December 03 / 14.20 Sandown

14.20

Soft

Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31218
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

Form: 11112- C BF

Last run: 230 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Progressive mare; runner-up in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yielding) when last seen, losing her unbeaten record but far from discredited; bagged Grade 2 prizes at this course (2m4f) and Cheltenham Festival (2m1f) in February/March; should have more to offer this term; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

12th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

16:10 Cheltenham

Love Envoi

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

towards rear

12/1

2nd

5

27th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

15:00 Cheltenham

Love Envoi

11st 1lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Raced mainly on soft/heavy (withdrawn due to good ground once); smart mare whose record is 8-12 and who performed very well (first/second) at the last two Cheltenham Festivals; may be back on song with Sandown reappearance under her belt; has the best chance at the weights.

3/1

2nd

5

9th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 1

13:15 Sandown

Love Envoi

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Harry Fry

Picked up a stress fracture at Punchestown (soundly beaten) when last seen but has made a full recovery; has a solid/progressive record (at 2m-2m5f) otherwise and career record is 8-11; ran well behind Honeysuckle in a strong Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (soft) two starts ago; 3-3 at Sandown, including a win on this card last year; remains of major interest.

13/2

Form: 12/1-4 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 7yo who is very lightly raced; scored at Wetherby (2m, heavy) on British debut despite finishing with a wound to his right fore fetlock; not in the same form at Chepstow in October on return from another layoff but should do better still; in excellent hands; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

25th May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

18:15 Cartmel

Playful Saint

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time hurdle winner who recovered from significant jumping error at penultimate fence to make winning chase debut at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; can cope with today's drop back in trip and is probably still on a workable mark after recent 4lb rise.

2/1

1st

1

25th May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

18:15 Cartmel

Playful Saint

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time hurdle winner who recovered from significant jumping error at penultimate fence to make winning chase debut at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; can cope with today's drop back in trip and is probably still on a workable mark after recent 4lb rise.

2/1

Form: 3661-1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won well at Wetherby (good) three weeks ago, following up his spring success and taking record at about 2m in Britain to 3-5; raised 7lb but Toby Wynne takes off a handy 5lb; has won on soft ground; open to further improvement and looks a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 3

15:47 Cartmel

Homme Public

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well below best during five-race campaign last season but took step back in right direction when third over fences at Bangor (2m1f, good) two months ago; remains on good mark for this hurdle return and could plausibly be better suited by this sort of trip nowadays; cheekpieces replace blinkers.

10/1

3rd

3

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Homme Public

10st 5lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well below best during five-race campaign last season and absent since pulled up on soft ground in February; had wind surgery the following month, though, and ought to be better suited by the forecast quicker conditions here; too well handicapped to rule out; swaps visor for refitted blinkers.

9/1

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Homme Public

10st 8lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Hasn't fired in any of his races this season but connections have tweaked the headgear and he has finished first and second in the last two renewals of this race, last year when fitted in new blinkers; daren't discount.

5/1

Form: 1423-5 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Fair novice hurdler last term, though managed only one success and was beaten favourite on four occasions; may be sharper with Worcester reappearance under his belt; not straightforward but looks the type to improve for first-time headgear (on today); this may be the time to catch him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:22 Hexham

Hermes Boy

11st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

A fair winning hurdler at 2m5f but he's offered little in two runs over fences this term, pulled up at Carlisle (2m4f) 24 days ago; others are much preferred.

20/1

5

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:30 Carlisle

Hermes Boy

11st 9lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won over hurdles for Jane Williams last February but struggled on final two runs for that yard and same story when back over fences at Ayr last month on his stable and seasonal debut; others have less to prove.

50/1

5

2nd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

13:10 Ayr

Hermes Boy

11st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Russell Ross

Won over hurdles for Jane Williams last February; however, struggled on final two runs for that yard and he was pulled up in his sole chase in November 2023; sold for £2,000 last May; may be best watched on stable debut.

12/1

Form: 610274

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; won off this mark at Market Rasen in June; however, subsequent form leaves something to be desired and he's much more exposed than some of these rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:51 Worcester

Bashful Boy

11st 8lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Without a win since 2023 and was out of form when last seen over hurdles in the autumn; this year's Flat form has been fairly respectable but he's on the downgrade and makes only limited appeal back in this sphere.

