January 31 / 15.42 Sandown

15.42

Soft

Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 3m 0f 42y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 6-U159 D BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
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.
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

10/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 1-6833

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Has done his winning at up to 2m6f; not disgraced over 3m the last twice but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in distance, at least when conditions are testing; strong suspicion he's going to be outstayed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

26

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Hunter Legend

10st 9lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Reserve; Venetia Williams and Lucy Turner combined to win this at 40-1 in 2022 and this fellow was in pretty good heart over 3m this winter; however, today's stiffer test of stamina poses a question and he was soundly beaten at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last time; wears first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

5th

8

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Hunter Legend

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Has posted consistent efforts over 3m of late but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in trip, especially when conditions are testing; yet to win beyond an extended 2m6f.

14/1

2nd

6

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Hunter Legend

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Has done his winning at up to 2m6f; not disgraced over 3m the last twice but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in distance, at least when conditions are testing; strong suspicion he's going to be outstayed.

10/1

Form: 1234-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground, unseated rider in sole attempt on heavy; second-season chaser who justified favouritism at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day for a winning reappearance, taking record in this sphere to 2-7 and overall strike-rate to 5-12; open to further improvement and runs off a low weight in this higher grade; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Fortunate Man

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Began this campaign with 3m1f Aintree handicap win in December (good-to-soft) but hasn't repeated that sort of form in three runs since, including treated for post-race heat stress after Eider Chase fifth; most recently never nearer fourth under top-weight in lesser 3m2f Kelso contest; more needed but not one to rule out.

10/1

4th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Fortunate Man

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Did well last season; kicked off this campaign with a 3l win at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and didn't run badly in valuable races on next two outings, last time in the Eider after which he was treated for post-race heat stress; he was joint-favourite for that and this race isn't as demanding.

2/1

Form: /PPP-5 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Blackjack Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Well treated on old form but his last win was in November 2023 and he's generally struggled since then; has something to prove and all of his wins have come on good to soft or slower.

12/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Blackjack Magic

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran quite well when fifth in valuable final of this veterans' series at Sandown (3m, good) in January but was well beaten there later that month and has become far too inconsistent to support with any confidence; tried in a visor for the first time.

11/2

4th

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Blackjack Magic

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.

14/1

Form: /111-2 C BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
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.
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

OUR TIP

Form: /PP-PP D

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Well suited by soft/heavy ground; landed the 2023 Welsh National off current mark; subsequent form figures (P0PPPP) are dismal but this first run since wind surgery may be the time to bank on a revival and catch him; attractively handicapped, with that in mind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Nassalam

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Pulled up/tailed off on all seven starts since winning the Welsh National for the Moore stable in December 2023; it's tricky to assess what he's capable of nowadays but this race is vastly easier than he's used to and if he retains any spark he'll be tough to beat on this stable debut.

3/1

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Nassalam

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well suited by soft/heavy ground; landed the 2023 Welsh National off current mark; subsequent form figures (P0PPPP) are dismal but this first run since wind surgery may be the time to bank on a revival and catch him; attractively handicapped, with that in mind.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.50
Straight Forecast £32.76
Trifecta £54.60

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Mr Vango

SPOTLIGHT:

Fortunate Man

RP RATINGS:

Fortunate Man

Telegraph:

Fortunate Man

The Guardian:

Fortunate Man

D Express:

Fortunate Man

Daily Mirror:

Fortunate Man

POSTDATA:

Mr Vango

The Times:

Mr Vango

Daily Mail:

Mr Vango

The Sun:

Mr Vango

The Star:

Mr Vango

Daily Record:

Mr Vango