April 27 / 16.10 Sandown

16.10

Good

bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £45560
  • 2m 5f 110y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £1.80
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-2231 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 161

Form & Verdict
High-class hurdler, building up an impressive CV (never out of the first three); seemed suited by the step back up to 2m4f when beating Bob Olinger and Langer Dan in a driving finish to the Aintree Hurdle (soft; unraced on good) two weeks ago, drifting left run-in; may not have reached his ceiling just yet and should have no problem with this longer trip; big chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Impaire Et Passe

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Unproven at this trip and reportedly never travelling when pulled up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month; however, he's won at this meeting in each of the last two seasons, landing the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase last April (2m4f, good to soft; Jango Baie third), and he produced a top performance in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park this February; could bounce back with big run for last year's winning trainer Willie Mullins.

7/2

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Impaire Et Passe

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

A fine hurdler whose three Grade 1 wins included the Ballymore at this meeting in 2023; has reached the same standard over fences, winning at the top level at Aintree (about 2m4f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last April, and he was ultimately quite convincing in a tactical race at Gowran (about 2m3f, heavy) last month; his form doesn't yet match that of stablemate Fact To File but he is considered for a place.

7/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 6P9013 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Back to form with a vengeance to win the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) in March for the second year running, and then showed a jolt of improvement to finish a close third to Impaire Et Passe in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, soft; rallied after being intimidated by winner) four weeks later; likely to be in the thick of things once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Langer Dan

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in last, weakened after 3 out, detached when mistake 2 out

6/1

5th

5

17th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Langer Dan

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in last, weakened after 3 out, detached when mistake 2 out

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: P-F101 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Won Champion Bumper in 2021 and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle in 2022; has not progressed quite so well as expected, and his wins this season have come when odds-on for conditions races (tailed off in Stayers' in between); that said, today's trip could be ideal (3m seems to stretch him); unraced on good ground or firmer; carries some risks but dangerous if on a going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Sir Gerhard

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: W P Mullins

Former top-notcher who has understandably lost some of his old zip at the age of ten, but didn't run too badly in a Grade 3 last time and cheekpieces are fitted for his first handicap of any description; can't be ruled out.

14/1

6th

3

20th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Sir Gerhard

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: W P Mullins

Former top-notcher who has understandably lost some of his old zip at the age of ten, but didn't run too badly in a Grade 3 last time and cheekpieces are fitted for his first handicap of any description; can't be ruled out.

14/1

3

15th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:55 Gowran Park

Sir Gerhard

11st 5lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Former dual Grade 1 winner whose wins also include a beginners chase here; good bit below best in two runs at Punchestown this season, dropping away tamely last time; hard to be confident in now.

7/2

Form: 12-115

Last run: 126 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Progressive overall profile and was a rare 4yo winner of the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot (2m3f, good) in November; respectable fifth in the 3m Long Walk there four weeks later, fading over that much longer trip; today's intermediate distance should be ideal and he arrives fresh after a break; something to find on the figures but may well post another personal best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Blueking DOroux

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful 2m4f novice chaser but he won a substandard edition of the Rising Stars at Wincanton and his close second at Kempton (with cheekpieces fitted) last time was achieved in a handicap; faces a stiffer task at this level in the retained headgear.

25/1

2nd

2

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Blueking DOroux

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Won two Grade 2 hurdles; still learning his trade over fences, safe enough apart from one blunder when winning at Wincanton (2m4f, good), albeit he made a meal of beating a lower-rated rival; out of depth in Grade 1 here since but he's 10lb lower than his hurdle mark now handicapping and still has potential; cheekpieces on; yard has won two of the last three runnings.

9/2

2nd

5

18th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

16:55 Newton Abbot

Blueking DOroux

10st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Smart staying hurdling who looked as good as ever when ending last season with Grade 2 win from the front at Sandown (2m5f, good); will be very hard to beat on these terms if he jumps adequately on his chasing debut.

1/5

Form: -1661P

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Has improved again this season, winning Grade 2s under Caoilin Quinn at Wetherby (3m, soft) in November and Haydock (3m, heavy) in February; handles good ground too, but he was beaten a long way out in the Liverpool Hurdle just two weeks ago and needs to be perked up by a change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Botox Has

11st 13lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

10yo who's not the force of old; down the weights and this race is a drop in class, but he needs to improve on this season's form nevertheless.

