March 08 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Good

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qual’) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 3m 0f 37y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
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Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qual’) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 32-215 CD BF

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten fifth at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) in December last time, when bleeding from the nose; however, he was progressive previously and won over this C&D (soft) earlier that month; also effective on good to soft ground (unraced on good); no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Hoe Joly Smoke

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Ran really well in defeat in some strong Cheltenham handicaps (2m4f-3m1f) during the first half of last season and his Kempton effort in February wasn't too shoddy; what needs forgiving is his Ayr run after a wind operation as that was underwhelming; still looks dangerous.

11/8

6th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

He hasn't quite been at the top of his game on his last two starts; however, he's had wind surgery since and is certainly of interest on his two third-place finishes at Cheltenham in the autumn (3m1f/2m4f, good/soft); top trainer has won five of the last eight runnings of this race.

7/2

6th

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Hoe Joly Smoke

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won twice as a novice chaser over 3m at Sandown (soft/good); has been running well in some strong Cheltenham handicaps this season without looking that well handicapped, but returning to a right-handed track might benefit him, as might the first-time cheekpieces; could also have this run to suit if he's held up as usual; effective from 2m4f to 3m1f, he's a big player.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 45-24P CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
10yo who was pulled up at Ascot (3m, good) three weeks ago and needs to bounce back; however, he's back down in grade today and he's just 1lb higher than when winning over C&D (good) last February on his sole previous course visit; ran well at Cheltenham earlier this season; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Java Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Lemos De Souza

Useful, four-time handicap chase winner who scored at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in January on his first hunter chase start; runner-up on next two outings (3m/2m7f, soft/good to soft); this 11yo needs a bigger run today.

33/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Lemos De Souza

Has always been useful; ran in a handicap on debut for this yard and then beat Fil d'Ariane at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); perhaps found soft ground against him when no match for Jeffery's Cross last time and better can be expected.

6/1

2nd

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Lemos De Souza

Successful at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last time on hunter chase debut and second start for new stable, showing he retains plenty of vitality aged 11; this is a weaker race; respected.

11/10

Form: 31-P35 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
9yo who is somewhat mercurial but he's run pretty well in defeat the last twice here (2m7f, heavy; hurdles) and Ascot (3m, good; fences); goes well at Sandown and drops back down in grade today; could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Goshen

10st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

5lb out of the handicap; 9yo whose career has contained plenty of surprises and performing so manfully in 3m handicap chases on good ground at Ascot and this track on his last two starts is arguably one of them; that's nowhere near his old hurdles form but he's been sticking on as if his next reinvention could be as a stayer.

40/1

13th

12

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Goshen

10st 2lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

5lb out of the handicap; 9yo whose career has contained plenty of surprises and performing so manfully in 3m handicap chases on good ground at Ascot and this track on his last two starts is arguably one of them; that's nowhere near his old hurdles form but he's been sticking on as if his next reinvention could be as a stayer.

40/1

3rd

1

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Goshen

11st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

9yo who is somewhat mercurial but he's run pretty well in defeat the last twice here (2m7f, heavy; hurdles) and Ascot (3m, good; fences); goes well at Sandown and drops back down in grade today; could be involved.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: P-2237

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Tailed off/pulled up in tough handicap chases on final two starts last season and he hasn't been at his best over hurdles this term; however, he's not been devoid of spark and chasing seems to be his preferred discipline when he's on song; this 6yo could be on a handy mark and is one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

30

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Excello

10st 2lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

4lb out of the handicap today and his losing sequence is up to 12 races; however, he ran pretty well when outstayed in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) last month and is racing off just 2lb higher than when third of 17 over C&D (good to soft) in the Grand Sefton in November; yard has won this five times and he holds each-way possibilities back down in trip.

25/1

9th

15

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Excello

11st 1lb

J: Mr Henry Main

T: Nicky Henderson

Very close fourth of six at Sandown last March (3m, good; albeit lost three places close home) and good third over the National fences at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) in November; however, tailed off there (3m2f, soft) in December and there's a suspicion he'll again be lacking the necessary stamina.

33/1

Form: 1-3142

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Three wins last year (2m2f-3m1f, heavy-good) and returned to his best with good second over C&D (heavy) last month in reapplied blinkers (retained); 2lb higher than last time and has solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Dreaming Blue

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, prominent 7th

15/2

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Dreaming Blue

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, prominent 7th

15/2

5th

5

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Dreaming Blue

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Three wins last year (2m2f-3m1f, heavy-good) and returned to his best with good second over C&D (heavy) last month in reapplied blinkers (retained); 2lb higher than last time and has solid claims.

5/2

Form: 91-784

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ex Willie Mullins 8yo who has returned from an absence for a new yard this season; took step back in right direction when 5l fourth of six at Musselburgh (extended 2m7f, good to soft) last month on his third start back; needs a bigger run today but that's possible; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:35 Fakenham

Hubrisko

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Formerly with Willie Mullins; five starts for this yard following a long absence, easily the best when beaten 5l over nearly 3m at Musselburgh in February (good to soft); becoming hard to predict, though, and has been tailed off since (latterly tried in cheekpieces; now goes in blinkers).

11/2

5th

2

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:35 Fakenham

Hubrisko

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Formerly with Willie Mullins; five starts for this yard following a long absence, easily the best when beaten 5l over nearly 3m at Musselburgh in February (good to soft); becoming hard to predict, though, and has been tailed off since (latterly tried in cheekpieces; now goes in blinkers).

11/2

5th

2

20th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

15:30 Plumpton

Hubrisko

11st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, headed 3 out

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.20
Straight Forecast £20.38
Trifecta £94.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Hoe Joly Smoke

SPOTLIGHT:

Java Point

The Times:

Goshen

LAMBOURN:

Excello

The Guardian:

Dreaming Blue

POSTDATA:

Hubrisko

The Star:

Excello

Telegraph:

Hoe Joly Smoke

Daily Mail:

Hoe Joly Smoke

Daily Record:

Dreaming Blue

TOPSPEED:

Java Point

D Express:

Java Point

Daily Mirror:

Goshen

The Sun:

Goshen