Top Novices On Show At Sandown Darkness, who lowered the colours of Iris´s Gift a month ago, bids to further enhance his growing reputation over fences at Sandown Park on Boxing Day. The six-year-old inflicted the first defeat over the bigger obstacles on the Jonjo O´Neill-trained grey this season with a 13-length verdict at Newbury. He followed it up with a smooth eight-length success over Zabenz at Cheltenham earlier this month. Now Charlie Egerton´s charge goes for the hat-trick in the Stan James Feltham Novices´ Chase. A field of six was declared for the Grade One contest over an extended three miles, including Zabenz. The latter´s trainer, Philip Hobbs, is hoping Darkness has an off-day at Sandown. He said: 'He´s got what he wants - good ground and three miles but the opposition looks a bit strong. 'Darkness beat him last time but you never know, Darkness may run below form which he will need to if we are going to win, but we will see how we go.' Nicky Henderson saddles French import Crozan, impressive winner on his British debut at Cheltenham six weeks ago. He currently heads the market for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at 6-1 with Darkness also prominent in the betting at around 8-1. Evan Williams sends State Of Play on a hat-trick mission after wins at Chepstow and Plumpton while Tom George runs Idle Talk, who made a successful chasing debut at Worcester eight weeks ago. The line-up is completed by Howard Johnson´s Bewleys Berry. He won on his fencing bow at Wetherby and was not disgraced when beaten a length and a quarter by Exotic Dancer at Cheltenham earlier this month.(C) PA Sport
