Grade Two Select Hurdle Sandown Guide 2023

Nicky Henderson has two here in the form of Theatre Glory and ten-year-old Call Me Lord, who won this race back in 2018, 16 lengths ahead of Lil Rockerfeller. The 145-rated hurdler hasn’t been in the same form since, running in handicaps more often than graded company and on his most recent outing he finished 20th of 26 in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham festival last month, with Langer Dan claiming victory.

Needs to show much more than he did that day if he is to be in with a shout here. Form in handicaps wasn’t too bad before that run but this is tougher.

Thyme Hill makes claims as he returns over hurdles after being sent chasing last year. The nine-year-old managed a couple of wins over fences at Exeter and Kempton in the Kauto Star but disappointed in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham festival last month, finishing a fair way back in eighth.

Over hurdles, he has had graded success on more than one occasion, including Stayers Hurdle at Aintree and the Ballymore at Cheltenham and he is a serious player now back over hurdles. He was second in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham last year to Flooring Porter and if he is back to his best, it would be a surprise to not see him finish well here.

Gary Moore sends the stuttering Goshen to the Select Hurdle, with the seven-year-old struggling for form that replicates how good he was. After landing the Grade Two Coral Hurdle at Ascot in November, he finished second to Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton but has since disappointed on all three starts since the turn of the year including one poor run over fences.

Fifth in the National Spirit behind Knappers Hill further proves he is in poor form, but a better showing is surely on the horizon for the once top hurdler. Can’t see him winning against some in much better form.

Paul Nicholls’ sole runner in the Select Hurdle is seven-year-old Knappers Hill, who arrives here after finishing third in National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell last time out, behind Sceau Royal and Brewin’upastorm. He was fourth in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham behind some top runners but in better company has failed to fire.

Shouldn’t be dismissed here in this type of company but there are others that make more appeal, including Thyme Hill (grade one winning hurdler) and Theatre Glory looks set for a good run. Still, in with a chance of victory. Harry Cobden takes the ride.

Nicky Henderson sends two to the 2m 5f Select Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday, with Call Me Lord and Theatre Glory. The latter has had a good year or so, winning four times over hurdles at Warwick, Kelso, Cheltenham and Warwick again before running at the Cheltenham festival last month.

The six-year-old finished sixth in the Mares’ Hurdle at the festival, which isn’t too bad considering some of the horses she was up against there with the likes of Echoes In Rain, Love Envoi and Honeysuckle finishing ahead of her. She should find it easier at this level and can go well here in the hands of Nico de Boinville, who chooses her rather than Call Me Lord.