April 26 / 13.50 Sandown

13.50

Good

bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 4f 10y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.10
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 213316 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

6th

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Mark Of Gold

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Experienced hurdler who won Grade 2 novice on chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and made it 2-4 over fences in warm little handicap at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time; ran well behind two of these in Grade 2 at Kempton in February but likely to be vulnerable in this company.

40/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 24P711 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
New stable for last two starts and he won them both, from the front in small-field handicaps over an extended 2m6f at Leicester (good to soft) and Stratford (good); hit a new high last time, doing it comfortably off 3lb lower than today, and he's on a roll but this race is much more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Mahons Glory

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Broadly consistent in handicaps for current yard and ran respectably in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f) most recently; made all, despite jumping left, at Huntingdon (2m4f; also on good to soft) the time before; this is a harder task.

16/1

6th

19

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Mahons Glory

10st 7lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

10yo who has a career-high mark following easy win in a small field at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft); however, he enjoyed himself in front in the Grand Sefton (2m5f, good to soft; fourth) and the Becher (3m2f, soft; fifth) over these fences earlier in the season and can make another bold bid.

16/1

1st

2

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Mahons Glory

11st 13lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Consistent form for current yard includes a couple of creditable efforts over the National fences at Aintree; beaten favourite in veterans' event at Market Rasen (2m5f) most recently but fared best of the rest behind the easy winner; solid claims.

11/4

12/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 2-2353

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Has raced only on softer than good; 2m3f hurdle winner in France in May 2023; minor honours in six of seven British starts, the exception when he bled here on penultimate outing; rallying third of 14 under Tom Broughton at Aintree (2m) latest and may now be worth this second attempt at about 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 1

14:55 Wetherby

Inedit Star

10st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Yet to win in seven chase attempts and most of his form is on slow ground, yet it was good to soft when third in the Red Rum at Aintree in April (2m) and good when beaten only 2l at Sandown later that month (2m4f); every chance off this mark if he's on the ball after his break.

10/1

2nd

4

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 85y

Class 1

14:55 Wetherby

Inedit Star

10st 11lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Yet to win in seven chase attempts and most of his form is on slow ground, yet it was good to soft when third in the Red Rum at Aintree in April (2m) and good when beaten only 2l at Sandown later that month (2m4f); every chance off this mark if he's on the ball after his break.

10/1

3rd

7

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Inedit Star

10st 13lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Has raced only on softer than good; 2m3f hurdle winner in France in May 2023; minor honours in six of seven British starts, the exception when he bled here on penultimate outing; rallying third of 14 under Tom Broughton at Aintree (2m) latest and may now be worth this second attempt at about 2m4f.

12/1

Form: 1F1122 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive for new yard this season, winning three times and better form when runner-up on last two outings; his last six have been at about 2m6f-3m and it's also a while since he raced on good ground; also edging up the weights but he still looks a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

Eyed

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

His chase form has been mixed this season but he faced a tough task from out of the handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (pulled up); runner-up at Kempton (2m5f) in November on last hurdle start and he was second over fences at this meeting 12 months ago (3m); might not be a forlorn hope today.

25/1

22

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Eyed

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Hughie Morrison

9yo who was progressive last season, winning three times (2m5f/3m, good/good to soft); he didn't run badly when fifth at Ascot (3m, soft) in January last time but is 9lb out of the handicap today, so faces a tough task.

66/1

5th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Eyed

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Hughie Morrison

Form dipped last time but otherwise a consistent sort and may rebound; however, looks considerably more exposed than some of these rivals and possibly has nothing in hand off current mark.

14/1

9/1

Form: 32F11P D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 6yo, somewhat frustrating in Britain before the blinkers went on for last four starts and he won twice over an extended 2m4f at Kempton (good ground the first time); pulled up over the big fences at Aintree on latest, which can probably be forgiven and he's still on a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Bad

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicap chaser at up to 2m5f, albeit quirky and having saved his winning in this sphere for Kempton; admittedly right up to best in Ascot contest on penultimate start; last two efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring but he comes with some risk, especially in such a competitive field.

20/1

3rd

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Bad

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but talented and his win in this last year was the first of three victories at this track (2m2f-2m4f); he's close to a career-high mark, off which he went close last month at Ascot (2m5f, soft) despite looking disinterested early doors; a danger to all.

9/4

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Bad

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wasn't going from some way out when favourite behind Etalon here last time but he'd previously won comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good) and run creditably in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where the hill proved too much; still relatively young; 5lb better off with Etalon and could turn the tables.

