13:50 Sandown

Saturday 9 March 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

European Breeders' Fund Betfair 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 7.3s

Fire Flyer³²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127

11/2

Fairly useful bumper scorer who arrives on the back of novice hurdle wins at Wincanton (2m, soft) and Taunton (19f, good to soft) in recent months. Highly likely has more to come now handicapping for a top yard with a good recent record in this.

Form: 17-2211

Emailandy^p1,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| BF

22/1

Third in a bumper in the spring and built on that to make a successful start over hurdles in 20.5f novice at Plumpton in November. Has shown better form in defeat subsequently, including second in a handicap off this mark on penultimate start. Has first-time cheekpieces added to usual tongue tie.

Form: 73-1322

Champagne Twist⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 124

11/2

£60,000 buy after winning an Irish point and going the right way over hurdles for new connections, finishing second at Cheltenham on New Year's Day before going one better at Doncaster (19.5f, good to soft) 4 weeks later. Respected now handicapping with his yard continuing in good form.

Form: 3F1-421

Asta La Pasta^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

7/1

Bumper winner who made it 3-5 over hurdles when making all in 2m Wetherby novice in January. Steps up in trip for this return to handicap company. Another who can't be discounted.

Form: 1-13311

Pic Roc²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 123

10/1

Placed twice in bumpers last spring and progressive form over hurdles this term, second to the reopposing Hashtag at Catterick before winning a 19f Ascot novice 3 weeks ago. Definitely more to come and Kielan Woods seemingly prefers him to yard's other runners.

Form: 532-521

Dartmoor Pirate³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 121

12/1

Left his bumper efforts behind when making a successful hurdle debut at Wincanton (2m) in December. Runner-up in novices around 2m on both outings since and unexposed now handicapping over further.

Form: 7-7122

Awaythelad^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 120| D

33/1

Runner-up in a decent Lingfield handicap before landing maiden/novice events around 21f at Ludlow and Leicester in January. One of 3 solid contenders for a stable enjoying a good spell.

Form: P2-7211

Hasthing²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119| D

3/1

French bumper winner who made it 2-2 over hurdles when giving weight and a beating to Pic Roc at Catterick (19f, soft) in January. Found out by a drop back to 2m at Newbury since and remains capable of better now handicapping back at 2½m. His mark looks lenient judged on the Catterick form.

Form: 123-117

Roger Pol³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 119

16/1

Dual bumper winner who built on his Newton Abbot hurdle debut second when going one better over 2m at Fakenham at the start of November. Runner-up in Ascot handicap and Leicester novice (beaten neck by Awaythelad) since.

Form: 31-2122

Westerninthepark²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 118| D

18/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who has made a positive start over hurdles, winning a maiden at Plumpton and novice at Fakenham around 2½m this year. Open to further progress now handicapping.

Form: 210-311

Taras Halls⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117

16/1

Bumper winner for Lucy Wadham and runner-up twice over hurdles around 2½m for new yard in January, latterly to the reopposing Champagne Twist at Doncaster. Appeals as one who could go on to better things in handicaps.

Form: 20-F722

High Treason^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117

33/1

Placed in 2 bumpers last spring. Returned from wind surgery (also tongue tied) to make it third time lucky over hurdles in 19f Fontwell novice last month. While his opening handicap mark isn't obviously generous this owner/trainer combination won this race in 2021.

Form: 23-341

Tedley¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 116

50/1

Off the mark at the sixth time of asking over hurdles in 2m Wincanton maiden 10 days ago. Has a more exposed profile than the majority of these now handicapping back up in trip.

Form: 362421

Walks Like The Man⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 116| BF

40/1

Point/bumper winner who got off the mark in this sphere in 7-runner novice at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) in January. Unsuited by a drop back in trip when well-held fourth at Fontwell since. Should find this test more suitable now handicapping but he'll need improvement to defy this mark.

Form: 1-17314

Saladins Son⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

25/1

Bought for £95,000 after landing a maiden point. Promise when reaching the frame on 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles this season and unexposed now handicapping.

Form: 13-452

Thank You Ma'am²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: G Nicholls| OR: 113

33/1

Well held on hurdle debut in the autumn but placed on all 4 outings since, including stepped up to around 2½m for last month's Hereford handicap debut. Being raised 4 lb for that doesn't help now moving into this strong race.

Form: 3-03222

Diplomatic Ash^t1³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 113

80/1

Looked progressive in his 3 qualifying runs but needs to shrug off a disappointing handicap debut over C&D 5 weeks ago. Tongue tied first time.

Form: 8320

Forecasts

Hasthing (3/1), Champagne Twist (11/2), Fire Flyer (11/2), Asta La Pasta (7/1), Pic Roc (10/1), Dartmoor Pirate (12/1), Taras Halls (16/1), Roger Pol (16/1), Westerninthepark (18/1), Emailandy (22/1), Saladins Son (25/1), High Treason (33/1), Thank You Ma'am (33/1), Awaythelad (33/1), Walks Like The Man (40/1), Tedley (50/1), Diplomatic Ash (80/1)

HASTHING had the drop to 2m as an excuse at Newbury last time and looks very well treated on the form of his defeat of the reopposing Pic Roc at Catterick prior to that. That rival is one of 2 interesting contenders from the in-form Ben Pauling stable along with Champagne Twist. Paul Nicholls has won 2 of the last 4 runnings and his Fire Flyer completes the shortlist in a typically competitive renewal.