Sandown Thoughts

1405 Sandown 2m Handicap Chase

1405 Sandown 2m Handicap Chase

TANKS FOR THAT – Front runner who improved to win on reappearance, fell last time when holding every chance, up 9lb and conceding plenty of weight to some promising types here. Should run his race but looks a bit too high in the handicap.

DAVE’S DREAM – Still 10lb above last winning mark, best on good ground and Geraghty prefers Tanks For That. Overlooked.

KING EDMUND – Front runner who has a consistent profile, up 7lb for latest win and conditions suit here but  career high mark to defy and up in class, he possibly wants a bit further too.

PRET A THOU – Front runner who’s chase record is 6-4-27 so he looks exposed but ran a career best last time and even though this is a better race and he would prefer softer conditions he has solid E/W claims.

HOLD FAST – His jumping didn’t look convincing over 2m on his reappearance and is possibly more comfortable over further, saying that he should come on for the run and looks a player.

NOMECHEKI – Two poor efforts in better company last twice and overall profile none to consistent, overlooked.

RILEYEV – Progressive animal, chase record of 6-4-14(w-p-r), conditions suit and big run expected again.

DARCEYS DANCER - Hasn't convinced with his jumping and does’nt strike me as being good enough as his handicap chase record of 0-1-5 suggests.

ALL FOR FREE - Tough assignment off mark of 124 (7lb higher than last win) in better class, but is a young improving horse and should be involved in the finish.

VERDICT

If I discount Tanks For That on weight carried and Hold Fast on trip and jumping, then that leaves me with Pret A Thou who has a solid e/w shout but is totally exposed from a win perspective, Rileyev who should run his usual solid race again and All For Free who as an unexposed novice off a light weight should make his presence felt here.

1pt win All For Free @ 11/2 with bet365.

 

 

 

Saturday 7th January 2012 – 1510 - 3m 1/2f Handicap Chase - Sandown

NEPTUNE COLLONGES – Last two wins were in small fields but 2lb lower than last winning mark and staying on 4^th last time out reads well, his January-February record is 3-1-4 (w-p-r) and is worth a second look for e/w purposes.

MASTER OF THE HALL – Handicap debut off 150 looks within his grasp, easy win on reappearance beating a winner who has won again since, conditions suit here and only concern is his preference for smaller fields.

WYMOTT – Shown nothing this season in two handicap runs, running especially poorly last time, kept on same mark and best watched until signs of improvement.

EXMOOR RANGER – Won on reappearance and up 7lb, still looks well treated and can go close here with a clear round.

THE PANAMA KID – Generally progressive this term, completing hat-trick in November. Up 6lb since last win and bit more required in a competitive handicap such as this so needs to improve again on first attempt beyond 2m6f.

THE KNOXS – Respected back over fences as his chase mark is 11lb lower than his hurdle mark but I would like to see him put in a clear round before backing him, especially over Sandown’s fences.

BE THERE IN FIVE – 1-2-6 (w-p-r) is his chase record and he doesn’t look the most natural chaser but he could improve for a second season especially over a trip in excess of this one, best watched on seasonal reappearance.

QHILIMAR – Looks to need a gap between races to win so 8 day absence is a negative also looks out classed as his record in class 2 and above races is 0-0-8. Overlooked.

ANY CURRENCY – Thorough stayer who was pulled up in Welsh National latest, if fully recovered he can go well here, 2-3-8 in handicaps he is still ahead of his mark of 133 in my opinion and rates a solid e/w shot.

HOLD ON JULIO – Racing off a 16lb higher mark (including 3lb oh) than impressive C/D reappearance win (he beat nothing in hindsight) but he looks a very progressive animal (3 p2p & a hunter chase win in 2011) and can go very close off a feather weight.

VERDICT

Hold On Julio gets the vote here as this progressive animals trainer is showing great confidence by running him from out of the handicap in this valuable chase. Master Of The Hall can go well if adapting to this bigger field and Any Currency will be staying on through beaten horses at the finish.

2pts win Hold On Julio @ 7/2 with Bet365