5/1

14/1

Form: -F220P D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Six seconds and one win, from 13 races; one of the seconds was over hurdles on this card (good) last year and he showed his best form with two more on soft ground over fences this winter; major downturn at the big Cheltenham and Ayr meetings on last two starts, however, which sees headgear enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Pic Roc

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Soundly beaten when just 17-2 at last year's Festival (2m4f); finally opened his chase account in November, before staying-on fifth in major handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) where he was badly hindered at the unsatisfactory start; 13l win at Sandown (3m, soft; made most) on latest outing confirmed he's got his act together, which earned a 7lb rise but he needs respect.

16/1

1st

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Pic Roc

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Opened his chase account on reappearance, then did well to finish fifth in major handicap at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) having badly hindered at the unsatisfactory start; lost chance with bad mistake four out when beaten favourite at Ascot since; remains of interest, assuming he puts in an error-free round.

9/2

1st

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 3

13:48 Huntingdon

Pic Roc

11st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Has the best hurdles form in this field and his good efforts (twice runner-up) over fences last season were even better; however, he was below form in first-time cheekpieces on penultimate outing and failed to complete on starts either side, the latest 11 days ago; that dents his case today (in returning cheekpieces) but he is the standout on form.

10/11

Form: 444511 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Surged back to form, in fact never better, for wins over the extended 2m4f at Ayr (good to soft) and Cheltenham (good) five days later; came from off the pace in both and scored with rather more authority than the margin suggests last time, so he remains one to be seriously interested in (raised another 3lb) going for a hat-trick in space of just over two weeks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Riskintheground

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good ground is the key to him; his form had nosedived but he was running much better when hampered late on at the Cheltenham Festival and then came good at Haydock (2m4f, good), prevailing only narrowly but under a confident ride in a strong race (he also won it the season before when staged at Cheltenham); a 4lb rise seems very generous.

11/8

1st

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Riskintheground

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won this race 12 months ago at Cheltenham when 1lb higher so he's dangerously handicapped for his defence; his form had nosedived after winning in a small field at Newton Abbot in October but the signs were more encouraging last time in the 2m4f Plate at the Festival as he was staying on when hampered by a faller at the last fence; has to be of interest, especially given the yard's form.

4/1

11th

13

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Riskintheground

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

He's run some of his better races at Cheltenham, including a New course win (about 2m4f, good; off this mark) from O'Moore Park last April; not much going for him on his form since beating three rivals at Newton Abbot in October but some sort of revival isn't beyond the imagination.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: -23318 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Two disappointing runs before he resumed improvement with an emphatic win at Musselburgh (2m4f) in February, for which he's 7lb higher today; not disgraced when 25-1 in mid-division at the Cheltenham Festival (near 2m5f, also on good to soft) and good ground should be fine; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Insurrection

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Back to his winning trip over fences after failing to defy some serious stamina doubts over the 3m2f of the Kim Muir; he's none too consistent and looked a hard ride at Musselburgh the run before (2m4f), but he's realistically handicapped if he can travel kinder in the new cheekpieces.

100/30

18th

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Insurrection

11st 7lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Paul Nicholls

Impressive at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) last February and back to form when third there (2m4f, good to soft) in January; however, this inconsistent 9yo was well beaten at Musselburgh last month and this is a big step into the unknown in terms of stamina (albeit that he did win a 3m point).

33/1

8th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Insurrection

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Inconsistent but he's run really well on both visits here, winning comfortably over C&D (good to soft) at this meeting 12 months ago and doing well to finish third over C&D (good to soft) on reappearance having made a bad blunder three out; effective on soft ground earlier in career; big chance.

3/1

Form: 429221 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Classic Anthem

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.

3/1

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Classic Anthem

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.

3/1

1st

7

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Classic Anthem

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Has a win, two seconds and a third from just six outings at Sandown; ran close to his best when runner-up over C&D in February, keeping on from the rear; solid claims once more.

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £123.80
Straight Forecast £142.38
Tricast £1587.94
Trifecta £881.60

Selections

The Times:

Classic Anthem

Telegraph:

Riskintheground

POSTDATA:

Bad

SPOTLIGHT:

Eyed

The Star:

Insurrection

WEST COUNTRY:

Pic Roc

TOPSPEED:

Inedit Star

RP RATINGS:

Mahons Glory

Daily Mirror:

Bad

Daily Mail:

Classic Anthem

The Sun:

Classic Anthem

Daily Record:

Classic Anthem

LAMBOURN:

Eyed

The Guardian:

Riskintheground

D Express:

Riskintheground