January 07 / 13.50 Sandown

13.50

Soft

Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 1m 7f 119y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV
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Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 511-41 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Has done his winning on good/good to soft ground, most recently at Doncaster (2m) last month; now 3-6 over fences and a 3lb rise is offset by Jack Andrews' claim; soft/heavy ground would be a negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Xcitations

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts.

7/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Xcitations

12st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.

9/4

2nd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Xcitations

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester.

4/1

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 23-F11 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of F11 since switched to chasing, most recently winning by 7l over C&D (good to soft; Class 3) having jumped well; looks the type to improve further; warrants respect upped further in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead early, not fluent and prominent 2nd

20/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

Form: 239-24 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Consistent; creditable third in last year's Grand Annual at Cheltenham (heavy) and not disgraced in two Ascot races in the autumn; has good form over this C&D (winner and clear second in two attempts); solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

20

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Frero Banbou

10st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who was below par at Doncaster (3m, good) last time but had previously enjoyed a new lease of life following a step up in trip, winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good) then runner-up at Kempton (3m, good to soft); has a consistent record at Cheltenham and he's an each-way possible if back to form.

50/1

Form: 2531-1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Recorded half-length wins in Scotland (Perth/Kelso) on last two appearances and latest rise in weights is offset by Theo Gillard's 3lb claim; perhaps in deeper waters at this venue but can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

22nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 4

13:50 Catterick

Dreams Of Home

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Useful chaser at best for Donald McCain but last win was almost two years ago and he's struggled in two hurdle runs for new yard this autumn; on reduced mark back over fences but he has something to prove and all of his rules wins have been at shorter trips; cheekpieces added.

16/1

4th

7

22nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 4

13:50 Catterick

Dreams Of Home

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Useful chaser at best for Donald McCain but last win was almost two years ago and he's struggled in two hurdle runs for new yard this autumn; on reduced mark back over fences but he has something to prove and all of his rules wins have been at shorter trips; cheekpieces added.

16/1

Form: 56/F1- D

Last run: 275 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Absent since winning Grade 3 handicap at Aintree (2m, good to soft) nine months ago when 8lb lower; goes well fresh but returns as an 11yo and further progress is by no means certain at this age.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

15th Feb 2024

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

13:55 Sandown

The Last Day

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Evan Williams

Won twice on heavy early in career; Aintree brings out the best in him and he was below form last January on his only start at Sandown; Wetherby second last time (the race in which Xcitations and Gunsight Ridge came a cropper) was a step back in the right direction but others are preferred.

10/1

2nd

3

13th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 36y

Class 2

14:15 Wetherby

The Last Day

11st 10lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

didn't jump with fluency, held up in rear, awkward jump 1st, headway and disputing third 8th, left in second 4 out

13/2

Form: UP-484

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Raced mainly at 2m3f and beyond; has failed to build on Exeter win last winter and a drop to 2m had limited effect on latest outing; failed to complete in two previous attempts in hood; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 5f 137y

Class 3

15:00 Exeter

Gladiateur Allen

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Has performed reasonably in three hurdling starts since returning from a spell chasing, the latest over 2m7f here two weeks ago; tendency to race keenly a negative and only hurdle win came more than two years ago.

13/2

5th

1

24th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:17 Exeter

Gladiateur Allen

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

raced freely, disputed lead, led 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, soon headed and ridden, weakened 2 out

13/2

4th

2

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:05 Chepstow

Gladiateur Allen

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Won chase debut in December 2021; not so good since but the handicapper has reacted and this season's form (back over hurdles on latest start) suggests that he has a place chance.

7/1

Form: /247-3 CD

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Similar type to Frero Banbou having done well (runner-up then won; heavy/good) in two starts over C&D; solid third, behind subsequent scorers, at Cheltenham when last seen two months ago; big player up just 2lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Grey Diamond

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.

12/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Grey Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he was an encouraging third at Bangor in November following a break; however, this inconsistent 12yo is winless since March 2023 and others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.80
Straight Forecast £27.76
Trifecta £102.10

Selections

THE NORTH:

Corrigeen Rock

SPOTLIGHT:

Grey Diamond

RP Ratings:

Frero Banbou

POSTDATA:

Gladiateur Allen

TOPSPEED:

Dreams Of Home

Daily Mirror:

The Last Day

The Times:

Corrigeen Rock

The Star:

Corrigeen Rock

Daily Record:

Corrigeen Rock

WEST COUNTRY:

Gladiateur Allen

D Express:

Frero Banbou

The Sun:

Frero Banbou

Telegraph:

Grey Diamond

The Guardian:

Grey Diamond

Daily Mail:

Grey Diamond