'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

Saturday: 3.30 Sandown
Winners Wear Cavani Menswear London National Handicap Chase | 3m5f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

While Revels Hill would have faced a harder assignment were he to have run in the Coral Gold Cup or Welsh National, you would imagine connections were not banking on a field as competitive as this in the London National.

This is a race that has been relatively kind to veterans. Going back to 2015, before which you find some small fields, nine of the 21 horses to cross the line in the first three have been aged ten or over. That goes for four of the seven to finish first, too, including a couple within sight of their teens.

This year, nearly half the field is under eight and only Gwencily Berbas is representing the veterans. Admittedly, the likes of Red Happy (five years old, 26 chase starts) and Almazhar Garde (seven, 18 chase starts) hardly qualify as unexposed, but others do.

In Rem is having his third run over fences, albeit he has not jumped very well on the previous two. Planned Paradise is not always polished either, but is unexposed over the trips he is bred to suit and trainer Neil Mulholland has as strong a record in this race as anyone. Deise Aba has twice won the Masters and was nosed out in this last year while Quick Wave, who has a good record fresh but generally runs in much worse ground, could be the biggest threat of all.

Revels Hill deserves to be favourite, though. He looked one to follow in marathons when sprinting away from the sort of horses he would normally expect to face in this race on his last two starts of last season. His return, when second at Ascot over what is probably an inadequate trip, was no less promising.

Sandown's stiff finish only really bares its teeth in real winter ground, so that is another positive for the favourite. He is unlikely to get a chance to stalk and pounce, though, as there are a couple of regular front runners in Almazhar Garde and One More Fleurie, along with a host of prominent racers to keep them honest.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Eclair sweet

Eclair De Guye was third in this on his reappearance last year and takes the same entry point to his season this time around with connections hopeful of another good showing.

Part-owner Justin Wadham was at Market Rasen on Thursday and is looking forward to being part of a top-class card, but hopes the fog stays away so everyone can enjoy the spectacle.

The husband of Lucy, trainer of Eclair de Guye, said: "We love Sandown as it's a great viewing track but we just hope that conditions allow everyone to see the action. It's not a bad card to be involved in, especially with the likes of Shishkin and Jonbon turning out."

On the chances of Eclair De Guye, who is to be ridden by Harry Cobden for the first time, Wadham added: "He runs well fresh as he showed when third in this race last year and we've a good jockey on board. We think he gets this sort of trip and if he does he should give another good account of himself."

What they say

Venetia Williams, trainer of Quick Wave
She really wants more rain, which we're unlikely to get. Hopefully the longer distance will compensate.

Harry Fry, trainer of Revels Hill
He's bounced out of Ascot, where he hit the line strongly, and ground conditions should be ideal for him. We'd like to think there's plenty more to come from him as a second-season chaser and we're hoping for a big run.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Almazhar Garde
It's a competitive race as it always is but he'll like the ground and if he can nick a place we'd be over the moon.

David Pipe, trainer of Red Happy, Gwencily Berbas and D'Jango
Gwencily Berbas stays the trip well as he won over 3m6f at Exeter last December. If he's back to that sort of form, he should run a good race. D'Jango also stays the trip and has no weight. Red Happy has done very well all year and ran a cracker last Saturday in the Coral Gold Cup.

Neil Mullholland, trainer of Planned Paradise
We're stepping him up in trip after his disappointing run at Market Rasen last time and hopefully it will suit him. We're also putting cheekpieces on him to help him jump straight.

Jane Williams, trainer of In Rem
It's a long way for a novice and will be a test of his jumping but we know he will stay and thought we'd give it a go. There weren't too many races coming up for him and he's really well in himself.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

1.45 Sandown: 'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.20 Sandown: Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

2.55 Sandown: 'If he's back to his best he's the one to beat' - Shishkin returns in Tingle Creek

Fairyhouse: Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

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