Sandown Saturday

1:50 EBF Paddy Power “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final (Grade 3) 2m 3f 173yds

Although the pace was a modest one, I think that the Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle run at Ascot in December was about the strongest novice event run in Britain this season, and I expect the form to keep working out.

Runner-up that day, and unsuited by the slow gallop, was Knappers Hill, and he again looked to be crying out for a stiffer test when staying on late to finish sixth in the Betfair Hurdle last time.

He now gets the chance to show what he can do granted more of a test, and with a mark of 135 looking lenient, he is taken to outclass his rivals in the EBF Final.

Knappers Hill was a high-class bumper horse last season, beating no fewer than eight next-time-out winners when coming from off the pace to land the Grade 2 Weatherby’s-sponsored bumper at Aintree last spring.

He has taken well to hurdles, albeit looking as if he will need a test to be fully effective, and he looks set for a good spring.

It would be no surprise to see him make a big splash in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle next month, although he will have to win this if he’s to justify such ambitions.

2:25 Paddy Power Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 1m 7f 216yds

It’s tempting to side with an old friend in Zambezi Fix here, as his run style lends itself to Sandown, and I would not be at all surprised to see him make the frame again given two excellent runs over the course and distance this season.

That notion is given weight by the existence of extra places here, so he’s certainly worth bearing in mind, for all he’s become very hard to win with.

In terms of likely winners, none make more appeal than Balco Coastal. Hooded when winning his first two starts over hurdles, he showed improvement despite not quite staying the trip when runner-up to North Lodge (beaten a short-head in the Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso last week) in the Grade 2 Classic Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials Day.

He will benefit from the drop to a stiff two miles, remains unbeaten when going right-handed under National Hunt rules, and looks to have been left on a competitive mark by the handicapper.

He’s probably too well treated to get a run at Cheltenham next week, although a 5lb penalty for scoring here would give him carte blanche in that regard.

3:00 British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race (Listed) 1m 7f 216yds

Mullenbeg looked a useful enough sort when winning a listed event at Cheltenham in January, but Milton Harris made it clear afterwards that he considered her inferior to her stablemate Rosie Redrum, and while she must have a chance here, her opening price looks too short considering this looks a fair bit deeper than the Cheltenham event.

Flirtatious Girl didn’t run to her best in that Cheltenham contest, eventually finishing a 12½-length fourth to Mullenbeg, but she looked ill at ease on the course, and she showed when winning this contest last year that she is of similar merit to the favourite.

I can see her finishing much closer, and she is appealing at around 14/1, but one who is even more overpriced given her ability is Maridadi, who returns from a two-year layoff, but is expected to be fit given the nature of this race.

Trainer Hughie Morrison has a proven track record at winning with long-term absentees, with the likes of Marble Arch and Tom Paddington both overcoming long spells on the sidelines to win good races in the past.

Maridadi looked really promising in junior bumpers in 2019/20, and while the horses who excel in such events tend to struggle when trying longer trips, she is not typical of that type, being related to a couple of winners at up to 2m5f, and with plenty of stamina not only in her pedigree, but evident in her runs to date.

She was very strong at the finish when winning at Wetherby in January 2020, and given her breeding, it might be a blessing that she has had time off to strengthen up.

She is still only six, and Morrison excels with this type of mare, so I can’t really understand why she’s available at 40/1.

There is clearly guesswork involved in establishing her current merit, but the very fact that Hughie Morrison aims her at this blacktype prize on her return suggests that he is confident that she retains all her old ability.

3:35 Paddy Power Novices’ Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 4f 10yds

Danny Kirwan looks a poor favourite here, as he seems best when allowed to dictate terms, and doesn’t often find much for pressure.

He’s certainly never lived up to a huge home reputation, and is something of a morning glory, despite being well placed to pick up a race or two over jumps when things have very much fallen his way.

He will again try to make all here, but the presence of Frenchy Du Large and Scene Not Heard will deny him that luxury, and the latter appeals as a progressive chaser who can enhance his excellent winning record in this sphere.

A winner at Hereford, Newcastle and Ludlow before Christmas, Scene Not Heard has been given a break to avoid testing ground, and the drying conditions at Sandown ought to ensure that the going is to his liking.

He jumped like an old hand when winning at Ludlow in December, and if he does so again, he should break Danny Kirwan’s brittle heart.

Recommended

Knappers Hill 1:50 Sandown - 1pt e/w @ 9/2 (general – 5 places)

Balco Coastal 2:25 Sandown – 2pts win @ 7/2 (general)

Maridadi 3:00 Sandown – 1pt e/w @ 33/1 (Hills, SkyBet, Betfred – 4 places)

Scene Not Heard 3:35 Sandown – 1pt win @ 7/2 (Bet365,

10/3 BetVictor, Coral)