15:35 Sandown

Friday 24 January 2025

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

Walking With The Wounded Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 24.83s

Spirit D'aunou^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| C

5/1

Posted personal best when successful at this track (16f) in December 2023. Without a win since but, in first-time cheekpieces, fared better than previously this season when fourth of 11 at Newbury (20.5f, good to soft) last time and it will be disappointing if he can't build on that effort.

Form: 005-F64

Il Va De Soi^p⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: Harry Derham| OR: 122| D

5/1

Ended last campaign on a high, scoring at Chepstow (19.5f) and Uttoxeter (20f) in spring and returned with creditable fifth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (21f, good to soft) 57 days ago. Looks an out and out galloper and should enjoy this stiff test today. Merits consideration.

Form: 47211-5

Dominic's Fault⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

4/1

Well-bred, rangy sort who overcame a lengthy absence to land a 6-runner Leicester novice in January and has progressed further since, scoring with something to spare in a handicap at Lingfield last time. Has the scope to keep improving now back up in trip and looks a leading player.

Form: F/13-21

High Game Royal⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 118

10/1

Fairly useful hurdler who shaped as if still in good form when fifth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (24f, good to soft) 42 days ago, not finding as much had looked likely at one stage. The way he travelled on that occasion suggests drop back in trip could help. Respected for in-form yard.

Form: 335-225

Yellow Star^b³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118

9/1

Ran his best race of the season last-time when fitted with cheekpieces, rallying from 2 out to finish fifth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Ascot (21.6f, good to soft) 35 days ago. Blinkers back on today and entitled to remain competitive, although he may find a couple too good in here.

Form: 474-435

Pearly Island^v²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 118| D

10/1

Dual hurdles scorer who opened chase account in March. Visored for first time when back to form over smaller obstacles, winning an 8-runner handicap hurdle (Fakenham, 20f, soft) in a race that was run to suit. This looks tougher though.

Form: 132-261

Loverdose^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 107| D

2/1

French Flat winner who is improving over hurdles, now 3 from 4 in handicaps and a bit unlucky the other time. Career-best when winning 13-runner handicap hurdle at Windsor (20f, good to soft) 40 days ago and while this represents a step-up in grade, it's unlikely we've seen the best of him yet.

Form: 081-121

Non-Runners

Godot²³

Weight: 10-9| Age: 8

T: A Irvine J: Philip Armson

Forecasts

Loverdose (2/1), Dominic's Fault (4/1), Il Va De Soi (5/1), Spirit D'aunou (5/1), Yellow Star (9/1), High Game Royal (10/1), Pearly Island (10/1), Godot (14/1)

DOMINIC'S FAULT looks to have scope and size and it bodes well that he was able to get the job done over 2 miles last time. He can progress again for this step up in trip ahead of High Game Royal who is an interesting challenger dropping back in distance having flattered to deceive at Cheltenham last time. Spirit d'Aunou, Loverdose and Il Va de Soi are all respected, with marginal preference for the last named to claim bronze here.