December 03 / 12.00 Sandown

12.00

Soft

Brian Giles Memorial “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7804.5
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Brian Giles Memorial “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

8/15 (Won)

  • Win: £1.34
  • Place: £1.02

Form: 2145-1 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good fifth, faring best of the British runners, in last season's Champion Bumper; impressively justified favouritism in maiden hurdle at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) on reappearance; should cope with this drop back in distance and looks well up to defying a 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

11th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

20:05 Warwick

Authorised Speed

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful hurdler; fell on two of his three chasing attempts last season and comes with obvious risk here but proved his wellbeing when placed in competitive handicap hurdle at Sandown (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago and has the raw ability to be very dangerous if all goes to plan.

5/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
115,000euros 3yo; first foal; dam well beaten 12.5f only start, half-sister to 2m3f-3m2f hurdle/useful chase winner Full Back, out of French 2m2f hurdle/chase winner; trainer has won this race six times in the last decade; interesting newcomer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:50 Huntingdon

Immortal

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

raced in second, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 7th

5/2

8th

8

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Immortal

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Beaten at 5-2, 10-11 and 13-8 on his three starts, and no match for the first two when third on last month's handicap debut here (2m3f, soft); however, he's in top hands and things may click in a big way at some point.

3/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 37P-3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled when an outsider in the Champion Bumper, eventually pulled up; fared better back down in class at Lingfield (2m, soft; finished third) on the switch to hurdles; again has place possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Godot

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Andy Irvine

Didn't run badly when fifth of seven here (2m5f, good to soft; usual headgear removed) 12 days ago and has become well handicapped but this season has been largely disappointing and he's not yet proven over this far.

16/1

5th

1

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Godot

12st 0lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Andy Irvine

Three-time winner but arrives here in no sort of form and the new blinkers (replacing usual cheekpieces) did nothing for him two weeks ago; now goes in no headgear; risky.

12/1

5th

1

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Godot

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Andy Irvine

Always tended to be all or nothing but has often run well on soft; risks involved now, having been pulled up on his last two starts, but he's capable of popping up, switched from cheekpieces to first-time blinkers under in-form Rian Corcoran.

8/1

Form: P-5

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish point in May; has plenty to find on his two rules efforts (2m/2m5f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:25 Uttoxeter

Arctic Lodge

10st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Bits of form but beaten a minimum of 29l in his three handicaps (penultimate one was over fences) despite starting at single-figure odds.

10/1

5

26th May 2024

Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:25 Uttoxeter

Arctic Lodge

10st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: D J Jeffreys

Bits of form but beaten a minimum of 29l in his three handicaps (penultimate one was over fences) despite starting at single-figure odds.

10/1

10th

15

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Arctic Lodge

10st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: D J Jeffreys

in touch with leaders, weakened before 2 out

9/1

Form: 9-5

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in Warwick bumper and Ludlow novice hurdle; fitting of tongue-tie needs to make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Silver Atom

10st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

1-26 under all codes, the win gained off a basement Flat mark just under a year ago; well beaten over hurdles, fences and on the Flat in recent months, and difficult to enthuse over at present.

20/1

6th

6

(9)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Silver Atom

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Comfortably held over fences the last twice; sole win came under this code but he achieved little in sole Flat run this year.

10/1

12

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:25 Worcester

Silver Atom

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Won on the Flat at Bath last September; in the frame in four of his handicaps over hurdles in November-April last term but less encouraging recently and always behind on chasing debut at Market Rasen (2m3f, good; 28-1) ten days ago; best watched.

20/1

Form: 3260

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; not disgraced in bumpers; however, suffered a heavy defeat in novice hurdle at Hereford (2m3f, soft) last week and needs to leave that effort well behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:40 Ffos Las

Harvie Wallbanger

10st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John O’Shea

Essentially disappointing since finishing second in a bumper and was beaten 21l on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f); that was after a lengthy absence and now goes in cheekpieces over a longer trip (3m point winner).

