January 07 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Soft

Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
View Course
Unibet New And Improved Bet Builder Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

Form: 222-53 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
French hurdle winner who was much improved in novice chases last season, including on soft; has an 11lb lower mark over hurdles and came nearer to exploiting it when third of 12 at Wetherby on latest outing; needs better than that but not entirely dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Hardy Du Seuil

11st 10lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over hurdles in November and has done well on his belated return to fences, following a near-miss at Carlisle with a creditable third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February; still looks feasibly treated and he was a dual chase winner (2m/2m4f) in his youth; dangerous back up in trip.

15/2

3rd

2

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Hardy Du Seuil

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over hurdles in November and has done well on his belated return to fences, following his fourth at Haydock with a near miss at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); Isabelle Ryder again claims her 5lb and this 9yo is up 3lb in future.

9/2

2nd

4

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Hardy Du Seuil

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over hurdles at Windsor (2m, good to soft) in November and respectable fourth at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month on first chase start since March 2024; has run well on both visits here; might not be far away.

7/2

11/2

Form: 1144- D

Last run: 315 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won his only French race and ran away with a Kempton juvenile event (2m, soft) last Christmas on British debut; has not lived up to that performance and looking headstrong has been an issue, but he staged a major rally when fourth back at Kempton in February when last seen; returns from "a little fracture" and that latest run seemed to point to longer trips but this will be quite a slog and he should have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

9th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Iceo

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, stumbled 1st, broke down and pulled up quickly 5 out, fatally injured

9/2

3rd

1

21st Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

13:05 Newton Abbot

Iceo

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, jumped well, led, faced challenge 3 out, soon headed, no extra when lost second after 2 out, weakened before last, eased run-in

8/11

1st

1

2nd Oct 2023

Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

14:15 Newton Abbot

Iceo

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

made all, took keen hold, 8 lengths ahead 3rd, good jump 7th, reduced lead 8th, faced challenge but going best 3 out, not fluent 2 out, shaken up and went clear approaching last, easily

11/10

Form: 1-12 BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Won his sole French start (2m1f hurdle, heavy) and very easily in a handicap at Exeter (2m2f, good to soft; 15lb higher today) in November on first run for Venetia Williams; 1-3 but turned over in a four-runner handicap at Haydock (2m3f, soft) ten days later, having rather pulled himself into the lead; he's not criticised too harshly for that and remains of major interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Djelo

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty.

9/4

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Djelo

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty.

9/4

6th

2

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Djelo

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Always behind and well beaten in the Ryanair but may benefit from this step back up in distance, having been well suited by 2m7f in the Denman Chase at Newbury (one of two soft-ground Grade 2 wins this term) the time before; largely progressive prior to latest start and unexposed over staying trips.

20/1

Form: 2118-2 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
2m winner last season at Ludlow (soft) and Taunton (good to soft) in his second and third starts over hurdles; tended to hang when good second of six in handicap at Leicester (good to soft) on return; needs to have come on since that run but he's not dismissed.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 0/74-1 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Rejoined Harry Fry when back from 532 days off to win six-runner race at Kempton (2m, soft) in November; did it smoothly, so needs a close look despite going back up 6lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

11th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Lightly Squeeze

11st 6lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

9yo with seven wins to his name, most recently under Ben Bromley at Kempton (2m, soft) in November; however, he was well held behind three of today's rivals over C&D in January and this is an even tougher assignment.

33/1

5th

2

7th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Lightly Squeeze

11st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

prominent, not fluent 3rd, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened

3/1

1st

1

21st Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Kempton

Lightly Squeeze

11st 11lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Harry Fry

Returning from lengthy absence and having first run since rejoining Harry Fry; useful on his day and has two pieces of notable Grade 3 handicap form (off 7lb higher); heed the market signals.

5/1

Form: P/7/0- CD

Last run: 559 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won twice in small fields over C&D in the mud early in 2020; very disappointing in his few runs afterwards for Nicky Henderson (last seen in a Flat race in July 2021) and although at least one of his owners keeps the faith, there's clearly a fair amount to be proved on this return for a new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

7th Jan 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Palladium

10st 12lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Polly Gundry

took keen hold, led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened

20/1

14/1

Form: 32142-

Last run: 266 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly at 2m7f-3m2f last term and it was a highly fruitful campaign, including four wins; this reappearance is over just 2m, however, and ground worse than good to soft would be a major worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:47 Lingfield

Imphal

11st 8lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Paddy Butler

towards rear

33/1

6

18th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:47 Lingfield

Imphal

11st 8lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Paddy Butler

towards rear

33/1

10th

7

(3)

27th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

17:05 Lingfield (AW)

Imphal

10st 4lb

J: Miss Megan Trainor

T: Paddy Butler

His Flat four-timer in 2017 culminated in a success over C&D; won four times over hurdles in 2021/22, but his efforts under both codes since the start of last year, including three outings for this yard, don't suggest the veteran will be winning this.

