Baloo Backed For Chandler Glory Paul Nicholls will aim his exciting novice chaser Hoo La Baloo at the rearranged Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Sandown on Saturday.The flamboyant five-year-old would be the youngest ever winner of the race if he were to go on and claim the prize and has been the subject of sustained support with all the major bookmakers since his participation was confirmed.With the race originally scheduled to be run at left-handed Cheltenham, Nicholls had nominated Albuhera as his stable's prime candidate, but the switch to Sandown saw the trainer enter the leading novice as he prefers a right-handed track.After discussing the options with the owners of both horses Nicholls, who has had stable stalwarts Azertyuiop and Flagship Uberalles both beaten under welter burdens in the contest in recent years, has decided to let Hoo La Baloo carry his hopes.As a five-year-old Hoo La Baloo will be in receipt of a handy weight allowance and Nicholls will hope that Call Equiname's victory when the race was last run at Sandown in 1999 will act as on omen.'Hoo La Baloo will be our only runner in the Victor Chandler,' Nicholls told Teletext.'Albuhera will run in the novice chase (Scilly Isles) instead this weekend.'The horse has been backed from an opening show of 10-1 into 6-1 and Neil Wilkins of sponsor's Victor Chandler said: 'Paul Nicholls declared four runners at the five-day entry stage, but has since made it clear that he will only have one runner in Hoo La Baloo.'As a five-year-old he receives some attractive allowances and we have laid the horse to people who are not known for throwing their money away in the ante-post market.'? PA Sport
