December 08 / 13.50 Sandown

13.50

Soft

Betfair Beacons Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £28475
  • 2m 3f 173y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfair Beacons Winter Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 3-1

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Both rules runs came after absences; this British point winner (3m, soft) built upon last October's hurdle debut third (2m1f, good to soft) to win with something to spare at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) last month; he's a highly likeable prospect and is entitled to respect now up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Deafening Silence

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Sole win in eight chases came in a three-runner novice but he was racing beyond 3m for the first time when not beaten far in the Welsh National and again he was very competitive in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft; could prove even better on soft); handicap mark hasn't really gone anywhere and he appeals as a likely type for this.

8/1

4th

5

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Deafening Silence

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 9yo who was suited by the step up in trip when third of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December; he's won on soft and heavy ground and may well have more to offer over marathon trips; key player.

7/2

5th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

Deafening Silence

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear but in touch with leaders, jumped right 1st, jumped right and bumped rival 5th, slow jump 7th, some headway after 11th

11/4

9/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4-1

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner (3m, yielding to soft) who had wind surgery after finishing fourth in his sole bumper, and won easily on last month's hurdle and seasonal debut at Exeter (2m, good to soft); that form reads well and he's a leading player for his top trainer, who won this in 2019 and 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Insurrection

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Back to his winning trip over fences after failing to defy some serious stamina doubts over the 3m2f of the Kim Muir; he's none too consistent and looked a hard ride at Musselburgh the run before (2m4f), but he's realistically handicapped if he can travel kinder in the new cheekpieces.

100/30

18th

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Insurrection

11st 7lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Paul Nicholls

Impressive at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) last February and back to form when third there (2m4f, good to soft) in January; however, this inconsistent 9yo was well beaten at Musselburgh last month and this is a big step into the unknown in terms of stamina (albeit that he did win a 3m point).

33/1

8th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Insurrection

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Inconsistent but he's run really well on both visits here, winning comfortably over C&D (good to soft) at this meeting 12 months ago and doing well to finish third over C&D (good to soft) on reappearance having made a bad blunder three out; effective on soft ground earlier in career; big chance.

3/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, heavy) in March and won at 12-1 on last month's rules debut at Warwick (2m3f, soft), despite a mistake at the final flight; that form has been franked by the runner-up and he has plenty of potential; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won three-runner novice chase by 17l at Newbury (2m, soft; first-time blinkers) in February but that form is tricky to evaluate, and he was pulled up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March; still needs to prove he can handle his current handicap mark and that he's fully effective on the forecast good ground.

4/1

15

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Personal Ambition

10st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

He's had jumping issues and should have won a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot in December 2024 (2m3f, good to soft; bad mistake at final fence); beat just two rivals when getting off the mark in this sphere at Newbury (2m, soft) recently but that was still a very encouraging effort in first-time blinkers (retained); could make a bold bid if minimising the errors.

14/1

1st

3

17th Feb 2026

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

14:15 Newbury

Personal Ambition

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three-time hurdle winner; 0-6 over fences but highly tried on occasions and unlucky not to win a Grade 2 at Ascot last season; disappointed in that same race two months ago but new headgear could help him turn things around.

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: 414-11 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (2m, soft) who scored easily on his hurdle debut at Warwick (2m5f, good) in October and followed up at Aintree (2m4f, soft); goes up in grade and his regular rider Jamie Neild can't claim his usual 7lb, but he's clearly thriving and his stable continues in fine form; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Josh The Boss

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.

16/1

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Josh The Boss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fairly useful novice chaser who scored easily at Doncaster in November and has performed creditably off current mark twice since, albeit failed to justify favouritism when sent up to Newcastle (2m4f) last time; goes into deeper waters at this level.

11/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Josh The Boss

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.

4/1

Form: 1-1 C

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point (3m, soft) and bumper (2m, good) winner who made it 3-3 when readily landing a maiden hurdle here (2m, soft) last month at odds-on; he did it in good style and could continue to progress for his leading trainer now tackling a longer trip; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Southoftheborder

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Finally came good over fences at Kempton (2m2f, good) and nearly followed up at Market Rasen, albeit when odds-on for a four-runner race; nudged up another 3lb for that defeat but still one to consider.

7/2

2nd

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 34y

Class 4

16:30 Market Rasen

Southoftheborder

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Took nine attempts to open chasing account but the form of his win at Kempton (2m2f, good) three weeks ago was nicely boosted by the runner-up on Saturday, and this fellow is still on a good mark after a 3lb rise.

2/1

1st

4

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Southoftheborder

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Henrietta C Knight

Record of 0-8 over rules fences but form is largely consistent and this second run since wind surgery may be the time to catch him, especially with Sean Bowen up for first time; interesting today.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.00
Straight Forecast £21.67
Trifecta £71.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Insurrection

SPOTLIGHT:

Southoftheborder

The Times:

Personal Ambition

POSTDATA:

Josh The Boss

The Guardian:

Personal Ambition

The Star:

Personal Ambition

WEST COUNTRY:

Insurrection

Telegraph:

Insurrection

D Express:

Insurrection

Daily Mirror:

Insurrection

The Sun:

Insurrection

TOPSPEED:

Southoftheborder

LAMBOURN:

Southoftheborder

Daily Mail:

Southoftheborder

Daily Record:

Southoftheborder