12/1

3rd

2

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Botox Has

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

2-2 here, including when gamely holding Brewin'upastorm in the 2022 edition of this race; also won Grade 2 Rendlesham at Haydock (about 3m, heavy) in February 2024 but hasn't matched that form subsequently and was tailed off in a Windsor handicap (3m, soft) last month.

10/1

12th

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Botox Has

12st 0lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained the last of his Grade 2 wins almost two years ago; generally below that form since, most recently returned to handicap level; doesn't look set to end the losing spell.

14/1

Form: 05-160 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Won this race as a 5yo in 2018 but isn't the force of old and a small-field handicap win at Hereford in December does not look strong form; well beaten at Cheltenham ten days ago and hard to fancy today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Call Me Lord

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, mistake 4 out, weakened from 2 out

40/1

6th

7

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Call Me Lord

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent, mistake 4 out, weakened from 2 out

40/1

12th

2

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Call Me Lord

11st 13lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Nicky Henderson

midfield, outpaced 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last

20/1

Form: -21332

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Consistent over hurdles and he enhanced a fine record at the Cheltenham Festival when second of 21 to Langer Dan in the Coral Cup (2m5f, soft) last month; meets that rival on 10lb better terms here and arrives here fresher, having missed Aintree; should not be inconvenienced by the drying ground; might be the answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 40y

16:50 Listowel

Ballyadam

10st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Good quality NH performer, including when good fourth in BetMGM Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham; took the runner-up spot in a Ballinrobe maiden (1m5f, good to yielding) last time when 7l behind the winner; must carry top weight for Flat handicap debut but big chance.

11/4

2nd

1

(1)

8th May 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 183y

19:52 Ballinrobe

Ballyadam

10st 7lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Henry De Bromhead

High-class NH performer, most recently good fourth in BetMGM Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham; two previous Flat runs were on the Dundalk AW, notably previous month when 2l third of 10 over 1m4f; ground no problem, not sure the tight track will suit.

13/2

4th

2

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Ballyadam

11st 11lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Henry De Bromhead

Fifth in two editions of the County Hurdle here before his second and third in the last two runnings of this race, which is quite something; has a 1lb higher mark than last year; well held in his only hurdle race this term but placed in Flat maidens either side, and has to be in place calculations.

18/1

OUR TIP

Form: 8-2321

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Has been a fine stable servant over the years and a Grade 2 win at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft/heavy) four weeks ago was his tenth rules success in all; handles any ground and likely to give it his best shot once more, but this looks a much more competitive event.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Brewinupastorm

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Veteran who finds winning hard these days but on last two starts he held his own in Grade 2s at Fontwell and Fairyhouse, races he had won previously; retains plenty of enthusiasm and can go well back in a handicap.

11/2

4th

6

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

15:50 Fairyhouse

Brewinupastorm

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won this race two years ago and returns on the back of finishing second in the Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell, a race he'd won twice before; however, he's well into the veteran stage and looks vulnerable.

25/1

2nd

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 1

14:50 Fontwell

Brewinupastorm

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

13yo who has a fine record in this race, his three appearances yielding two wins (2021 and 2023) and a head second to Botox Has in 2022; also bagged a Fairyhouse Grade 2 (2m4f, soft to heavy) in the spring of 2024; not so good these days, however, and he was beaten 13l in a Taunton handicap (2m3f, good to soft) last month.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.00
Straight Forecast £6.51
Tricast £18.99
Trifecta £25.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Impaire Et Passe

WEST COUNTRY:

Blueking d'Oroux

The Times:

Sir Gerhard

Daily Mail:

Langer Dan

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballyadam

TOPSPEED:

Impaire Et Passe

POSTDATA:

Impaire Et Passe

Telegraph:

Impaire Et Passe

The Guardian:

Impaire Et Passe

The Sun:

Impaire Et Passe

Daily Record:

Impaire Et Passe

The Star:

Blueking d'Oroux

D Express:

Sir Gerhard

Daily Mirror:

Langer Dan