The Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase is Sandown’s feature on a packed day’s racing on Saturday. We’ve analysed the five-runner field along with an exclusive 888sport sign-up offer of Bet £10 – Get £40 In Free Bets
FUGITIF 12/1
FUGITIF has already become somewhat of a handicap specialist for Richard Hobson in nine starts under rules.
He has competed in only three handicaps over hurdles and fences, but has won all of them, the most recent coming on his third start over fences at Newcastle. However, in open novice events, his record is 0-6.
That does not point to a likely success on his first venture into Grade 1 company, while this will also be his first go at a longer trip than the near-minimum since fifth in an Aintree novice hurdle in November 2020.
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GLADIATEUR ALLEN 14/1
Jane Williams’ six-year-old has raced against both the principles in this lineup, but has failed to register a mark on either as yet.
GLADIATEUR ALLEN won on his chase debut in a minor upset at Exeter against a decent field. That encouraged connections to chance Grade 2 company in the Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot, but he was beaten 30 lengths by Pic D’Orhy when having the unenviable task of conceding him 3lb.
He was still travelling well enough at Cheltenham behind L’Homme Presse when slithering to the ground at the fourth last on New Year’s Day, but the race had not quite heated up and it is difficult to assume he’d have gotten close to the winner. Could prove best of the rest though.
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L’HOMME PRESSE 8/11
Surely the most improved horse of the season, L’HOMME PRESSE has risen 26lb in the handicap without coming out of second gear on his last two starts. There could well be a fair bit more to come.
In hindsight, his handicap success at Exeter in December was workmanlike, but he followed up in deeply impressive fashion at Ascot in a Graduation Chase after that. That was despite jumping consistently out to his left.
He earned a third win in the space of 30 days when winning the Grade 2 Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, but returns to a right-handed track here. That is intriguing given his tendency to correct in the opposite direction at Ascot.
His first step into Grade 1 company is soft by top level standards, but although he is likely the best horse in the race with Cheltenham Festival aspirations, he won’t want to give away too much ground with his otherwise accurate jumping.
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MISTER COFFEY 10/1
Sometimes it is difficult to quite get the measure of a horse’s performance. That is not the case with MISTER COFFEY.
Unless he puts in an unusually poor or great performance, he can be expected to run to a mark of around 140. On his last six starts, all in handicaps, he has achieved an RPR of between 138-144.
It should be said that his bet two efforts by that metric have come on his two chase starts, when beaten by a multiple winner this season in Not Available and then by less than a length at Kempton on Boxing Day.
He could easily break clear of his mark just yet as he has run in competitive races. However, he has not shown the level of form needed to win even a relatively weak Grade 1 as yet.
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PIC D’ORHY 7/4
This season has been far more successful for PIC D’ORHY than last. However, some fallibility remains.
His jumping has generally been much smoother and was exemplary in the Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot. That was his first open Graded success, although it would have been his second but for a fall at Newbury the time before.
He was still travelling much the best when falling four out that day. Harry Cobden asked him on a long stride, but Pic D’Orhy still has a mind of his own. Due to his dominance at Ascot, there was very little reason for Cobden to do anything but sit motionless.
That will not be the case at Sandown, with L’Homme Presse simply too tough a rival. Nevertheless, his ability is obvious and he should be in with an excellent chance if he behaves.
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Verdict
This Grade 1 has often been won by a very useful horse, with Oscar Whisky, Bristol De Mai and Defi Du Seuil all on the honours board. The most likely to replicate them is L’HOMME PRESSE, who may prefer going left-handed, but is a very accurate jumper, who can put the pressure on Pic D’Orhy. Gladiateur Allen is the best of the other three.
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