13:50 Sandown
Saturday 11 March 2023
All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45
European Breeders' Fund Betfair 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 4YO to 7YO | Class 1 | 2m 3f 173y | Heavy (Soft in Places) | 16 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 14.5s
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Selected odds by:
Useful in bumpers and quickly reached a similar level over hurdles, winning a C&D Grade 2 in December. Creditable in-frame efforts since and he's respected for a top yard seeking to win this for third time in 4 years.
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On a roll, completing a 4-timer (second leg over 2m here) when proving ½ length too strong for Tightenourbelts in 20.5f Market Rasen novice last month. More will be needed if he's to keep the winning run going here but no surprise were he to find it.
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£100,000 buy for top connections and made a highly promising start over hurdles when easily landing 11-runner novice at Newcastle (2m, soft) in December. Twice runner-up at Chepstow since. Opening mark no gimme but he's likely capable of better.
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Kayf Tara gelding who is going the right way, placed twice over 2m before relishing the step up to 2½m to score easily last time (all at Leicester). Major player for a yard which won this in 2021 and had one beaten a short head in 2019.
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Smart dual winner in bumpers and landed maiden/novice hurdles around the turn of the year. Creditable 1¼ lengths second of 6 to reopposing Twin Power in C&D handicap (good to soft) 5 weeks ago. May not have reached his limit.
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Fairly useful bumper winner who showed similar form in this sphere when opening his account in 2½m Southwell novice in December. Below that level at Warwick next time but back on track when third in 19f Carlisle handicap latest, leaving impression the stiffer test of stamina he faces now will suit.
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Impressed when winning 2 bumpers last season. Wasn't foot perfect but class got him through on hurdles debut at Ascot. Disappointing when pulled up in the Challow at Newbury over Christmas but straight back on track with a tongue tie added at Bangor last month, well on top at finish. Considered.
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Showed fair form in bumpers last season and built on the promise of his hurdling debut when opening account in novice at Catterick (19f) in January. Creditable second in Wetherby novice since. Likeable type who should have more to offer in handicaps.
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Bumper winner last season. Can't have been right on hurdle debut (pulled up) and has bounced back to win maiden/novice events at Plumpton and Fontwell since. Had Inneston behind him at latter venue and he's yet another in this line-up who is likely capable of better again.
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Runner-up on first 2 hurdle starts and scored readily at Wetherby (2m) on third attempt. Definitely more to come from him now stepping back up in trip for handicap debut. Tongue tie added. Player.
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Accounted for the reopposing Twinjets when making a successful handicap debut over C&D last month and advanced his form again when going down by only a short head to another of today's rivals, Inneston, back here since. One of 3 solid contenders for his stable.
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Fairly useful form when runner-up in 2 novices in midwinter but not at his best when behind a couple of these rivals on his C&D handicap debut 23 days ago. Others are preferred.
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French bumper winner. Placed on first 2 hurdle starts for new connections before improving again to edge out Twin Power on his C&D handicap debut (good to soft) 23 days ago. Open to further progress.
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Cost £180,000 after winning sole outing in points and has improved with each of his starts under Rules, finishing miles clear of the rest when second in novice at Exeter (18.5f) 4 weeks ago. Pitched into a very competitive race for handicap debut but stil not discounted.
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Bumper winner on yard debut in October. Only minor promise on first 2 hurdle starts but pieced it all together when rallying to lead in the dying strides at Fontwell (19f, soft) 6 weeks ago. More will be needed to follow up here, though.
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Winning pointer who has shown fair form in this sphere but he finished well behind a few of these on his C&D handicap debut 23 days ago. Would be a shock winner.
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Non-Runners
8
War Soldier42
Weight: 11-4| Age: 6
T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania
NR
Forecasts
Cuthbert Dibble (4/1), Inneston (13/2), Henri The Second (13/2), Crambo (15/2), Twinjets (15/2), Churchills Boy (17/2), Etalon (9/1), Hugos New Horse (11/1), Twin Power (16/1), Mexico (18/1), Crebilly (25/1), Cerendipity (25/1), War Soldier (25/1), Off To A Flyer (28/1), Stans The Man (40/1), Grey D'alco (40/1), Gaelic Park (66/1)
A typically competitive renewal featuring several progressive types. CUTHBERT DIBBLE looked a different proposition stepped up to 2½m at Leicester last time and is taken to provide Nigel Twiston-Davies with a second win in this in the last 3 years. There are any number of possible dangers, headed by Etalon, who wears a first-time tongue tie for handicap debut, Churchills Boy and last month's C&D 1-2 Inneston and Twin Power.
- Etalon9/1
- Churchills Boy17/2
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £45,016.002nd: £16,960.003rd: £8,488.004th: £4,240.005th: £2,128.006th: £1,064.007th: £528.008th: £272.00
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