Knappers Hill can win at Sandown

KNAPPERS Hill can prove class always rises to the top in the European Breeders’ Fund Paddy Power “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown.

Paul Nicholls’ top-weight still has the option of running in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival but taking in this race, which is worth more and has no Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott representative, looks far more sensible.

Nicholls has made no secret of the regard in which he holds Knappers Hill, who won the first five races of his career. His winning run came to an end when taking on Jonbon in a Grade Two at Ascot but there was no disgrace at all in being beaten five and a half lengths into third by one of the favourites for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

That form has been franked by the winner, who defied a penalty in heavy ground at Haydock, and the fourth, Dan Skelton’s mare Elle Est

Belle, who won the Sidney Banks next time out, and the fifth, I Like To Move It, who was beaten a short head in the Betfair Hurdle.

That was where Knappers Hill was last seen, finishing six lengths behind I Like To Move It in sixth. But he will be better suited taking on potential chasers in this event rather than speedy hurdlers at Newbury.

The card is highlighted by the Paddy Power Imperial Cup, which has attracted a maximum field.

Nicky Henderson’s Balco Coastal is the new market leader and while he looks a nice prospect, he lacks experience for a race of this nature and the stiff uphill finish might not be in his favour either. The preference, therefore, is for the more battlehardened Onemorefortheroad.

Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Knappers Hill can triumph at Sandown, says Captain Wessex