'This is the right race' - Longsdon bullish about talented Scene Not Herd

Paddy Power Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

This race will never reach the level it held when it was part of the Cheltenham Festival, but to criticise it for being a de facto 0-135 this year would miss the point by daylight. Five of the six runners would go off favourite for just about any other race involving horses of a similar standard and it will almost certainly become a formline to follow, like a few other Saturday novice handicap chases around this time of year.

With that said there is potentially a standout candidate. It is possible that Scene Not Herd is the most natural novice chaser to have gone over fences this season. He is a relatively small horse, especially considering his background is in pointing, but he makes up for it with the sort of jumping technique that human 110m hurdlers would look upon enviously.

Scene Not Herd has won all three chases to date, on his last two runs beating horses who were on a hat-trick and eight-timer respectively. He has not run since December and that provides the only slight concern. It is possible connections have even bigger days in mind this spring. They won the Red Rum with Bentelimar in 2018 and Scene Not Herd would be just as exciting a prospect.

There is a temptation to bundle up Danny Kirwan and Killer Kane, who both belatedly came good last time. However, it is more significant their wins last time came in completely different circumstances. Danny Kirwan sprinted home at Wincanton in January, quickening by almost two seconds per furlong from the top of the straight. It showed his engine, but that has never been the issue. This son of Scorpion has not always looked the most straightforward.

The struggle had looked more physical with Killer Kane. The tongue-tie fitted at Kempton last time worked wonders, as all of a sudden he was able to win a strongly run three-mile contest. Instinct would have it that this will provide a notably different test, although winning off a relatively slow finish is generally good practice for chases at Sandown.

Dorking Lad and Frenchy Du Large are both interesting in their own right, but would be second favourites against any of the three discussed above if those horses were to keep on the progressive path. Flic Ou Voyou, a stablemate of Danny Kirwan, has not run since December and is generally kept away from the mud so may just be getting started for a spring and summer campaign.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'This has been his spring target'

Only six runners have been declared for a £50,000 race, but the market suggests it’s still a highly competitive affair.

Nonetheless, the eye is instantly drawn to the Charlie Longsdon-trained top weight Scene Not Herd, whose jumping has been sensational in three wins this season at Hereford, Newcastle and Ludlow.

He's no one-dimensional front-runner, but can set the fractions if necessary and his jumping could provide a splendid sight down Sandown's famous back straight when those Railway fences arrive in such quick succession.

Scene Not Herd didn't touch a twig when slamming Minella Trump by three lengths off a 5lb lower mark at Ludlow in December, and has been given a good break since with this race firmly in mind.

Longsdon, whose stable is in fine form, said: "I'd like to hope Scene Not Herd will jump great round Sandown.

"It's the right race for him – and particularly as only six have been declared. He's stepping up in class, but this has always been his spring target. It's a £50,000 race and everything looks perfect for him."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Flic Ou Voyou and Danny Kirwan
Flic Ou Voyou needs to brush up his jumping and I wouldn't want too much rain for him. Danny Kirwan likes good ground and must have a nice chance off 132.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Frenchy Du Large
He was a bit hesitant in his early races. Over this two and a half miles he could do with as much rain as the heavens can find. He's one that had a bit of a dirty nose early on and I can't be certain he's shed every element of that but you have to take your chance and we won this race last year with Farinet. He might find himself on the back foot a bit on this ground over this trip.

Gary Moore: saddles Dorking Lad in this novice handicap chaseCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Gary Moore, trainer of Dorking Lad
The race has cut up badly and he's not without a chance. He's won his last two at Wincanton and Huntingdon. I suppose the concern is whether this will come too soon after Huntingdon. He seems in good form at home but you can't always tell until you run them.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Killer Kane
He was quite impressive last time out at Kempton and we definitely haven't seen the best of him yet. Granted a good, clear round he'll be pretty handy.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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