EBF Novices' Final: Whisky can take home the Gold medal

The EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown on Saturday might be worth more than one watch if previous evidence is anything to go by, with the race having thrown up plenty of household names over the years. Alberta’s Run is perhaps the best winner of the race in recent times – he emerged victorious in 2007 before going on to record back-to-back wins in the Ryanair Chase (2010 and 2011) – while The Listener, Dynaste, Many Clouds and Whisper all feature amongst those to have come up short in the race before showing top-class form when switched to fences.

Only time will tell whether there is anything of that calibre in this year’s line-up, but there is no reason why it shouldn’t prove a typically competitive renewal at this stage – indeed, 20 of the 25 entries have already won at least once over hurdles, while only three have previously lined up in a handicap.

Admiral Barratry makes the least appeal of that trio – he is more exposed than most after nine starts over hurdles and probably needs to improve to defy his current mark – but Golden Whisky and Trixster both have plenty to recommend them on the back of career-best efforts last-time-out. The former impressed with the way he went through the race when making a winning handicap debut at Ffos Las last time, and he remains potentially well treated from 7 lb higher here, with the prospect of more to come from this full-brother to Topofthegame. Meanwhile, Trixster did well under the circumstances when beaten just half a length at Ascot last time, sticking to his task admirably given how keen he was in the early stages, and this consistent sort (finished first or second in each of his last five starts, including when beating Skandiburg at Kelso in January) looks sure to give another good account despite a 4 lb rise in the weights.

The favourite at the time of writing is the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained One For Rosie, who got back on track with a ready victory at Warwick (by five lengths from Falco Blitz, My Way third) last time, making smooth headway to lead three out and well on top at the finish. A strong-travelling sort, he looks sure to progress further with this big-field scenario expected to suit, though the handicapper has taken no chances by giving him a BHA mark of 138 – the only horse to carry top weight to victory in this race in the last 15 years, Ambion Wood in 2012, did so from a mark of 132.

Nice horse - One For Rosie beat Glen Forsa on hurdles debut and wins again over flights in good style for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies at @WarwickRaces pic.twitter.com/rZvCMftL6s

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 22, 2019

Ambion Wood was trained by Nicky Henderson and he could saddle two runners as he bids for a third victory in this valuable prize, namely Before Midnight and Mill Green. The former didn’t need to improve to get off the mark at Taunton (by a length and a quarter from Smackwater Jack) last time, but he could yet have more to offer when the situation demands it and is not one to dismiss lightly, while similar comments apply to Mill Green. Making his return from seven months off, he found his winning sequence coming to an end when third in his hat-trick bid behind Pistol Whipped and Southern Sam at Fakenham last time, but that still represented a career-best effort under a double penalty, in what was probably an above-average novice for the track. Indeed, the form of that race may have been underestimated by the handicapper, with Mill Green and Southern Sam both leading the way on weight-adjusted ratings here.

Russian Hawk is another to note following his narrow defeat at Ascot last time, when he probably would have won with a better round of jumping; he remains open to more improvement after just three starts over hurdles, but the worry must be whether he is streetwise for a test of this nature (still looked rough around the edges at Ascot). Others with a ‘p’ still attached to their rating – denoting that they remain with potential – include Third Wind and The Some Dance Kind. The former was by no means all out to defy a penalty at Taunton (by two lengths from My Way) last time, while The Some Dance Kid completed his hat-trick under a double penalty in workmanlike fashion at Catterick last time and, a likeable type, he is well worth a try in this more exalted company.

Trained by Fergal O’Brien, who won this race with Barney Dwan in 2016, Champagne Well was not included amongst the 20 horses to have previously won a race over hurdles, despite passing the post first at Ludlow last time; he was subsequently demoted in the stewards’ room, which was almost certainly the right decision given how far he drifted across the track on the run-in (carrying the ‘runner-up’ with him). Having looked well suited by three miles on that occasion, his connections will likely be applauding every drop of rain that falls at Sandown between now and Saturday.

Right call? Second past the post, Redzor is awarded the Marches Vets Maiden Hurdle from hot favourite Champagne Well at @LudlowRaceClub pic.twitter.com/QVrwEJVevn

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 20, 2019

Garrettstown is another who will likely be seen to best effect when the emphasis is on stamina, having closed all the way to the line when chasing home Boldmere at Market Rasen last time, in a steadily-run race where it paid to be handy. Olly Murphy’s charge is fancied to reverse the form on these terms, with more scope for improvement than his rival, too, granted a proper test at the trip. Of the remainder, Hill Sixteen gained his reward for a series of consistent efforts when winning at Carlisle last time, while Doctor Dex has improved to win his last two starts at Wethebry and Doncaster, respectively. He saw out the longer trip well on the latter occasion and largely kept his quirks in check (has shown signs of temperament/carried head awkwardly), though having the rail to race against was probably a help in that.

Conclusion:

This race has a rich history when it comes to identifying stars of the future, but, for the purposes of this article, we are clearly only interested in the here-and-now, and it could pay to focus on those with proven form in the book, rather than those with more long-term potential. The seasoned Trixster has all the tools to thrive in a race of this nature, and looks worth an each-way bet in the hope that he settles better back down in trip, while Golden Whisky is another who it could pay to keep onside; he showed improved form when making a successful handicap bow at Ffos Las and appeals as the sort to climb higher still as he gains in experience (still looked green last time).

Recommended bets:

Back Golden Whisky each-way in Saturday’s EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at 16/1

Back Trixster each-way in Saturday’s EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at 20/1