Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Sandown Betfair Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 1m7½f, 4yo+) horse racing event.
L'Eau du Sud stormed through his debut season over fences, winning his first two starts in style. In his inaugural race, he led from start to finish, triumphing by 10 lengths, and then extended his dominance with an 11-length victory in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (Grade 2). With such commanding performances, it's no wonder he's the favourite here, with odds of 4/7 on bet365 for the win.
Down Memory Lane is set for his first outing on British soil. He wrapped up his hurdles career with a third-place finish in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle last December, trailing by 45 lengths. He kicked off this season with a Beginners Chase at Navan, where he led from start to finish, outpacing his stablemate and favourite King Of Kingsfield by 7 lengths.
Born in France, Rubaud spent two full seasons competing in hurdle races before making a successful transition to fences. His shift proved fruitful, as he claimed victory in both a listed race and the Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) at Wincanton, despite facing just two rivals. This event will pose a more formidable challenge for him.
The five-year-old Touch Me Not spent the first half of the season in the stables, then eased into action with four hurdle races, clinching victory in his last outing. Adapting well to fences, he finished a close second in his first chase at Punchestown and then comfortably secured victory in the Craddockstown Novice Chase (Grade 2). He's yet to fully showcase his potential.
Soul Icon ventured into fences last year but hasn't managed a win yet, which is why he qualifies for this race. In his past five starts, he’s finished second, narrowly beaten on three occasions by a neck and twice by a length, making for a series of frustrating results. Improvement in his record here seems unlikely.
Jordans began this season with a second-place finish in the Strings & Things Rated Novice Chase at Listowel. He then had two outings at Punchestown, like Touch Me Not. He claimed victory in a Novice Chase the first time but failed to finish in the rematch with Touch Me Not after unseating Danny Mullins early in the race.
