Timeform Daily: The Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 2), Sandown

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 05 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Five go to post for this strong novice chase, get the Timeform verdict here.

A race with a prestigious history, having been won in the past by the likes of Impek, Thisthatandtother, Racing Demon and Fair Along. A field of five going to post for this year's renewal.

Free World created a good impression when winning an eight-runner maiden at Sandown on his chasing debut when beating Gauvain eight lengths, who went on to boost the form when winning at Lingfield next time out. He jumped with plenty of enthusiasm that day under a front-running ride from A.P. McCoy and was in control from four out. He heads the ratings and looks likely to improve and win more races over fences.

Alan King's Araldur has shown fairly useful form in two starts for his present connections, winning a handicap at Chepstow and a novice at Warwick two weeks later, on both occasions beating weak-finishing rivals. There's still room for improvement in his jumping however, but the fact he stays two-and-a-quarter miles could be an asset with stamina likely to be at a premium on testing ground conditions.

Cheating Chance from the Andrew Turnell yard has shown more improvement back over fences on both starts this season, winning a well-run handicap at Stratford on the first occasion before continuing on an upward curve when successful in a novice chase at Ascot on his latest start, jumping and travelling fluently before being sent on at the last and kept up to his work late on. He too is open to further progress.

Astarador landed the odds on his chasing debut at Carlisle in October and put in an improved effort there next time when chasing home Crocodiles Rock, although there is a suspicion he was flattered by his proximity to the idling winner.

Evan Williams's Chrysander won three novice chases prior to being let down jumping at Cheltenham last time. He usually races prominently.