December 08 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Soft

Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7804.5
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 5-23

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Finished alone to win Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) on debut and runner-up at Kempton (2m, good) in May on first hurdle start; another promising run when third to Southoftheborder (due to run in 1.50) over C&D (soft) last month and has had wind op since; interesting on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Classic Anthem

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.

3/1

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Classic Anthem

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.

3/1

1st

7

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Classic Anthem

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Has a win, two seconds and a third from just six outings at Sandown; ran close to his best when runner-up over C&D in February, keeping on from the rear; solid claims once more.

9/2

16/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 5-8116

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Landed a good-ground hat-trick this May-July (two over hurdles, one on the Flat) and his trainer has won three of the last eight runnings of this race; heavy/soft ground probably hasn't suited on his last three starts (back over hurdles most recently) but he could have the same problem today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

18:20 Fontwell

Hes A Latchico

11st 4lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Four-time hurdle winner who has form figures of 11631 at Fontwell; has mixed record this season but he went close at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) on his penultimate run and was rallying in a close fifth when he unseated two out at Kempton (2m, good) last time; one of two runners for the yard and he's an interesting contender back at this track.

11/2

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton

Hes A Latchico

11st 10lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Gained his spring/autumn wins last year at about 2m; ran well over 2m4f at Plumpton most recently; may remain competitive, back down in distance.

4/1

2nd

7

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Hes A Latchico

11st 1lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Took hurdles score to four when winning at Leicester (1m7.5f, soft) in November and produced a solid effort in his follow-up bid off this mark at Ascot the following month; however, he has to be forgiven a below-par effort at Sandown since.

16/1

Form: 41-13 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Easily won Market Rasen bumper (2m, good) in February and followed up on hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in October; well-beaten third at Exeter (2m, good to soft) last time and could do with settling better on handicap debut, but he's in good hands to progress; tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Asta La Pasta

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner last season (2m4f/2m), both times by wide margins in small fields; suited by good ground but ran poorly when last in action and still needs to prove he can cope with this career-high mark.

5/1

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Asta La Pasta

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Dual chase winner last season (2m4f/2m), both times by wide margins in small fields; suited by good ground but ran poorly when last in action and still needs to prove he can cope with this career-high mark.

5/1

9th

7

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Asta La Pasta

10st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, towards rear

7/2

Form: 6F2-11 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
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.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 22

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Went close on rules debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October and runner-up to Josh The Boss (due to run in 1.50) at Aintree (2m4f, soft) last time; there's every chance he'll be effective at today's shorter trip and this very lightly raced 4yo brings potential to his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Magical King

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Runner-up off this mark at Newbury (3m, soft) last February but he's not hit the same level since and was beaten 19l back at Newbury (third of nine) last month; overall record is now 1-15 and others are more persuasive.

7/1

3rd

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

16:43 Newbury

Magical King

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season, with best effort a C&D second (soft) just over a year ago; disappointing over fences this term (three attempts; blinkers tried last time) and this switch back to hurdling needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; usual cheekpieces back on today.

20/1

3

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Magical King

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Consistent over hurdles last season; ran well to a point on chasing debut at Bangor (3m, heavy) in November and may have found the good ground too lively when safely held at Doncaster in December; not out of this if change of headgear gives him a boost.

10/1

20/1

Form: 242-22

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
French Flat winner who was runner-up over hurdles on final two runs there; he could improve for last month's British debut in Taunton maiden hurdle (2m3f, good to soft) but was no match for the winner in second and he's not obviously well treated off his opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

18:10 Fontwell

Sun Joy

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Back in prime form when last seen in the autumn, winning at Ludlow before running well in defeat at Kempton (also 2m5f, good); contender if ready to roll after six-month break.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:07 Ludlow

Sun Joy

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

Comeback run was better than latest effort but, as on his reappearance, he just goes in a tongue-tie here; no surprise should he bounce back.

5/2

Form: 2212-4

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
French bumper winner who has been well beaten over hurdles on both British starts but they were still fair runs relative to today's modest opening mark, and he shaped over C&D last time as though he would improve for the run; possible improver for leading yard and firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

31st Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

15:05 Plumpton

Impact Du Bonheur

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

midfield, not fluent 5th, niggled along briefly 8th, outpaced and dropped to rear 9th

11/2

6th

13

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Impact Du Bonheur

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

French bumper winner who has been well beaten over hurdles on all three British starts, last of seven off this mark on handicap debut at Sandown on latest (2m, heavy; 5-1, weakening when hampered at the final flight); cheekpieces join the tongue-tie.

11/2

7th

7

8th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:35 Sandown

Impact Du Bonheur

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

French bumper winner who has been well beaten over hurdles on both British starts but they were still fair runs relative to today's modest opening mark, and he shaped over C&D last time as though he would improve for the run; possible improver for leading yard and firmly in calculations.

5/1

Non-runners

Fever Dream, Immortal

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.90
Straight Forecast £34.19
Tricast £246.17
Trifecta £305.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Immortal

WEST COUNTRY:

West End Boy

The Times:

Classic Anthem

SPOTLIGHT:

Impact Du Bonheur

POSTDATA:

Impact Du Bonheur

Telegraph:

West End Boy

Daily Mirror:

West End Boy

The Sun:

West End Boy

LAMBOURN:

Immortal

D Express:

Immortal

The Star:

Immortal

Daily Record:

Immortal

The Guardian:

Classic Anthem

Daily Mail:

Classic Anthem