Doukarov out to maintain superiority as trio renew rivalry in handicap chase

Tuesday: 2.55 Sandown
Wolsey Handicap Chase | 1m7½f | 5yo+ | RTV

Forecast favourite Douglas Talking's omission from the race blows it wide open and the 2m½f handicap chase at Newbury won by The Russian Doyen in February might be the formline to focus on now.

Doukarov (second), Another Crick (fourth) and Katpoli (pulled up) renew their rivalry 16 days on and the former seems to be in the best place.

He was the outsider of the three in the betting but had nine and a half lengths in hand over Another Crick. Yet he meets that rival, who is two years older and should in theory be open to less improvement, on identical terms.

Katpoli is the best treated of the three based on his form two seasons ago but has well-being concerns.

The Richard Newland-trained runner bled from the nose at Newbury after shaping okay in a pair of winter handicaps following a 430-day absence.

Having been rated 137 at the start of the season, there are races to be won off a mark of 123 and the seven-year-old is not one to give up on.

It would be unfair to analyse a Sandown handicap chase involving Darebin and not mention his name. The popular veteran is at home around the Esher track and his record over the course and distance reads 141523341824.

His three victories have come off marks of 118, 119 and 109, and he is handicapped to go well off 110.

If he bounces back to the form of his second to One True King in December off 3lb higher, which could happen with the ground drying out, he has a big chance for Gary Moore.

Six-year-old Galop De Chasse was a winner at Ludlow on his penultimate start but followed up with a disappointing effort at Huntingdon 12 days ago. Question marks can now be asked but it is still early days for the youngest horse in the race.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Richard Newland, trainer of Katpoli
He seems in good form but didn't run at all well last time. He hit a fair few fences then and was bleeding through the nose afterwards, but we feel he's 100 per cent now. It's a leap in the dark.

Sean Curran, trainer of Doukarov
He's a tricky horse to place as he only just gets two miles but hopefully he'll run his usual consistent race and goes there with an each-way chance.

Gary Moore, trainer of Darebin
The fact that Douglas Talking has come out is a plus as he struggled behind him last time. He's down in the handicap and I'm sure he'll run his usual race.

Evan Williams, trainer of Sabbathical
He's had a great season over hurdles and we're trying something different by sending him back over fences. He's a fun horse and if he can get some prize-money we'll be delighted.
Reporting by David Milnes

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