Sandown Saturday

1:05 Bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle 2m

It’s odd to think that the jumps track at Sandown was watered as recently as Thursday, with Friday’s flat fixture lost to waterlogging, and while the going won’t be hock deep for the jump season finale, the hurdles track in particular will be closer to soft than good, and that means that stamina will be at a premium, which is bad news for one or two of the well-handicapped horses in this event.

Joe Dadancer won’t have any issues with stamina given he would have won a Lisronagh point by a wide margin last year but for falling at the last. The lucky winner that day was a horse called Ferns Lock, while distant third Snake Roll was just beaten off a BHA mark of 126 at Perth on Thursday. Joe Dadancer had a wind problem when heavily backed on hurdles debut at Wetherby, and has been brought along since a breathing op with handicaps seemingly in mind, winning his latest start in lowly company at Southwell, but with a deal of ease.

Joe Dadancer was beaten by the very useful Hourvari at Lingfield prior to his win, but was well clear of rivals rated 108 and 116 in third and fourth that day and his opening mark of 118 is lenient on balance. He will be better over fences next season, but the rain is likely to suit given his point run came on soft, while he looks to have been set aside for a prize like this, and makes plenty of appeal.

1:40 Bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 99yrds

It’s very hard finding any angle into the Celebration Chase at the overnight prices, and it’s a no bet race for me as a result.

Jonbon is only just the pick on my reading of the form, and he does have the disadvantage of having done his winning against novices, but he was at his most impressive when winning over course and distance in the Henry VIII, and ought to progress a little further.

Whether that is a positive enough reason to back him at 6/4 or shorter is a stretch, however, and if one of the quintet looked a little overpriced, it’s Captain Guinness, who looked on very good terms with himself when runner-up in the Champion Chase and seems to have found more consistency this season.

That effort is arguably the best recent form on offer, and the fact it came in the best possible company means it should carry a bit more weight that Jonbon’s romp against inferior rivals at Aintree.

2:15 Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase 3m 4f 146yrds

Thursday night’s rain will mean that this race ought to be a more thorough test of stamina than can sometimes be the case, and while that will suit Kitty’s Light, I can’t help but feel that seven days is not long enough for him to have got over a gruelling race in the Scottish Grand National, impressive as he was there.

My vote goes to Coolvalla, who beat the reopposing Revels Hill at Exeter over this trip last month, and is just 2lb worse off, but is somehow three times the price of his more exposed rival.

I can’t get my head around that, and thought Coolvalla had more in hand than the length margin on the day having taken a decisive lead at the penultimate fence. He idled in front, but then rallied when challenged and would surely have won by further if he had something to lead him deeper into the contest.

That won’t be an issue here, and while he looks a thorough stayer vulnerable to a turn of foot, there was enough rain the other night to ensure that stamina should trump tactical speed on the Esher slopes.

The trio who chased Coolvalla and Revels Hill home at Exeter all ran at least respectably in a similar race at Cheltenham last week, marking that pair as ahead of their marks, and while they have been put up 5lb and 3lb respectively, they still look on the right side of the handicapper.

Also worthy of note is Mucho Mas, who is unexposed as a stayer but looked suited by a slog at three miles when winning here last month, and gives the impression he will progress again at this trip.

He’ll need to as he’s 5lb out of the weights, but he’s open to any amount of improvement after just four starts over fences and is high on my shortlist as a result.

The only horse to beat Mucho Mas since his chase debut is Bill Baxter, who was receiving 3lb when getting the better of Ben Pauling’s charge at Lingfield in November, and has won all three completed starts since, defying a mark of 138 in the Topham at Aintree last time.

As well as the exploits of the first two that day, no fewer than five of the beaten horses have won handicaps subsequently, which adds extra gloss to an already promising chasing record.

2:50 Bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) 2m 6f 164yrds

Hewick is the one to beat on paper, but I find it odd that he would swerve two better and more acclaimed prizes to take in a Grade 2 which rarely takes much winning. That can be taken as a positive of course, but the fact that the Shark, of all people, is looking for the easiest option for his star sets alarm bells ringing in my head.

Preference at the prices is for McFabulous who can be forgiven his latest run on firm ground at Newbury, and who can bounce back at an intermediate trip which suits him well.

Winner of the Select Hurdle on this card last year when ridden by Lorcan Williams, I wonder whether his continued association with that rider is due to that historical connection, or whether Harry Cobden has chosen Solo of his own free will.

In my view, McFabulous is a better horse than Solo, who is a little flattered by his latest win in the Pendil at Kempton, and it’s just a question of whether he’s back to his best after pulling up last time.

4:00 Bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 5f 110y

Theatre Glory was below form in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, but did at least beat stablemates Epatante and Marie’s Rock, and she can bounce back here.

She slammed a useful pair in Molly Olly’s Wishes and Indefatigable at Warwick before Cheltenham, and many of Nicky Henderson’s runners at the Festival were below form amidst rumours of sickness in the yard.

Theatre Glory is getting 9lb from Goshen and Knappers Hill, and may have more to fear from Thyme Hill, who will benefit from a return to hurdles after failing to impress with his jumping over fences either side of victory in the Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas.

Joe Dadancer 1:05 Sandown – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (general – SkyBet 6 places)

Coolvalla 2:15 Sandown – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (general – 6 places)

Mucho Mas 2:15 Sandown – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (Bet365, 12/1 general – 6 places)

McFabulous 2:50 Sandown – 1pt win @ 9/1 (general)