Sandown preview (12.40): Polly Peachum poised to strike

David Metcalf | January 2, 2016

Polly Peachum shaped well when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land the 2m 4f Listed mares’ contest on a cracking card at Sandown (12.40).

The Nicky Henderson trained eight-year-old is a very useful sort who has won six of her 14 starts over hurdles and been placed on four other occasions.

Those places include a cracking second of 15 to Glens Melody in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Polly Peachum kept on well to go down by just a head in a driving finish, and that form sets a very high standard in this line-up.

Although turned over at odds-on when a two length runner-up to Morello Royale on return to action at Kempton, Polly Peachum looked in need of the run beforehand.

The daughter of Shantou is sure to strip much fitter for that outing, and off an official rating of 150 has 6lb and upwards in hand on her rivals.

Mullins duo can test Polly Peachum

Morello Royale has a progressive profile and looks sure to go well, whilst the Willie Mullins trained pair of Gitane Du Berlais and Petite Parisienne command plenty of respect.

Of that duo I prefer the chances of Petite Parisienne who had some smart form to her name as a juvenile last season.

The five-year-old ran very well to finish fifth to Peace And Co in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and also posted a solid effort to go dowen by just a head to the highly regarded Bitofapuzzle at Fairyhouse.