Full Result 3.40 Sandown | 6 December 1997

Mercury FM Novices' Handicap Hurdle Class C

(Class 3) (4yo+) (1m7f216yds) 2m Good To Soft 8 hurdles

1st £4,279.50 2nd £1,296 3rd £633 4th £301.50

Pos. (Draw)	Horse / SP Trainer / Jockey	Jockey Trainer	Age	WGT	OR	TS	RPR	MR
1	2. Balladur (USA) 7/2 A P McCoy Mrs J Pitman	A P McCoy Mrs J Pitman	4	112	107	86	116	–
b g Nureyev (USA) - Ballinderry (Irish River)
Steady headway to lead on bit last, easily

2 4	5. Neat Feat (IRE) 8/1 P Holley David Elsworth	P Holley David Elsworth	6	109	100	75	98	–
b g Rising - Imperial Spur (Pampabird)
Held up, led 2 out until last, unable to quicken

3 2½ [6½]	4. Diego 7/2 Richard Johnson Mark Pitman	Richard Johnson Mark Pitman	4	109	100	–	97	–
b g Belmez (USA) - True Queen I (USA) (Silver Hawk)
Led until 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, one pace

4 1 [7½]	6. Milford Sound I 14/1 Mick Fitzgerald Philip Hobbs	Mick Fitzgerald Philip Hobbs	4	108	99	70	94	–
b g Batshoof - Nafis (USA) (Nodouble)
Chased leader until 2 out, one pace

5 2½ [10]	7. Rythm Rock (IRE) 10/1 Seamus Durack ⁵ D R Gandolfo	Seamus Durack ⁵ D R Gandolfo	8	99 1 b	91	55	84	–
ch g Swan's Rock - Pryhill (Pry)
Always prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last

6 3 [13]	3. Final Stab (IRE) 5/1 Carl Llewellyn Chris Dwyer	Carl Llewellyn Chris Dwyer	4	1010	101	67	90	–
b g Kris - Premier Rose (Sharp Edge)
Held up, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last

7 15 [28]	1. Sofyaan (USA) 11/4F R Dunwoody Lady Herries	R Dunwoody Lady Herries	4	1110	115	66	89	–
b g Silver Hawk (USA) - Tanwi (Vision)
Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened quickly. stewards' told: trainer reported that the gelding was found to be marginally lame on it's near fore