14/1

4th

4

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 5

16:15 Bath

Bashful Boy

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Pipe

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023 but he's been in fair form on AW this spring including when fourth on Polytrack (2m) in his last two starts; should be in the mix again but he needs to find more to make a big impact; cheekpieces are removed and blinkers return.

9/2

4th

4

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

17:50 Kempton (AW)

Bashful Boy

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: David Pipe

Veteran who hasn't won since 2023; expensive to follow in recent times but he arrives in form and this is a touch easier again off a career-low mark; can't be left out of calculations.

4/1

Form: F3/131 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 131 since returning from long absence, the wins gained at Perth (2m, good) and Bangor (2m3f, soft); better than ever but this looks harder; on a career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

15:15 Aintree

Nayati

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling.

9/1

5th

2

9th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

15:15 Aintree

Nayati

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner who is on a reduced mark and took a step back in the right direction when 9l fourth of 12 at Cartmel in August; fell at Kelso since; however, this 10yo takes on some unexposed types and his claims aren't compelling.

9/1

5

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

17:05 Kelso

Nayati

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Hasn't won since January 2023; now 16lb lower; finished in front of Ashington and Well Educated when fourth in first-time tongue-tie (retained) over 2m1f on soft at Cartmel last time but not sure to confirm the form on today's better ground.

6/1

Form: 13313- D BF

Last run: 249 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Successful twice as a novice chaser last season; useful hurdler previously and has form at this venue; however, looks a tad vulnerable conceding weight to some unexposed/progressive sorts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:10 Chepstow

Friend Or Foe

11st 1lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, pushed along and lost ground after 7th, ridden and keeping on when fell heavily 9th

4/1

3rd

1

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Chepstow

Friend Or Foe

12st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

Left behind by front pair when well-held third at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago and will need a better performance here but ran well for a long way when fifth in good race at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and has slipped to a good mark.

5/1

3rd

1

5th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

13:55 Musselburgh

Friend Or Foe

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Record of 2-6 over fences, the latest success off 2lb higher (albeit in weak race) last March; not disgraced in the Castleford Chase at Wetherby last time; this Ditcheat raider is worthy of respect back down in grade, with trainer having won this race in 2017, 2018 and 2020.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 12343-

Last run: 384 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Good hurdler in France, having been placed twice at Grade 1 level; had wind surgery since last run; market may prove helpful on British debut, having been absent for over a year.
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: 32554F D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
In touch when falling three out at Leicester last month; remains on last winning mark but he's an exposed sort who usually runs in lower grades; faces a tougher assignment at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

16:20 Hereford

Just The Man

11st 9lb

J: Ben Poste

T: John O’Shea

Quite useful dual-purpose horse in his prime but out of form on the Flat and over hurdles last year; needs to have been revitalised by 169-day break.

12/1

10th

3

20th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:25 Newton Abbot

Just The Man

11st 11lb

J: Ben Poste

T: John O’Shea

midfield

25/1

8th

3

(6)

5th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

14:10 Haydock

Just The Man

10st 13lb

J: Miss Iesha Wilding

T: John O’Shea

Three-time Flat winner who has tumbled down the weights; some fair hurdle form in 2023 but he's struggled on his three outings this year (one on the Flat) and a major turnaround is needed in a first-time tongue-tie.

25/1

Form: 116-F6 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Won juvenile hurdle in the spring (British debut); early faller on reappearance and never landed a blow last time; dropped only 3lb and still has something to prove in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

In The Air

11st 3lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Back in prime form when holding on well to score over C&D (good) on last month's chase return and now 4-10 over fences; recent 3lb rise does not look excessive and there's a good chance he'll be right in the thick of things again.

5/2

1st

3

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

15:15 Stratford

In The Air

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Three-time winner over fences (once over C&D) in early part of last season; returned from break with two below-par hurdle runs this spring but could be back at concert pitch for this return to chasing; a possible.

7/1

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

Non-runners

In The Air

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £15.51
Tricast £38.51

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Love Envoi

SPOTLIGHT:

Homme Public

D Express:

Hermes Boy

The Guardian:

Nayati

WEST COUNTRY:

Love Envoi

The Times:

Love Envoi

Daily Mail:

Love Envoi

The Sun:

Love Envoi

The Star:

Love Envoi

Daily Record:

Love Envoi

RP Ratings:

Homme Public

POSTDATA:

Homme Public

Telegraph:

Homme Public

Daily Mirror:

Homme Public