50/1

Form: 5P6-P1 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Spent most of his jumps career with Charles Byrnes in Ireland; dropped to a seller for his win at Taunton one month ago when first showing something (at third attempt) for Gordon Elliott, after which he was sold for £12,500; scored readily and the cheekpieces (worn first time that day) are retained but this handicap demands a lot more of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

4

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

14:25 Wincanton

Poseidon

11st 12lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

Well beaten on first two starts for David Pipe and was just a respectable sixth at Newbury (2m4f, good) last month; continues to slip down the weights but has more to prove than several of these.

20/1

6th

4

4th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

14:10 Newbury

Poseidon

11st 10lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

Won Taunton seller on final start for Gordon Elliott but out of his depth in 2m handicaps for new yard and has some stamina queries on form at about this trip nearly two years ago; reservations for now; tongue-tie added.

40/1

6th

2

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 2

15:30 Taunton

Poseidon

11st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Easily won a C&D seller (good) in December on final run for Gordon Elliott and it was a competitive handicap at Sandown (2m, soft) in which he was tailed off on last month's stable debut; back on better ground but it's hard to be overly confident after last time.

11/1

Form: 6100-9 D

Last run: 254 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Right out of form in his last three Irish chases but showed plenty of ability back on Flat; handicapped up to his best on this first run since leaving Henry de Bromhead for £18,000 in October; no tongue-tie for first time since 2019; others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

12th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:52 Ffos Las

Tiger Voice

10st 9lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland but has plummeted down the weights and been very disappointing for new stable this year; sports refitted tongue-tie and cheekpieces today; needs to stop the rot.

40/1

13th

1

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:40 Taunton

Tiger Voice

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser in Ireland but plummeted down the weights and was very disappointing for new stable in first half of this year; needs to have been revitalised by six-month break.

16/1

5th

3

22nd May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Tiger Voice

11st 5lb

J: Robert Williams

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Formerly useful for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland but in poor form over fences/hurdles for new stable this year; needs to stop the rot.

25/1

Form: /23/6- D

Last run: 555 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won well at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) but no joy since; has run only once (soundly beaten in July 2021) over hurdles in the last nearly two and a half years; very lightly raced of late on the Flat too, and although plenty of ability remained when last seen last May for Joseph O'Brien, he does not appear the percentage call for new yard just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

2nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 2

14:40 Cartmel

Band Of Outlaws

10st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

in touch with leaders

12/1

3

20th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Band Of Outlaws

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Beat one rival in first four starts for this stable but was still sent off favourite at Hexham two weeks ago; didn't look very keen in finishing seventh there and cheekpieces now replaced by first-time visor; nothing like the force of old but trainer in blazing form, which counts.

6/1

7th

1

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

20:40 Hexham

Band Of Outlaws

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Ben Haslam

Useful at his best in Ireland for Joseph O'Brien but has beaten just one rival in four outings for current yard; carries obvious risks but his mark is in freefall and he's not one to give up on just yet.

12/1

Form: 116-F6 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy ground in France and on soft at Newbury last March on British debut; early faller on reappearance; never-dangerous sixth of nine at Ascot (good to soft) next time and clearly needs improvement as that was his best form, but the performance contained promise and he needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

In The Air

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won five over hurdles for previous yards and three over fences last term for current trainer; may have needed the run when seventh of eight finishers at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month after six-month layoff but probably needs to come down the weights.

6/1

7th

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

In The Air

11st 10lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Alastair Ralph

Five-time hurdle winner who did well over fences in the second half of last year, with three wins and two seconds; returns after six months off but he's only 2lb higher than for his last success and he has won when fresh in the past; needs close look back over hurdles.

8/1

6

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 3

14:10 Chepstow

In The Air

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Record of 2-8 over fences, with both wins gained this summer in small-field handicaps on good ground; put in his place by an improver in a novice last time; dangerous if allowed to dominate (front runs).

7/4

Non-runners

In The Air

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £16.03
Tricast £29.40

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Iceo

RP Ratings:

Lightly Squeeze

D Express:

Djelo

SPOTLIGHT:

In The Air

LAMBOURN:

Hardy Du Seuil

TOPSPEED:

Imphal

Daily Record:

Djelo

The Times:

Iceo

Telegraph:

Iceo

The Guardian:

Iceo

Daily Mail:

Iceo

Daily Mirror:

Iceo

The Star:

Iceo

POSTDATA:

Lightly Squeeze

The Sun:

Lightly Squeeze