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13:50 Sandown

Saturday 4 January 2025

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Read Nicky Henderson's Weekly Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 4f 10y | 8 Runners | Turf

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Selected odds by:

Unexpected Party^t⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 145

10/1

Enjoyed his finest hour when landing the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Not disgraced when 13¼ lengths last of 4 to Jonbon in Shloer Chase at Cheltenham (15.9f, good to soft) just over 7 weeks ago. Returns to handicap company and looks second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 91P-524

Etalon²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| C

7/2

Rapid improver sent chasing last term, winning first 3 starts before shaping better than bare result in Aintree Grade 1 on final start. Seemingly being brought along gradually this term, finishing a bit closer when fifth of 6 at Cheltenham (16.3f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Not one to rule out yet.

Form: 117-595

Hubrisko^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 134

14/1

Useful hurdler/chaser for Willie Mullins, well served by front-running tactics when landing 6-runner Killarney maiden chase (23f, soft) in August 2023. Friendless in the market and made a low-key return from 15 months off back over hurdles at Newbury 5 weeks ago so others more appealing.

Form: 32291-7

Triple Trade^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127| D

13/2

Successful twice in 2023/24. Good fifth in Red Rum at Aintree final start but is struggling to recapture his best form this term, fourth of 6 at Cheltenham (16.3f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Handicapper relinquishes his grip further and he's fancied to be involved back up in trip.

Form: 585-644

Roccovango^p⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127| D

3/1

Has thrived since joining Olly Murphy and fitted with cheekpieces, resuming his progress after 8 weeks off to make it 4-6 for his present yard (narrow defeats other 2 starts) in 5-runner handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, heavy) just under 6 weeks ago. Nudged up 2 lb and remains of interest.

Form: 21-1121

Jupiter Du Gite^h²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 126| D

13/2

Not straightforward but proved more tractable switched to fences, runner-up on debut prior to going one better at Uttoxeter in March. Returned with solid second at Fontwell and reverted to his free-going ways when third here (24.2f) last month. Back down in trip and has the ability to win more.

Form: 6214-23

Carbon King^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122| D

25/1

Three-time winner over hurdles in Ireland and landed 2 chase victories for this yard last term. Stepped up on reappearance run when fourth at Uttoxeter in November and not disgraced back over fences at Ascot a fortnight ago. His record in class 2 and above is far from convincing, however.

Form: PF1-945

Hunter Legend⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118| D

10/3

Signed off last season by winning heavy-ground Lingfield and Bangor handicaps and back to winning ways in emphatic fashion in 8-runner handicap chase at Leicester (20.1f, soft) last week. 1 lb out of the weights here but is a reliable type who looks sure to go well again.

Form: F11-721

Forecasts

Roccovango (3/1), Hunter Legend (10/3), Etalon (7/2), Triple Trade (13/2), Jupiter Du Gite (13/2), Unexpected Party (10/1), Hubrisko (14/1), Carbon King (25/1)

Plenty in with a squeak but, having been crying out for this return to further, TRIPLE TRADE gets the nod to regain the winning thread from a much-reduced mark at the expense of Hunter Legend, who scored in emphatic fashion at Leicester last week and should remain competitive. Roccovango is 4-6 for his present yard (narrow defeats other 2 starts), so he rounds off the shortlist.