GB - Sandown Park - Race 2

Thoroughbred

19 Runners

16f

Handicap Hurdle

Turf

Good (Good to Firm in places)

137.5K

VIEW

Verdict

WAY OF STARS is an interesting contender towards the foot of the weights, with this opening hurdle mark potentially very workable based on his Flat ability. Minella Yoga, Wilstar and Chris Gordon pair Kocktail Bleu and Cosmic Connection head the many possible dangers in a cracking novice handicap.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
18	Useful on Flat for Andrew Balding and going the right way over hurdles for new connections, making it third time lucky at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month. That Flat ability provides the hope for better now handicapping. Gets the vote. 1st Pick 18 Way Of Stars (Ire) Jockey: Jack Tudor Trainer: David Pipe J: Jack Tudor T: David Pipe	100	-	-	-	10%
Analysis Useful on Flat for Andrew Balding and going the right way over hurdles for new connections, making it third time lucky at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month. That Flat ability provides the hope for better now handicapping. Gets the vote.
5	Sold for £360,000 after making a winning debut in academy hurdle at Fairyhouse and has won 2 of his 4 outings for Paul Nicholls since. This strong traveller jumps well and appeals as one who will cope well with the demands of a big-field handicap. The stable won this in 2019 and 2022. 2nd Pick 5 Minella Yoga (Ire) Jockey: Harry Cobden Trainer: Paul Nicholls J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls	92	-	-	-	39%
Analysis Sold for £360,000 after making a winning debut in academy hurdle at Fairyhouse and has won 2 of his 4 outings for Paul Nicholls since. This strong traveller jumps well and appeals as one who will cope well with the demands of a big-field handicap. The stable won this in 2019 and 2022.
3	Bumper winner and it's really clicked with him over hurdles in recent months, landing Southwell maiden (soft) and Warwick novice (good to soft) over 2m. Should be more to come in handicaps and seemingly preferred by Sean Bowen to yard's other runner. 3rd Pick 3 Wilstar (Ire) Jockey: Sean Bowen Trainer: Olly Murphy J: Sean Bowen T: Olly Murphy	94	-	-	-	7%	Scratched
Analysis Bumper winner and it's really clicked with him over hurdles in recent months, landing Southwell maiden (soft) and Warwick novice (good to soft) over 2m. Should be more to come in handicaps and seemingly preferred by Sean Bowen to yard's other runner.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.