February 16 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Good To Soft

Healix “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £5446
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Healix “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 11P D BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Bubble was burst when favourite for Grade 2 at Warwick (eventually pulled up) last month, having been 3-3 previously, but perhaps something was slightly amiss and/or conditions (2m5f, heavy) played some part; has gained his hurdles wins at 2m/2m1f and may resume his progress back down in distance; holds two Grade 1 entries at Cheltenham; still of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:19 Leicester

Givega

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: L Morgan

Three wins from five starts over hurdles and he made it 2-2 in points when making all at Larkhill (3m) on his comeback in December; had tough task in Grade 2 on only previous run over regulation fences and he's respected on this hunter chase debut; his three rules wins have been on good to soft/soft.

5/1

8/11

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a promising debut in C&D novice hurdle (soft) nearly 11 weeks ago, keeping on for second behind useful Authorised Speed who subsequently started favourite for the Tolworth (had an excuse for that defeat); had wind surgery since and now goes in tongue-tie; holds solid claims even before factoring in likely progress; strongly respected.
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

8/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 39-416 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame a few times in bumpers; opened his account at Taunton (2m, good) on debut over hurdles, narrowly turning over an odds-on favourite who has scored since; comfortably held at Kempton on Boxing Day, albeit in a stronger race on soft going; this return to forecast better ground may prove ideal; one of the main contenders.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

8th Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

14:00 Huntingdon

Mamoon Star

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Out of form earlier in the year and offered little when fitted with blinkers on last month's reappearance; cheekpieces the chosen headgear here and, although he's become well handicapped, he has plenty to prove.

12/1

8th

5

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:35 Worcester

Mamoon Star

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Well handicapped on some of his 2022-23 season form but ended last year with two poor efforts and was soundly beaten on both outings this spring; blinkered for this first attempt beyond 2m5f; revival needed.

16/1

Form: 6

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Stablemate of Immortal; showed some promise in Wincanton bumper (1m7f, good to soft) on Boxing Day, finishing sixth of 17; half-brother to two winners over jumps; open to improvement and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

13:40 Warwick

Easy Rider

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Well beaten when upped to 2m5f at Kempton (soft) last month but today's race is much easier and his fourth at Sandown (2m, good to soft) in February makes him of significant interest.

11/4

6th

4

18th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Kempton

Easy Rider

11st 2lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nicky Henderson

Out of half-sister to Presenting; made respectable bumper debut and plenty of promise in never-nearer fourth on hurdle debut at Sandown in February (2m, good to soft) where better-fancied stablemate was runner-up; can improve for this longer trip but Issuing Authority looks the yard's main hope.

12/1

4th

3

16th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:35 Sandown

Easy Rider

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Stablemate of Immortal; showed some promise in Wincanton bumper (1m7f, good to soft) on Boxing Day, finishing sixth of 17; half-brother to two winners over jumps; open to improvement and could go well.

16/1

Form: 03

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Modest RPRs in two bumpers at Exeter, remote third on latest occasion; half-brother to numerous winners and may do better in due course; however, has plenty to find on this first crack at hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

18:10 Exeter

Moonlight Artist

10st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

C&D (good to soft) and 3m chase winner (good) who is back on that last winning chase mark; has been better in this discipline and is on a handy mark but was unable to take advantage over C&D latest.

5/1

4th

16

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Moonlight Artist

10st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won over C&D in 2023 and was also successful over fences last spring but has not been firing on all cylinders this season and is inconsistent nowadays too.

20/1

5th

6

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

13:05 Wincanton

Moonlight Artist

10st 4lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Joe Tizzard

Record of 1-10 over hurdles and has the same strike-rate over fences; his last success was in a chase handicap at Warwick (3m, good) last April but he's not matched that form since and was tailed off at Exeter last time; comes with risks attached after a break and his last hurdle run was 12 months ago.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
20,000euros foal, £28,000 3yo; dam unraced half-sister to bumper and 2m/2m3f hurdle winner Ard Abhainn, out of bumper/2m2f hurdle winner; sole newcomer in the field; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

8th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:35 Sandown

West End Boy

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win on his handicap and seasonal debut at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in October and readily followed up off the same mark at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) eight days later, when forced to switch; hit with 12lb rise but could still be ahead of the handicapper.

9/2

1st

8

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

15:37 Plumpton

West End Boy

10st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Displayed significant improvement on seasonal/handicap debut at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) eight days ago, drawing clear to win quite comfortably by 10l; escapes a penalty here and commands respect.

5/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice raced in the Irish point-to-point sphere, better effort when close third last time; sold for £30,000 since; has hurdles winners in his pedigree but this looks a tough starting point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

16:25 Stratford

Invictus Allen

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

7yo who won off 2lb higher at Uttoxeter (3m2f, soft) last summer; has not gone on from that in only four runs since but he ran well for a long way at Fontwell (3m2f) last month and has claims if he can build on that.

4/1

5th

6

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

16:50 Fontwell

Invictus Allen

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Christian Williams

Scored at Uttoxeter (3m2f, soft) off this mark in July last year, but well held following ten-month break when fifth of seven finishers at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month; has work to do.

14/1

5th

7

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Worcester

Invictus Allen

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Pulled up at Hereford (3m1f, good) last October and absent since; however, he won at Uttoxeter (3m2f, soft) last July and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the betting on his return; may want slow ground.

7/1

Form: 3-06

Last run: 104 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished third at Sedgefield on sole bumper run; comfortably held in a couple of novice hurdles, latest at Exeter; needs improvement, and may be more interesting when switched to handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

24th Oct 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 125y

14:28 Clonmel

Tik Tok

10st 10lb

J: Miss P Elvin

T: P J Rothwell

Early promise in a Sedgefield bumper when trained by Christian Williams and while he hasn't shone over hurdles so far, he's worth a market check on first start for Philip Rothwell.

20/1

4

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

14:40 Taunton

Tik Tok

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Christian Williams

held up in rear, mistake 4 out, mistake and struggling 3 out

10/1

7th

9

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

17:07 Hereford

Tik Tok

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Soundly beaten in three 2m novice hurdles last season and makes handicap debut after a one-year absence but remains very unexposed and market support will make him of interest.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.10
Straight Forecast £3.95
Trifecta £9.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Immortal

RP Ratings:

Givega

WEST COUNTRY:

Moonlight Artist

TOPSPEED:

Immortal

LAMBOURN:

Immortal

The Times:

Immortal

Telegraph:

Immortal

The Guardian:

Immortal

Daily Mail:

Immortal

D Express:

Immortal

Daily Mirror:

Immortal

The Star:

Immortal

Daily Record:

Immortal

POSTDATA:

Givega

The Sun:

Givega