held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
jumped well, made all, ran on strongly from 2 out, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway and hit 7th, ridden after 4 out, went 4th approaching last, no further impression
held up towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, ridden to challenge for 2nd after 3 out, kept on
mid-division, mistake 4th, dropped rear 6th, never a danger after
chased leaders losing place when mistake 6th, soon tailed off
in touch, hampered 5th, lost place 7th, not a danger after
mid-division, ridden and headway after 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, kept on, not pace of winner from next
tracked winner, jumped right and bumped 1st, jumped right 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders until fell 5th
held up towards rear, slightly hampered 5th, some late progress, never a factor
A really tough one to call. But Andreas has plenty going for him on these terms and is selected ahead of Oneway, Tysou and Dempsey, while the in-form Madison Du Berlais should not be underestimated either. The last named has been found wanting in this company in the past though, so is not one to rely upon too heavily; especially as he has risen steeply in the handicap. Dempsey is a talented individual (when he gets it right) and his form figures do not really do him justice. However, his poor completion rate has to be a worry at this level and others lay out more convincing claims. Tysou is another whose recent profile raises cause for concern. He was ran no sort of race when pulled up (behind Kalca Mome and Bohemian Spirit) at Cheltenham last time out and, as is the case with supporters of Hasty Prince, his supporters are taking a leap of faith that he is in the right frame of mind this afternoon. Oneway has dropped significant hints that he is on the way back with a couple of solid runs behind top-class opponents. He loves this course and will be hard to beat if he maintains his upward curve. However, a chance is taken that Ruby Walsh can coax the best out of Andreas once more. The gelding has the latent ability to force the result his way and, as Ruby's Sandown stats are second to none, this looks a fair opening for the partnership to stand out in this company.
Oneway (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in close touch, headway to chase leading pair 3 out, went 2nd before last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-5) at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Dempsey (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led, hit 5th, blundered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 11-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, led 9th, clear when hit 2 out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan beating Almaydan (11-7) by 4l, 9 ran.
Tysou (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Towards rear, hit 5th, struggling 9th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Kalca Mome (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Andreas (FR) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Kalca Mome (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Kenzo III (9-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Chilling Place (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed after 6th, blundered 9th, led again 11th, ridden when headed 2 out, beaten when fell in race won by Cerium (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Ground Ball (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, close 2nd 4 out, 3rd and driven next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Sweet Kiln (10-11) at Naas 2m 3f hdl hvy in Jan.
Hasty Prince 40-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 35l behind Jazz Messenger (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec.
Jericho III (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Made all at decent pace, hard pressed from 2 out, kept straight flat, all out, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec beating Cossack Dancer (10-4) by a nk, 12 ran.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 7th, drew clear after 2 out, ran on well, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan beating Charlton Kings (10-5) by 18l, 6 ran.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, outpaced 5th, pecked 7th, stayed on to chase leading pair 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Calatagan (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
