13:20 Sandown

Friday 16 February 2018

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:35

Smarkets Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 12.72s

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Selected odds by:

Gassin Golf^p,t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122| D

4/1

Was beaten just 1L over C&D in the 2015 Imperial Cup here when 13lb higher and won next time off 135, but has been unable to add to that. Handles heavy, though yet to win on it. Probably has frame claims if he can produce his best.

Form:

Chieftain's Choice³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: K Frost| OR: 119| CD

7/1

5lb higher today than when winning this race last year (soft), which remains his most recent success. Has gone close more than one from higher marks since that success, handles heavy and not ruled out if you can forgive him his latest effort.

Form:

Paddy's Poem¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryony Frost| T: N J Gifford| OR: 117

6/1

Improving performer who remains a maiden, but suggested in two recent Plumpton runs over this trip (on soft/heavy) that there are races to be won with him. Handicap mark looks very fair for debut in this sphere and market check advisable.

Form:

Balibour³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁶⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 116

7/1

Has been showing improved form over longer trips in his last three starts, the most recent when 4¼L third on his handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m3½f, soft). Up 1lb for that, though unproven on heavy and shorter trip a slight concern now.

Form:

Balgemmois³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: A Stronge| OR: 116| BF| D

8/1

Generally an improving profile and won at Leicester (soft) over a similar trip in December. 7lb rise on heavy ground put paid to him when back there last time and needs to eek out some more from the same mark in this field.

Form:

Bazooka^p1¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: D Flood| OR: 115

16/1

Latest Flat win at Ffos Las in September was on heavy ground over 1m4f, so conditions not a concern, though handicap mark is judged on what we have seen over hurdles recently. Probably has each-way claims if cheekpieces work.

Form:

Subcontinent⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 113

5/1

Has shown a flicker of a revival in fortunes in his last two starts at Chepstow, both over 2m3½f on heavy ground and drop in trip not a major concern, though this mark looks likely to present a challenge on his handicap debut.

Form:

Vicenzo Mio^p,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 112| D

10/1

Scored at Kempton on his British hurdles debut in December 2013, but has failed to add another win since. Has plummeted 15lb already this season and is certainly well handicapped on some relatively recent form, so is not ruled out.

Form:

Mr Fickle⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: William Clarke⁽⁸⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 112| CD

25/1

Scored over C&D (soft) in 2015 when 3lb higher. Stays 2m4½f, though has failed to produce his best form over longer trips in recent starts and now drops to the minimum. 5lb drop may help, but has a bit to prove.

Form:

Briac¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: M Pattinson| OR: 94| D

16/1

Yet to win on turf and has two Kempton AW successes at up to 2m to his name. Best efforts would give him a chance of some prize money, if able to repeat them, though suspicion is that he ideally wants further over hurdles.

Form:

Georgieshore^h¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: James Bowen| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 93| BF| D

8/1

Stays 2m3½f, though won over the minimum trip at Leicester (heavy) recently. 7lb rise prior to his return there last time saw him unable to repeat that effort and he looks up against it again from 1lb 'wrong'.

Form:

Non-Runners

First Quest¹⁸

Weight: 10-7| Age: 4

T: J R Boyle J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gassin Golf (4/1), Subcontinent (5/1), Paddy's Poem (6/1), Balibour (7/1), Chieftain's Choice (7/1), Balgemmois (8/1), Georgieshore (8/1), Vicenzo Mio (10/1), Briac (16/1), Bazooka (16/1), Mr Fickle (25/1), First Quest (25/1)

A very tricky opener for punters, with none of them in red hot form of late and the suggestion is PADDY'S POEM, who looks to have got in for his handicap debut on a workable mark and he might be able to break his duck. Last year's winner Chieftain's Choice is respected from 5lb higher, while Gassin Golf is not ruled out and others considered are Vicenzo Mio and Bazooka. Keep an eye on the market with regard to both Mr Fickle and Subcontinent.