* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
12:05 Hudson De Grugy
HUDSON DE GRUGY shaped encouragingly when second on his hurdling debut over this course and distance, sticking to his task well to be beaten less than two lengths. That form sets the standard in this line-up, and he has the scope to go on improving, especially if brushing up in the jumping department (put in a mixed round on debut). This looks an excellent opportunity for him to open his account over hurdles at the second attempt.
12:40 Whitehotchillifili
WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI showed useful form on her handicap debut over this course and distance, finding only one too good from a BHA mark of 130. That effort reads well in the context of this race, stepping back up to listed level, and the fact she has already shown her effectiveness in these conditions will count for a lot in what has the potential to develop into a slog.
13:15 Destinee Royale
DESTINEE ROYALE was lightly raced over hurdles and immediately stepped up on the pick of her efforts in that sphere when making a successful chasing debut at Market Rasen in February. She easily defied a BHA mark of 112 despite making a couple of significant errors, steadily drawing clear from three out to land the spoils by 34 lengths. This will be tougher now 9 lb higher in a deeper race, but she remains with potential as a chaser and is fancied to prove equal to the task if ready to go after 10 months on the sidelines.
13:50 Ibleo
IBLEO is improving all the time and produced a career best when filling the runner-up spot for the second start in succession at Cheltenham last month. He ultimately proved no match for the strong-travelling winner Sky Pirate, but the first two pulled well clear of the rest, and Ibleo certainly showed enough to suggest a 3 lb higher mark won’t prove beyond him. He remains open to more improvement, too, and looks to hold leading claims as he attempts to gain the victory his consistency this season has merited.
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14:25 Metier
METIER has quickly developed into a useful hurdler for Harry Fry, winning by 10 lengths on his debut at Newton Abbot in October and then defying a penalty to follow up at Ascot three weeks later. He had plenty in hand on the last occasion, quickening well on the run-in to win by five and a half lengths in a time that compared well with the handicap later on the card. With further progress on the cards, he is fancied to take the step up in grade in his stride to bring up the hat-trick.
15:00 Crosspark
CROSSPARK proved at least as good as ever when second in the London National at this course last month, travelling strongly and responding well under pressure to be beaten less than a length. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be quite so effective back at three miles, but he’s clearly thriving at present and rates arguably the most solid proposition in a race where very few can be ruled out with total confidence.
15:35 Guard Your Dreams
GUARD YOUR DREAMS looked a useful prospect when getting back to winning ways in novice company at Bangor last time, staying on strongly to land the spoils by 10 lengths. He should be suited to this test and is less exposed than most of his rivals after only three starts over hurdles, so there are plenty of reasons to be positive about him now handicapping from a BHA mark of 128.
Timeform’s tips for Sandown on Saturday
12:05 Hudson De Grugy
12:40 Whitehotchillifili
13:15 Destinee Royale
13:50 Ibleo
14:25 Metier
15:00 Crosspark
15:35 Guard Your Dreams
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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