13:20 Sandown

Saturday 4 January 2020

All12:1512:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Read Nicky Henderson's Unibet Blog Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 27.12s

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Selected odds by:

Chef D'Equipe^h,t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| CD

17/2

Winner of this in 2018 off a 5lb lower mark he's proved to be a largely consistent sort running much better last time than on his return. Only narrowly touched off last time at Newbury, ought to give his running again, looks capable off this mark.

Form: 234-F52

Dashing Perk²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 129| CD

7/4

Useful winning hurdler who built on the promise of his chasing debut after a 14 month break and a wind op by winning over C&D late last year. Jumped well and looked better in this sphere than over hurdles; up 6lb, further progress likely.

Form: 184P/3-1

Vinnie The Hoddie²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 126| D

14/1

Fairly useful over fences although he has failed to complete once and had little chance against two useful rivals last time. Not always fluent he'll need to jump with more panache here if he's to get involved.

Form: 025-2U3

Mercy Mercy Me^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| C

9/2

Bumper winner who has never really realised his potential over hurdles but his debut over fences suggested he may do better in this sphere. Jumped well at Plumpton finishing a close third to two-useful rivals; considerately handled, more to come.

Form: 2352-23

Mystical Clouds²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A King| OR: 124| D

7/1

Bettered his hurdles form straight away over fences shaping with encouragement at Leicester back from an 11-month break. Travelled well (didn't get the best of runs in the closing stages); more to come, one to be interested in off this mark.

Form: 3/1F23-4

Clondaw Westie^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 123| D

16/1

Useful chaser on his day and shaped as though he would be better for the run when finishing a creditable fourth after an 8-month break at Kempton. Likely to come on for that run but could still need this outing to regain full fitness.

Form: 1/541P-4

Cap Du Nord¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 122| C

11/2

Ended last season on a high when scoring a quick hat-trick via some good placing. Has run well in some tougher races than he needs to contest of late and may well appreciate the slight ease in grade as his mark also starts to regress.

Form: 1-63954

Waikiki Waves⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| D

12/1

Taken well to fences winning five of his six races in this sphere picking up where he left off when completing a four-timer at Fontwell in October. Given a hefty 10lb rise for that 9L win he's got to show more here but does go well when fresh.

Form: 16111-1

Volt Face^h,t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 117

20/1

On a losing run that stretches back to 2014 so not one to rely on although he has run some fair races in handicap chases in the interim. Fell at the first when returning from and 8-month break last time; others appeal more given his profile.

Form: 2425-2F

Non-Runners

Domaine De L'Isle²⁸

Weight: 11-13| Age: 7

T: S Curran J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dashing Perk (7/4), Mercy Mercy Me (9/2), Cap Du Nord (11/2), Mystical Clouds (7/1), Chef D'Equipe (17/2), Waikiki Waves (12/1), Vinnie The Hoddie (14/1), Clondaw Westie (16/1), Volt Face (20/1)

A one would expect for a Saturday handicap at the track this won’t be easy to win and there are several with chances. Gary Moore won this last year so his Waikiki Waves has to be respected although he yet to face a field of this quality and the same could be said of Mercy Mercy Me but he does look to have room for further progress. The 2018 winner Chef D’Equipe has to be respected despite heading the weights but its Dashing Perk who looks one of the main dangers a scorer over C&D last time in impressive fashion there looks to be more to come. MYSTICAL CLOUDS is the suggestion though after his promising Leicester fourth where he was considerately handled.