Jump Racing - Friday 15th February

[StuSimmy]

13:20 Sandown Competitive little heat in this Juvenile hurdle race but I fully expect the current favourite Pistol to win the race. This horse has taken fairly well since sent hurdling after not showing much promise in five runs on the flat. He did place in several races last year but was switched to hurdling on just his 6th race where he finished 2nd at Newbury in a class 3 event. He was beaten 2 and a half lengths day but did finish 6 lengths ahead of the 3rd place. The winner of the race has only appeared once since and that was in a grade 1 race at Cheltenham so he's obviously highly regarded despite being well beaten, in my opinion it was definetly too big a step up too soon for the horse but it's one who will probably win at graded level in the future. The 3rd horse in the race has boosted the form well by winning in impressive fashion next time out so there is a bit of form to this race. Pistol himself went on to win next time out in a similar race over the same course and distance, he ran out a 2 and a half length winner that day to Sash Of Honour who reopposes on better terms today, but he did disappoint in his next race so I fancy Pistol to still have the beating of him despite the turn in the weights. I find it interesting that Pistol is dropped down into a class 4 race today despite running in class 3 races in his two hurdling attempts so far and with a handicap mark of 130 to his name now, I do feel he will take all the beating today. The heavy going won't be a problem as that was the ground at Newbury when he won LTO. 5pt win Pistol @ 11/10 (WillHill - BOG)