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Racecards

15:35 Sandown Park

bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)

  • 6 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 7f 119y
  • Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
  • Surface: Turf
  • £125,000 added
  • Winner: £71,188
  • 2nd: £26,712
  • 3rd: £13,375
  • 4th: £6,662
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 3m 47.65s
  • Off Time: 15:35:11
  • 6 Ran
1
Silk - Red, emerald green Cross Of Lorraine and sleeves

Dodging Bullets

38 t DCD
12/1
  • Form 3111-27
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 166

held up off the pace in 5th, went modest 4th at 7th, plugged on into 3rd run-in, no chance with winner

2
Silk - Red, royal blue stripe, red sleeves, white stars, red cap, white star
12/1
  • Form F-51228
  • Age 10
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 168

tracked leader until after 2nd, 2nd again next, led 5th, not fluent when pressed 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in

3
Silk - Black and Beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, Beige cap
50/1
  • Form 63-3P13
  • Age 6
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 149

held up last, never involved

4
Silk - Red, Royal Blue chevrons, armlets and star on cap
11/10
  • Form 2P2-111
  • Age 10
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 173

tracked leading trio and always going well, went 3rd at 4th, led soon after 3 out, 5 lengths ahead next, stayed on strongly, impressive

5
Silk - Royal blue, pink hoops, armlets and cap
80/1
  • Form 31-P922
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 143

tracked leading pair, 2nd after 2nd until next, not on terms when lost modest 4th 7th, soon beaten

6
Silk - Light blue, orange star, light blue sleeves, orange stars, light blue cap, orange star
5/4
  • Form 11-1F12
  • Age 8
  • Weight 11-7
  • Official Rating 172

not always fluent, led until 5th, pressed when blundered 3 out and dropped to 3rd, went modest 2nd last, no chance with impressive winner

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

Paul Nicholls is responsible for half of the six-strong field but former champion Dodging Bullets was well behind SPRINTER SACRE and Un De Sceaux at Cheltenham and handicappers Solar Impulse and Ulck Du Lin look to be well out of their depth. Nicky Henderson's top chaser was back his brilliant best at The Festival and easily picked off Willie Mullins' hot favourite, who wasn't suited by being taken on for the lead. The latter may get his own way out in front today but could still be a sitting duck in the closing stages. Sire De Grugy won this in 2013 and 2014 but is held by the selection on this season's form.

Formwatch

Dodging Bullets 10-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, closed 4th, not fluent 7th (water), mistake 9th, outpaced after 4 out, well beaten from next, 7th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.

Sire De Grugy (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.

Solar Impulse (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Prominent, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind De Faoithesdream (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.

Sprinter Sacre (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, close 3rd when not fluent 3 out, soon challenging, led before 2 out, clear when untidy last, about 6 lengths ahead flat, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar beating Un De Sceaux (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.

Ulck Du Lin (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 7th, went 2nd 2 out, driven and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.

Un De Sceaux (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Tracked leader, hit 4th, led after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Mar.