Keith Melrose assesses a likely favourite who's well in at the weights

1.50 Sandown
My Oddsboost On Betfair Novices' Limited Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Given the nature of Sandown's fences and this race's history of being a competitive novice handicap, the tactics an enterprising jockey might want to try should be obvious.

That is only heightened when it is considered that seven of the 11 runners have no more than one race's worth of experience over fences, and that a precedent is set by the last two winners having made all.

Last year, Dashing Perk went hard and got plenty jumping badly in behind. The year before it was Warthog, the second winner of the 2010s who went on to land a big handicap at Cheltenham (after Johns Spirit). Those who fancy a front-runner hat-trick would most likely be drawn to Morning Vicar.

At Newbury last month, Morning Vicar got a bold ride from Nico de Boinville but jumped sure-footedly, albeit a little big, if we are being hyper-critical, and a little right which is no problem at Sandown. His previous form when splitting Demachine and Young Bull also looks solid.

The question is whether others can improve past him and Funambule Sivola is only the most obvious candidate on that score. The race he won at Wetherby last week was probably not all that strong besides him and the short-priced Exelerator Express – and it showed as Funambule Sivola won the match without coming off the bridle. He carries a 7lb penalty here, although the BHA handicapper has hit him with a 13lb rise, so he's 6lb well in.

There is plenty of promise elsewhere in the field and the market has used the usual method of connections to establish the pecking order. Two with the potential to upset that are Killer Clown and Mister Murchan.

Mister Murchan had nine runs over hurdles, but was improving in the last few and took a leap forward on his chasing debut last time. Given how he jumped, it is easy to see the switch as the reason. The only downside relative to Funambule De Sivola is that he has incurred the full amount of his 12lb rise.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Morning Vicar
He won well at Newbury the other day and it's a similar sort of race. He's gone up a bit in the handicap, but he jumped very well and if he can do that again you'd hope he'd have a good chance.

Nicky Henderson: trainer of Morning VicarCredit: Edward Whitaker

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Flinck
He makes his chasing debut and he's schooled well at home. Everything's gone fine and I hope it goes as well on the racecourse.

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Quartz Du Rheu
He ran a nice race at Uttoxeter last time and we're hoping for a bit of improvement.

Chris Gordon, trainer of Top Man
He's not run for a while as he had a haematoma on a muscle after winning at Fontwell. This is tough but he won nicely there and he's fit and well.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Killer Clown
It looks unbelievably competitive, but he's in great form. It's been a tricky start to his chasing career. He did nothing wrong at Uttoxeter and was unlucky to have his jockey knocked off at the second. He jumped brilliantly at Exeter, travelled into it really well but just didn’t get home. We're dropping him back in trip at a track that should suit, so hopefully he runs a good race.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Funambule Sivola
It's a significantly more competitive race than he had at Wetherby last week. Unfortunately, the handicapper has made it such that he won't be able to run off that mark again in the near future. It's a step up in trip as well, which is a move into the unknown. But he's come out of his last race well and it'll be interesting to see how he gets on in this company.
Reporting by Sam Hendry

Join Members' Club Ultimate and read tipping from the likes of Pricewise and Paul Kealy, all the big interviews and features, daily comment and news analysis - plus our Ultimate Daily newsletter. Click here to sign up