13/2

6

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:40 Ffos Las

Harvie Wallbanger

10st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: John O’Shea

Essentially disappointing since finishing second in a bumper and was beaten 21l on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f); that was after a lengthy absence and now goes in cheekpieces over a longer trip (3m point winner).

13/2

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:38 Chepstow

Harvie Wallbanger

10st 7lb

J: Ben Poste

T: John O’Shea

Runner-up in good-ground course bumper in October 2022 but struggled to get competitive in four subsequent hurdle races that season (2m-2m3f); makes handicap debut after 742-day absence; considered only if lively in betting.

7/1

Form: 475

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth in Aintree bumper on rules debut (final start for Alan Hill); modest RPRs in two attempts over hurdles (2m/2m4f) for new yard; needs improvement to take a serious hand; handicaps await.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Santos Blue

11st 8lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Did well for Dan Skelton and posted best effort for new stable when second behind easy winner at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) last time; however, likely needs a new level of form to go one better.

14/1

2nd

1

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including on heavy going at Uttoxeter in 2024 and over 3m at Newbury last February; the latter was his final start for Dan Skelton and he's been well beaten this term on both runs for new yard; needs a career best to win this.

11/1

1st

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

11/1

Form: 3-4

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has shown ability in bumpers nine months apart, finishing third at Newcastle (AW) then fourth at Newbury (good); nicely bred and looks open to improvement now hurdling; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:18 Southwell

Star Flyer

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when winning comfortably over C&D (good to soft) in February; not quite in the same form on either subsequent appearance but still ran respectably at Plumpton last time, and the return to this track is an obvious plus.

5/1

5th

6

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:18 Southwell

Star Flyer

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when winning comfortably over C&D (good to soft) in February; not quite in the same form on either subsequent appearance but still ran respectably at Plumpton last time, and the return to this track is an obvious plus.

5/1

3rd

6

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

16:50 Plumpton

Star Flyer

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Warren Greatrex

Won comfortably in the first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) but he ran moderately off a 9lb higher mark next time when perhaps the headgear failed to help a second time; if it was just an off-day then he might bounce back.

11/2

Form: 9P

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Irish point last winter; has achieved nothing in two novice hurdles for new stable; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Horizon DOr

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Brett Johnson

Ran big race in defeat for Adam West at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in the autumn but we haven't seen him since his disappointing chase debut in December; makes stable debut today; market may guide.

25/1

11th

6

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Horizon DOr

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Brett Johnson

Ran big race in defeat for Adam West at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in the autumn but we haven't seen him since his disappointing chase debut in December; makes stable debut today; market may guide.

25/1

8th

10

30th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

13:45 Taunton

Horizon DOr

10st 11lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

Returned from layoff with two good hurdle runs this autumn (3m2f/3m) but was well beaten when last in action and others in this line-up look stronger; makes chasing debut today.

14/1

Form: 7/67

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Midfield in a bumper and two novice hurdles, latest at Warwick; in excellent hands but looks similar to stablemate Santos Blue in that he may be more interesting when sent into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

William Of York

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has won three times over hurdles and three times over fences, but was disappointing back over hurdles with a visor (retained) instead of cheekpieces at Hexham last time (2m7f, good; 40-1).

50/1

13th

1

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

William Of York

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three handicap chases on the trot in 2024; has struggled to finish since; may fare better back over hurdles with visor tried.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.70
Straight Forecast £1.70
Trifecta £4.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Authorised Speed

LAMBOURN:

Immortal

WEST COUNTRY:

Harvie Wallbanger

The Star:

Immortal

RP Ratings:

Authorised Speed

TOPSPEED:

Authorised Speed

POSTDATA:

Authorised Speed

The Times:

Authorised Speed

Telegraph:

Authorised Speed

The Guardian:

Authorised Speed

Daily Mail:

Authorised Speed

D Express:

Authorised Speed

Daily Mirror:

Authorised Speed

The Sun:

Authorised Speed

Daily Record:

Authorised Speed