April 29 / 15.25 Sandown

15.25

Good

bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 4f 10y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV4
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bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: -21112 CD

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Has won on good and soft ground during a hot run of form this season and his second at Plumpton (2m3f, good) last time was no backward step; however, it could be that the handicapper has caught up and this is his first time in a Class 2.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

14th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:54 Fakenham

Gloire Dathon

11st 11lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Humphrey

led, clear after 3rd, reduced lead after 6th

33/1

7th

6

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

17:00 Plumpton

Gloire Dathon

11st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Humphrey

Bumper/hurdle/chase winner; didn't run up to his best over fences last year (pulled up last two starts); better ground will suit and well handicapped, but plenty to prove.

20/1

7

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Gloire Dathon

11st 4lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Sarah Humphrey

5-17 over fences but his latest win was May 2023 and last year went badly; often wears hood or cheekpieces and now tries a visor.

20/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1-215P D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles but very much a chaser on looks and made a bright start in two early-season 2m4f handicaps (good to soft/heavy), finishing second then first; has gone off the rails a little but he patently failed to stay 3m1f under surprisingly forceful tactics in a red-hot Ultima at the Festival; the cheekpieces tried there are removed but with the tongue-tie retained; has a big run in him if back in sync.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Harpers Brook

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Quirky customer who tends to idle when striking the front and needs to be produced with a well-timed challenge; on a good mark now and Kielan Woods knows his foibles well but he's seemingly on the downgrade and always comes with extra risk.

11/2

5th

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

15:13 Doncaster

Harpers Brook

10st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Back in better form, albeit wilted a bit late on, at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) last time and remains below last winning mark but continues to carry risk, being a quirky sort.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: /3P132 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Overall strike-rate of 10-29 but only 1-7 over fences; did at least run his best race yet as a chaser when beaten in a bobbing finish by Hudson De Grugy over C&D (soft) last month and there's unlikely to be much between them; the rain-softened ground will aid his cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Quel Destin

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful hurdler/chaser in his pomp who is a three-time chase winner, with back-to-back wins coming in December 2023; below that level in limited appearances since, including after a third wind operation; nevertheless, he could still make his presence felt at this lower level.

9/2

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Warwick

Quel Destin

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, prominent when jumped right 12th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake last, lost third towards finish

14/1

4th

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Warwick

Quel Destin

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, prominent when jumped right 12th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake last, lost third towards finish

14/1

Form: -51P41 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Has mixed hurdling with chasing this season, winning in both disciplines at Fontwell (2m1f/2m3f; good); always prominent in a small field when beating the two other finishers last time (over fences) and should have some mileage in this 4lb higher mark; the cheekpieces that worked well last time are retained; won on soft but good ground is perhaps ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

14:50 Ludlow

Quinta Do Mar

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Ben Pauling

Has run here just the once and it was a win, over hurdles in 2021; 1-4 over fences last term and ran well (after wind surgery) back over hurdles on reappearance this season, before a heavy defeat in hot race last month; back chasing today, probably in need of a career best.

7/1

16th

6

13th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton

Quinta Do Mar

11st 6lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Ran respectably at Exeter on seasonal debut; disputing third place when final-flight faller in this race in 2022 but folded tamely in it last year; more exposed than many of these rivals.

16/1

3rd

1

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 3

14:25 Exeter

Quinta Do Mar

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Mixed hurdling with chasing last season, winning in both disciplines; had wind operation during his break but he's on a tough mark and would prefer good ground.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 231122 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
After small-field wins in the West Country he's come up just shy off a 1lb lower mark in handicaps at Wincanton (2m4f, good) and Kempton (2m2f, good to soft; won on soft), albeit with his latest conqueror bang in form and clocking a good time; looks a tad over-handicapped and this trip on a stiff track might just stretch him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Cap Du Mathan

12st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance.

