap career at Lingfield last month and is taken to build on that and strike for Gary Moore. Last-time-out Taunton 1-2 Gyllen and Wot You Wearing head the many dangers along with Eloi du Puy and Nicky Henderson's Bold Reaction.