13:50 Sandown

Saturday 26 April 2025

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 5m 5.18s

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Selected odds by:

Mark Of Gold²³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 144| D

11/1

Prolific hurdler who made perfect start in this sphere when landing Ascot Grade 2 just before Christmas (shade fortunate). Third in Graded events next 2 outings before resuming winning ways on handicap bow at Exeter. Outclassed in Grade 1 at Aintree since but this more suitable.

Form: 213316

Insurrection^t⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141| D

15/2

Dual winner over hurdles and better form switched to fences this season, winning at Musselburgh in February. Not disgraced when mid-field in Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham Festival since and will find this less competitive.

Form: 1-23318

Bad^b²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| D

20/1

Proved rather frustrating prior to his ready breakthrough success over fences at Kempton in February. Struck again off 9 lb higher mark over the same C&D last month but ran poorly in the Topham at Aintree since.

Form: 32F11P

Riskintheground^t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

8/1

Goes well this time of year and was a big improver with 4 handicap wins between May and September last season. Had been shaping well before resuming winning ways in good style at Ayr. Defied a 10 lb rise the following week at Cheltenham 10 days ago and remains of interest off 2 lb higher.

Form: 444511

Mahons Glory²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 137| D

14/1

Ended his time with Patrick Neville out of sorts but, having been picked up very cheaply, proved at least as good as ever when scoring at Leicester, seemingly revitalised by a return to front running/chasing. Backed that up with a similar performance at Stratford but this more competitive.

Form: 24P711

Pic Roc^p1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 135

12/1

Useful winning hurdler who failed to complete on chase debut on return but bettered hurdles form when second in novice handicaps at Exeter and Newbury. Easy to forgive next run at the Cheltenham Festival but was let down by jumping at Ayr 2 weeks ago. Headgear now applied.

Form: 2-F220P

Inedit Star²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 129

10/1

Dual bumper/hurdles winner in France. Yet to score over fences for this yard but some good efforts in defeat, including when third in the Red Rum under this rider at Aintree last time. Respected back up in trip.

Form: 22-2353

Eyed^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 125| BF| D

10/3

Fair hurdler/chaser for Paul Webber and much improved since joining this yard, winning for the third time this season at Kempton in February. Excellent runner-up efforts next 2 starts and remains of interest.

Form: 1F1122

Classic Anthem⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: J R Boyle| OR: 123| CD

2/1

Expensive point recruit who tasted success over hurdles here and has taken well to the larger obstacles this term, off the mark with a career best over C&D 7 weeks ago. Needs considering up 5 lb.

Form: 429221

Forecasts

Classic Anthem (2/1), Eyed (10/3), Insurrection (15/2), Riskintheground (8/1), Inedit Star (10/1), Mark Of Gold (11/1), Pic Roc (12/1), Mahons Glory (14/1), Bad (20/1)

Plenty to consider with the vote going to CLASSIC ANTHEM, who was a ready winner over C&D 7 weeks ago. The thriving Riskintheground is the obvious threat as he bids for his third win in as many weeks, with the likeable Eyed also feared.