13/8

2

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Cap Du Mathan

12st 4lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Former useful handicapper and won a soft-ground 2m hunter chase early last year; back from an absence with a second at Ludlow and nothing wrong with his third in a deeper race than this at Cheltenham (2m4f); good chance.

13/8

3rd

5

2nd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Cap Du Mathan

12st 1lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, midfield, in touch with leaders 7th, went third approaching last, not pace to challenge

8/1

Form: 57421P D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdler winner who led on the run-in at Hereford (2m5f, soft) to get off the mark over fences; not sure why he ran quite so moderately at Newbury latest but he was looking progressive prior to that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Worcester

Honneur DAjonc

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Some good runs in plating hurdles in the spring but soundly beaten back in handicaps on his last four starts, most recently when reverting to fences; lots to prove.

20/1

6th

5

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:10 Worcester

Honneur DAjonc

11st 12lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Won a selling hurdle for James Owen in March but was safely held in two handicap hurdles for new stable last month (2m/2m4f) and needs to raise his game on this first chasing start since January 2024.

25/1

7

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Honneur DAjonc

11st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Alexander Gibbons

Last win for James Owen came in a seller and was sold on for £5,500; 66-1 and tailed off on stable debut at Worcester.

50/1

Form: P-2P13 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Switched to fences this season following wind surgery; the high points have been a second over C&D (good) and a win at Bangor (good to soft; fine on softer), with the low ones a non-completion and laboured third last time behind Quinta Do Mar; she's due a good run here if the pattern continues and her mark isn't bad.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Fable

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, detached halfway

20/1

11th

7

14th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 3

15:15 Plumpton

Fable

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, detached halfway

20/1

6

21st Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

14:35 Doncaster

Fable

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: -42731 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Yet to quite reproduce his useful hurdle form over fences but he's getting there (visored the last twice) and did well to rally back to beat Quel Destin over C&D (soft) last time after misjudging the final fence; danger to all off just 3lb higher, with Thursday's rain a help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Hudson De Grugy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Brings very strong credentials to this series final, having posted sound performances over C&D (good to soft) in last two starts, comfortably defying top weight latest; 2-6 overall for current yard; respected.

6/1

1st

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Hudson De Grugy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Back in good form for his current yard, landing 3m handicap chase at Wetherby in December and posting a good second of seven over C&D last time; very much one to consider off an unchanged mark.

7/2

Form: 4-2342

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Still to win under rules but plenty of his form reads well and he would probably have pushed a previous winner close at Taunton (2m7f, heavy; effective at shorter) a month ago had he not lost ground two out; 3lb higher for this and they claimed 7lb off his back last time, but suspect he still has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Cheltenham

Mumbo Jumbo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Mrs G Andrews

Useful chaser for Emma Lavelle; consistent pointer and closely matched with Clashhill on his penultimate run, since when he's won easily at High Easter (3m, good to firm); looks a player.

7/2

6th

6

2nd May 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Cheltenham

Mumbo Jumbo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Mrs G Andrews

held up in rear, some headway 3 out, weakened before 2 out

7/2

2nd

5

4th May 2024

Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:35 Uttoxeter

Mumbo Jumbo

11st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Placed off 7lb higher mark in stronger race than this at Exeter (3m, good to soft) in November but was pulled up on next two outings and was last of four (albeit not beaten far) when cheekpieces were added for latest run; now 0-15 under all codes and needs to up his game; drops back in trip with visor tried today.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.60
Straight Forecast £24.94
Tricast £184.78
Trifecta £174.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Harper's Brook

RP Ratings:

Cap Du Mathan

TOPSPEED:

Mumbo Jumbo

D Express:

Hudson De Grugy

POSTDATA:

Quel Destin

Daily Mail:

Gloire D'athon

Daily Mirror:

Mumbo Jumbo

WEST COUNTRY:

Harper's Brook

The Times:

Harper's Brook

The Guardian:

Harper's Brook

The Star:

Hudson De Grugy

Telegraph:

Cap Du Mathan

The Sun:

Cap Du Mathan

Daily Record:

Quel Destin