January 31 / 14.02 Sandown

14.02

Soft

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 1m 7f 99y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: P1-214

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Unraced on heavy ground; novice chaser whose Grade 2 effort last time is perhaps best forgiven (bled from nose); had wind surgery (his second) since; won well at Kempton (2m2f, good) on penultimate start and may still have further progress in him; respected handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Jax Junior

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Finished 18l behind Lulamba in the Arkle but may fare better in this rematch, with the return to further a likely plus; readily bagged Grade 2 honours at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the time before, enhancing his good strike-rate when racing beyond 2m.

9/1

4th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Jax Junior

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Bled from nose when well held behind Steel Ally at Ascot just before Christmas but otherwise he's made a fine start to his chasing career, winning a handicap at Sandown (1m7f, soft) and Grade 2 novice at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) on last two starts; needs a chunk of improvement to trouble the principals but he's straightforward, tactically versatile and a sound jumper.

20/1

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:25 Kempton

Jax Junior

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Bled from the nose at Ascot just before Christmas but otherwise he's made a fine start to his chasing career, winning handicap at Sandown (1m7f, soft) three weeks ago in clearcut style; just as effective at 2m4f and sets the standard for the others to aim at.

4/6

14/1

  • Place: £6.60

Form: 413-U6 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Scored in first-time cheekpieces at Leicester last February; has failed to repeat the form, in retained headgear, since and was well behind Escapeandevade at Haydock most recently; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Classic Maestro

10st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Good second at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in January and ran well before fading into 14 third at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; however, his best form has come on soft/heavy ground and such conditions seem unlikely today.

15/2

3rd

2

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Classic Maestro

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Predictably struggled in Grade 1 Ascot Chase three weeks ago but looked as good as ever when second in good Sandown handicap (1m7f, soft) two starts ago and will be fine over today's trip; good chance.

9/4

11/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 068763 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Runs off a mark 10lb lower than when fifth of 14 in this last year, beaten just over 13l; he's run a couple of reasonable races this season but hasn't shown enough to suggest he's the one to be on today.

33/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Led close home to win this race off 5lb higher a year ago (soft ground) and was seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when third on both outings last month; made up considerable ground from the rear at Sandown (1m7f, soft) on latter occasion and has strong claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

15/8

3rd

9

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

11/2

Form: 222-42 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Consistent since sole chase success and ran well at Exeter most recently; getting virtually no help from the assessor and may struggle to land this prize off current mark but seems likely to give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Denemethy

12st 1lb

J: Mr Harry O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent since sole chase success and has solid handicap form this season; receives hardly any respite from the assessor but gets other help on this occasion, with Harry O'Dwyer taking off 7lb.

11/4

3rd

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Denemethy

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent since sole chase success and has solid handicap form this season; latest effort, in Sandown Class 2, received a boost when the winner followed up in Grade 2 event on Saturday; respected at this level.

6/5

Form: /F3/P4 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Formerly a progressive sort and has Grade 1 form over C&D; however, two runs since returning from long layoff suggest he's not the force of old and unlikely to defy top weight in this warm handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Haddex Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Formerly a progressive sort and has Grade 1 form over C&D; however, two runs since returning from long layoff suggest he's not the force of old and unlikely to defy top weight in this warm handicap.

14/1

4

27th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Haddex Des Obeaux

11st 10lb

T: Nicky Henderson

3rd

3

9th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Haddex Des Obeaux

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gary Moore

Progressive novice chaser last season, winning twice (good/heavy); still held a fighting chance when final-fence faller in Cheltenham handicap on reappearance and could well rate higher still; faces a stiffer assignment upped in class but brings an attractive profile.

14/1

Form: 4-2713 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably, albeit failed to justify favouritism, last time when bidding for a Taunton double (Class 4); maiden over fences previously; still in form but goes into deeper waters upped two grades.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Hypotenus

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Won a novice handicap chase at Taunton (2m, good) for Joe Tickle in January and fair third over same C&D next time; changed yards last month having had a wind op, and was a well-beaten third of three at Chepstow on stable debut (2m, good); hung right there so this track should suit better.

