December 07 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Good To Soft

Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 3m 4f 146y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: /313P- BF

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 8yo; absent since pulled up in the Scottish National when the ground possibly wasn't deep enough; now goes in tongue-tie; outstanding in the Devon National at Exeter (3m6f, heavy; won by 60l) in February and has major claims on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Mr Vango

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Usually goes well in the mud; last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National and he rallied to go very close against Twig in the 3m2f Becher over these fences on first outing this term; while there was so much to admire to that point, he's cracked with alarming speed in 3m and 4m1f races on his last two outings.

66/1

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Mr Vango

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Hugely the class act in this field and last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National; rallied to go very close in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f) on first outing this season; he wasn't going almost immediately once headed (fairly early stage) last time, which is a nagging worry despite that race being over just 3m; soft or heavy ground is ideal but there's no doubting his strength in stamina and that factor is key.

7/1

1

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Mr Vango

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Needs soft/heavy ground; grand stayer who completed a notable hat-trick (3m1f-4m2f) last term, culminating in Midlands National win; went very close in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f) in sole outing this season, showing further progress on the figures; the weather has interrupted plans since; respected, with a slog at the trip on the cards.

13/8

10/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: P74-15

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Took well to first-time blinkers at Uttoxeter (3m) in May but the headgear didn't have the same effect at Newbury (well beaten) last month; brings mixed messages in the retained blinds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Collectors Item

10st 13lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won the Somerset National over an extended 3m2f at Wincanton in January 2025 and second in the Welsh National Trial at Chepstow in December this term; he also showed last season that he stays 3m4f but there have been too many disappointing shows in major long-distance handicaps for him to be greatly fancied for this one.

50/1

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Collectors Item

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has a National in the bag already having captured the Somerset version over an extended 3m2f at Wincanton 14 months ago (good to soft; fine on softer), and best run since was his second in the Welsh National Trial in December; however, his form has dipped markedly on his last two starts, and his two runs over extreme distances have ended in disappointment.

20/1

4th

2

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Collectors Item

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has contested some competitive staying chases since winning the Somerset National over 3m3f here last January and found only one too good in the Welsh National Trial in December; offered little when only 11-1 for the real thing over Christmas but capable of bouncing back from that; hasn't shone on heavy ground previously but he's effective on soft.

5/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 63-281 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Responded well to new trip in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) three weeks ago and may have more to offer over marathon distances; has won on soft ground; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

16/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: F832U- C

Last run: 225 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
0-8 over fences and has failed to complete four times; no issues on the stamina front (stays 3m6f) but he faces a difficult task at this level and comes with risk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Conkwell Legend

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-8 over fences and has failed to complete four times; no issues on the stamina front (stays 3m6f) but he faces a difficult task at this level and comes with risk.

16/1

3rd

10

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Conkwell Legend

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-8 over fences and has failed to complete four times; no issues on the stamina front (stays 3m6f) but he faces a difficult task at this level and comes with risk.

16/1

2

26th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Conkwell Legend

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-7 over fences; again he travelled well for a long way last time at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) but ultimately came up shy behind a 6l winner with only one other completing; others might just see this out stronger.

13/2

Form: 41119-

Last run: 231 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Ayr (3m) on Scottish National day when bidding for four-timer; progressive novice chaser otherwise last term and remains of interest, being a low-mileage 7yo who could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Montgomery

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Low-mileage 8yo who is 3-6 over fences and was a highly commendable fifth in Sandown's London National (3m4f, soft) before a puzzling effort when only 6-4 at Haydock; strong contender on that penultimate effort.

3/1

5th

4

30th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

14:55 Wincanton

Montgomery

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Low-mileage 8yo who is 3-6 over fences and was a highly commendable fifth in Sandown's London National (3m4f, soft) before a puzzling effort when only 6-4 at Haydock; strong contender on that penultimate effort.

3/1

3

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 4f 97y

Class 2

15:10 Haydock

Montgomery

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Lightly raced 7yo who won his first three chase starts earlier this year (2m6f/3m, soft/heavy) and he reappeared with a fair fifth at Sandown (3m4f, soft) this month; could improve for that latest outing and he's one of two for a trainer with a fine record in this race; likely player.

7/4

16/1

Form: 22PU4- C

Last run: 229 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old and his losing spell goes back to 3m success here in February 2022; best efforts last season in Class 4; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

17th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:20 Southwell

Dr Kananga

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Ben Clarke

Three chase wins, the latest at Sandown in February 2022 (3m, soft); creditable 14l third to a subsequent winner in a veterans' chase at Doncaster last time (3m, good); contender.

11/4

3rd

5

2nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

14:00 Doncaster

Dr Kananga

11st 4lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Ben Clarke

led, headed 13th, not fluent and dropped to last 5 out, rallied and went third after 3 out, soon no extra

8/1

10

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Dr Kananga

10st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Ben Clarke

Not the force of old and his losing spell goes back to February 2022; pulled up in this race last year but runner-up on next two starts (3m2f/3m1f) and his front-running sixth in the 3m4f London National at Sandown eight weeks ago wasn't a bad reappearance; stamina not proven.

9/1

Form: 12123O D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
In front when running out three from home in cross-country race at Cheltenham last month; otherwise a productive and consistent sort over hurdles/fences; each-way possibilities, even off top weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

6th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Tommie Beau

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Seamus Mullins

He's won here three times and was second in this race in 2024 on his last Plumpton visit; on a reduced mark but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive on his last few starts and needs to turn things around in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: P34-21 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in veterans' event (3m, good) last month, taking Sandown form figures to 173241; respectable third in this race last year (heavy); solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 1131-4

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who could resume his progress with Carlisle reappearance (2m4f Listed) under his belt, provided he stays this new trip; all wins at about 3m (unraced over further).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

32

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Top Of The Bill

10st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

One of several who are now in the veteran stage but also in the form of their lives; 7l winner at Haydock (extended 3m1f) in November and returned there with an excellent, rallying second in the Grand National Trial (extended 3m4f, again good to soft) in February; ridden last three starts by Toby McCain-Mitchell; back up 2lb and an interesting prospect for 4m2f but this is a much stronger race.

50/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who posted a career-best performance with comfortable win here (extended 3m1f, good to soft) in November, and he's also won on soft ground; not written off after just one below-par run but he was well held in the Tommy Whittle here in December and has to leave that effort miles behind.

25/1

1st

1

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Took very well to fences last season, winning three times over 3m (good to soft-soft), but returned with two disappointing runs in the autumn; needs to get back on track and will have something to prove if the ground stays good (unraced on anything quicker than good to soft).

11/2

Form: PU21P- C

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery (his second) since last run; scored over 3m4f at Taunton (soft) in March and was still going well (4l down, disputing third) when falling two out in this contest last year; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Broken Halo

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Had wind surgery (his second) since last run; scored over 3m4f at Taunton (soft) in March and was still going well (4l down, disputing third) when falling two out in this contest last year; shortlisted.

7/1

Non-runners

Ballygrifincottage

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £110.90
Straight Forecast £68.84
Tricast £280.35
Trifecta £430.10

Selections

The Guardian:

Montgomery

SPOTLIGHT:

Mr Vango

The Times:

Broken Halo

POSTDATA:

Unanswered Prayers

RP RATINGS:

Mr Vango

TOPSPEED:

Mr Vango

Telegraph:

Mr Vango

D Express:

Montgomery

Daily Mirror:

Montgomery

The Sun:

Montgomery

Daily Record:

Montgomery

Daily Mail:

Broken Halo

The Star:

Broken Halo