Sandown Park 13 February 2025

Official Going:

Chase course: Good to Soft (Soft in places)

Hurdles course: Soft (Heavy in places)

Below are the leading contenders by Timeform ratings and flags, plus highlighted prospects from the Timeform symbols (p for improvement potential, + for better than rated, ? for unreliable form, WS wind surgery note, etc.).

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 13:20 RIGHT OF THE LINE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP HURDLE (Class 4) – 1m 7f 216y

Pace Forecast: Weak (tactical race likely)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Casa Loupi – 129 (Rob Hargreaves)

 Jackpot D’Ainay – 128p (Lewis Stones) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

 Soigneux Bell – 127 (Caoilin Quinn)

Key Insight: Jackpot D’Ainay is marked with the ‘p’ flag, indicating potential for improvement. The weak pace could suit a prominent racer like Casa Loupi, but Jackpot D’Ainay may be well-handicapped and progressive.

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 13:55 BOXXE ‘UBIQUE’ HANDICAP CHASE (Class 3) – 1m 7f 99y

Pace Forecast: Very Weak (potential sprint finish)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Issam – 140 (Callum Pritchard) – Timeform Flag: Uplift (well-treated in weights)

 Xcitations – 139 (Paul O’Brien)

 Mount Tempest – 138 (Harry Skelton)

 Hypotenus – 137+ (Taylor Fisher) – Timeform Flag: ‘+’ (may be better than rated)

Key Insight: Issam gets a notable Uplift flag (well-treated) and is the top-rated, but Hypotenus carries the valuable ‘+’ symbol, suggesting he may be underestimated by current ratings. The weak pace may suit a tactical ride from the front.

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 14:30 JANE SEYMOUR MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE (Grade 2) – 2m 3f 173y

Pace Forecast: Weak (tactical contest)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Hollygrove Cha Cha – 136p (Gavin Sheehan) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

 Holloway Queen – 133p (Nico de Boinville) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

 Blue Las – 131p (Dylan Johnston) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

Key Insight: The market should revolve around the trio of Hollygrove Cha Cha, Holloway Queen, and Blue Las, all flagged for improvement with the ‘p’ symbol, indicating significant potential. Hollygrove Cha Cha shades favouritism on ratings.

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 15:05 ROYAL ARTILLERY GOLD CUP (Chase for Military Amateur Jockeys) (Class 3) – 3m 37y

Pace Forecast: Very Weak (stamina test with tactical riding)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Frenchy Du Large – 137 (WS) (Sgt Nick Oliver) – Wind Surgery (WS) – Potential improvement

 Farceur Du Large – 135 (Maj Will Kellard)

 Roccovango – 129 (Miss Brodie Hampson)

 Fil D’Ariane – 121+ (Capt Douglas White) – Timeform Flag: ‘+’ (may be better than rated)

Key Insight: Frenchy Du Large is intriguing with a WS (wind surgery), which can spark improvement. Fil D’Ariane has the ‘+’ flag, suggesting scope beyond his current mark.

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 15:40 NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES’ HURDLE (Class 3) – 1m 7f 216y

Pace Forecast: Very Weak (may suit a prominent runner)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Le Tiep’s Sacre – 136p (Niall Houlihan) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

 Lawrenny – 134p (Jonjo O’Neill Jr.) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

 Tradecraft – 109p (Nico de Boinville) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

Key Insight: A race brimming with potential, with the top three flagged for improvement. Le Tiep’s Sacre stands out on ratings and with a ‘p’.

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 16:12 ALANBROOKE HANDICAP CHASE (Class 3) – 2m 4f 10y

Pace Forecast: Weak (tactical mid-distance chase)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Happy And Fine – 138 (Kielan Woods)

 Es Perfecto – 137 (Tom Bellamy)

 Heros – 136 (Ned Fox)

 Jupiter Du Gite – 134 (Freddie Mitchell)

 Mylesfromwicklow – 133+ (Harry Skelton) – Timeform Flag: ‘+’ (may be better than rated)

Key Insight: Mylesfromwicklow is flagged with a ‘+’, suggesting upside from his rating. The weak pace may favour front-runners like Happy And Fine.

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 16:45 NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (Class 4) – 2m 3f 173y

Pace Forecast: Very Weak (likely slow early fractions)

Top Timeform Rated:

 Tom Doniphon – 127p (Micheal Nolan) – Timeform Flag: ‘p’ (improvement likely)

 Lightningupourdays – 126 (Jonathan Burke)

 King Califet – 125 (Harry Cobden)

 Taita Hills – 121+ (Freddie Mitchell) – Timeform Flag: ‘+’ (may be better than rated)

Key Insight: Tom Doniphon is the standout with a ‘p’ for potential improvement, while Taita Hills has the ‘+’ indicating scope for better than current ratings.

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 Key Timeform Highlighted Contenders Across the Card:

13:20: Jackpot D’Ainay (128p) – Strong potential in an open handicap.

13:55: Hypotenus (137+) – Underrated with a likely weak-pace sprint.

14:30: Hollygrove Cha Cha (136p) – Best in a tight Grade 2 mares’ novice.

15:05: Frenchy Du Large (137, WS) – Wind surgery could unlock improvement.

15:40: Le Tiep’s Sacre (136p) – Strongest of a promising novice hurdle trio.

16:12: Mylesfromwicklow (133+) – Could surpass current rating in tactical chase.

16:45: Tom Doniphon (127p) – Leading improver in novice handicap hurdle.