13/2

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

18:37 Chepstow

Hypotenus

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Able to dominate when cashing in a career-low mark at Taunton in January (2m, good), his sole win in 14 chasing starts; hasn't gone on since, but back to within 2lb of that figure now and one previous wind operation provoked a small spike in form; chance on first start for new yard.

11/4

3rd

2

19th Feb 2026

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:26 Huntingdon

Hypotenus

11st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Off the mark at the 11th attempt over fences at Taunton (2m, good) in January, and he's run well on testing ground in the past; below par on his last two starts but drops back in grade today and could give a good account.

5/2

Form: P14-44 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Below-par fourth at Cheltenham in both outings this term; however, has form figures of 1321 at Sandown, most recently winning this race (off current mark on heavy ground) last year; possibilities back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Gunsight Ridge

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mike Sowersby

Smart at his best for Olly Murphy but last season never got off the ground and he's moved yards.

10/1

6th

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Gunsight Ridge

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Had a disappointing season and usually goes well at Sandown where he disappointed last time; has since undergone a fourth wind operation.

7/2

7th

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Gunsight Ridge

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Below-par fourth at Cheltenham in both outings this term; however, has form figures of 1321 at Sandown, most recently winning this race (off current mark on heavy ground) last year; possibilities back here.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 08-529 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Martator

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Martator

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

12/1

Form: 2-2212 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Escapeandevade

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bounced back from an off day at Sandown to win a small-field Newbury event; this is tougher, but he is generally reliable.

14/1

2nd

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Escapeandevade

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form.

5/2

5

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Escapeandevade

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form.

5/1

Form: 2-5552 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground, unraced on heavy; suffering from fifthitis this season until proving resurgent in first-time blinkers over C&D (good) most recently, beating all bar a progressive rival; remains 1lb below last winning mark and looks interesting in the retained blinds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Kotmask

10st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His jumping has been an issue this season and he was soundly beaten at Newbury last time; however, two starts ago he was a close second of four there (2m, good to soft) and he has a good record at this track; might not be far away if finding some fluency.

4/1

3rd

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Kotmask

11st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Almost as good as ever this season and he kept on well when 1l second of four over C&D (good to soft) three weeks ago; a repeat of that form would see him go close, with a tongue-strap added for the first time in Britain, but a losing sequence is developing and he tends to make mistakes.

7/4

2nd

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Kotmask

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Resurgent in first-time blinkers when second to an improver at Sandown in January (good; fine on soft) and fell midrace back there last time; it's surprising to see cheekpieces back on (beaten 10l in December when tried in them once before) but he has a big effort in him off this mark.

8/1

Form: /16-83 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly on left-handed tracks; gained two of his three chase wins at Newbury; ran respectably with cheekpieces added there last time; capable of being involved but has a question mark over the course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Rath Gaul Hill

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Samuel Drinkwater

He's now 5lb lower than when winning at Newbury (2m, soft) last February; however, this season's form has been patchy and today's trip may stretch him; major turnaround needed with blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

7/2

4th

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Rath Gaul Hill

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Returning from an absence when edging home in this 12 months ago off 2lb higher; his penultimate effort (here in first-time cheekpieces) was respectable and it's perhaps best to forget Sandown last time when his best form has been on left-handed tracks; respected.

12/1

10

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Rath Gaul Hill

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Raced mainly on left-handed tracks; gained two of his three chase wins at Newbury; ran respectably with cheekpieces added there last time; capable of being involved but has a question mark over the course.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £146.70
Straight Forecast £98.29
Tricast £687.36
Trifecta £816.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kotmask

RP RATINGS:

Dr T J Eckleburg

LAMBOURN:

Escapeandevade

The Times:

Jax Junior

D Express:

Rath Gaul Hill

The Star:

Classic Maestro

Daily Mail:

Haddex Des Obeaux

The Sun:

Gunsight Ridge

TOPSPEED:

Kotmask

POSTDATA:

Kotmask

Daily Mirror:

Kotmask

The Guardian:

Escapeandevade

Telegraph:

Dr T J Eckleburg

Daily Record:

Dr T J Eckleburg