16:15 Sandown

Thursday 15 February 2024

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:46

Spectra Group Alanbrooke Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 42.60s

Placenet^t⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 132WS

18/1

Useful hurdler/chaser in France who looks to have been handed a lenient opening mark on his UK/stable debut but was pulled up in 3m Cheltenham handicap hurdle in November. Subsequent breathing surgery needs to spark a resurgence.

Form: 42124P

Fern Hill^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 130

14/1

Deservedly got his head in front over fences at Uttoxeter (22.5f) over a year ago. Finally returned to that level when third at Chepstow on his comeback but pulled up (had wind op and tongue tied) at Lingfield since. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 9P44-3P

Hudson De Grugy⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123| C

7/2

Course winner who resumed after 7 months off/wind surgery with a respectable third of 8 in handicap chase here (15.4f, soft, 9/2) 69 days ago. Merits consideration now back up in distance.

Form: 2731P-3

Yes Indeed^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122

10/1

Fairly useful winning chaser in France and some decent placed efforts for this yard, though needs to bounce back from 2 poor runs in December.

Form: 42-234P

I See You Well²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 120| CD

16/1

Plumpton specialist who gained his latest success over this C&D in December 2022. Reproduction of that form would put him firmly in the picture but he's rather up-and-down nowadays and others look safer.

Form: 28265U

Animal²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 118| BF| CD

5/2

In excellent form this season, scoring over C&D before runner-up in handicap chase at Lingfield (28.8f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Has to be taken seriously off an unchanged mark.

Form: 14-2132

Copperhead^p,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 118| C| D

4/1

Not the force of old but he's proving consistent this season and came in a solid third in 3m1f handicap at Wincanton 14 days ago. He shouldn't be ruled out.

Form: 6-22633

Trincomalee^p²³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 114

15/2

Useful hurdler/chaser at his best but was having his first run since April 2022 when coming in a well-held sixth in handicap chase (22/1) at Newbury (22.4f, soft) 23 days ago. Should strip fitter now.

Form: 32152/6

Bretney^p⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 105| D

16/1

A dual scorer last term who arrives in decent nick, third of 8 in handicap chase at Fakenham (29.1f, heavy) 58 days ago. Not dismissed.

Form: 18P-323

Non-Runners

Special Acceptance³⁹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 11

T: P R Webber J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Animal (5/2), Hudson De Grugy (7/2), Copperhead (4/1), Trincomalee (15/2), Special Acceptance (8/1), Yes Indeed (10/1), Fern Hill (14/1), Bretney (16/1), I See You Well (16/1), Placenet (18/1)

A few of these arrive with question marks against them so this looks a good opportunity for ANIMAL to quickly resume winning ways and bag a second C&D success. Course-scorer Hudson de Grugy is feared most if, as expected, building on his reappearance third here over a much shorter trip, while the consistent duo Copperhead and Special Acceptance need factoring in too.