December 09 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Soft

Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31218
  • 3m 4f 146y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV4
View Course
Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 4581-B D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in three Welsh Nationals over 3m6f at Chepstow and took the Midlands National (4m2f, heavy) in March 2020; first win since came this April at Ffos Las (3m4f, soft) under his now regular partner Freddie Gingell; first-time-out record was the big worry at Cheltenham three weeks ago but he couldn't show what form he was in, being brought down at the third; effectiveness with the trip/ground means he can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

16th Mar 2024

Heavy

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Truckers Lodge

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

An easy winner of this race on heavy ground four years ago but unplaced in the last three runnings, well held in the last two; his powers are on the wane, despite reconfirming his affection for the mud when beating Beauport at Sandown in December (3m4f), since when he's pulled up in the Welsh National (a regular in that as well).

14/1

0

8

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Truckers Lodge

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Second, seventh, third and fourth in the last four Welsh Nationals, as well as winning the Midlands National (4m2f, heavy) in 2020; this year he's added wins in the West Wales and London versions at Ffos Las (3m4f) and Sandown (3m4f, heavy) under his now regular partner Freddie Gingell, the latter race 18 days ago; has 4lb penalty and this probably requires his best form in nearly two years, but he should be on the premises once more.

11/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 249F-5 C BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, bit below form sole start on heavy; fine record at this track as a hurdler but career over fences at other tracks has not gone smoothly since he won his chase debut in October 2022; this longer trip is an interesting move and there's still time for this 7yo to click as a chaser, but there were jumping blemishes again when he reappeared at Ascot five weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Beauport

10st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Took well to these fences in last year's renewal but subsided rapidly after three out, which might have been surprising for one who'd won a 4m2f Midlands National (March 2024) but he seemed to race a bit too zestfully in the front rank; 3lb lower today, having run respectably on reappearance but moderately in two hurdle races since (wind surgery before latest); now tongue tied first time; a bit to prove.

100/1

4th

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

Beauport

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who was pulled up in Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December and conditional Toby McCain-Mitchell is unable to claim today; however, he's had wind surgery since his latest outing, which might help, and he was second in this 12 months ago having finished third in the Long Walk the time before; it will be no surprise to see a bold bid from this prominent-racer.

10/1

12th

12

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Beauport

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jumped and hung badly right in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, heavy) last March but nevertheless battled back to win, the clear highlight among seven chases going this way round; scoring by 31l at Ascot (3m5f, good; 12lb higher today) was a good way to start this season and he's run with credit over hurdles since; going left-handed is a concern but there are lots of positives otherwise.

22/1

Form: 1197-4 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Tailed off sole start on heavy (2021); two wins over Wincanton 3m1f last winter, with another over 2m4f here (soft) in between; not disgraced on last month's reappearance or in the big end-of-season handicap over C&D in April but his seventh that day did not prove his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

16/1

Form: 7121-P

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; two wins and a second (to Cyclop) when switched to veterans' races over about 3m this February-April; badly hampered (pulled up) at about halfway on reappearance six weeks ago; not having proved himself beyond 3m (no attempts beyond 3m1f) poses the big question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

4th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

14:30 Plumpton

Boldmere

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up on three of four appearances during very disappointing campaign last season and not an easy horse to weigh up at present but has slipped to a dangerous mark and may have been refreshed by eight-month break.

12/1

3rd

1

4th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

14:30 Plumpton

Boldmere

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up on three of four appearances during very disappointing campaign last season and not an easy horse to weigh up at present but has slipped to a dangerous mark and may have been refreshed by eight-month break.

12/1

9

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Boldmere

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up twice this season but was badly hampered on reappearance and never on an even keel after early mistakes at Warwick last time; far from disgraced over 3m4f here in between; returning to 3m should suit and he's been given a big chance by the handicapper; interesting at likely lengthy odds.

16/1

Form: 68110- C

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Well on top over 3m at this track last season in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup (good) and Grand Military Gold Cup (good to soft); well beaten in the big end-of-season handicap over C&D, which was his only foray beyond 3m but he's worth another go and had an impressive heavy-ground win (2m3f) two winters back; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Broken Halo

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Had wind surgery (his second) since last run; scored over 3m4f at Taunton (soft) in March and was still going well (4l down, disputing third) when falling two out in this contest last year; shortlisted.

7/1

Form: /140P-

Last run: 268 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Started last season well on soft ground (acts on heavy) with a win over 3m1f at Haydock and fourth at Kempton over Christmas; out of form in her two later starts, including when favourite in the 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock on her only venture beyond 3m2f but it's well worth another go; had wind surgery in July; stable form this autumn suggests she could be back with a bang.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Fontaine Collonges

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, slow jump 1st, towards rear 2nd

33/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Fontaine Collonges

10st 11lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

held up in rear, not fluent 2nd

16/1

2

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Fontaine Collonges

11st 12lb

T: Venetia Williams

Mightily impressive with a wide-margin win at Wetherby (3m, soft) last Christmas and same again at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft; from Monbeg Genius) five weeks ago; her only run in between is a worry, though, as she weakened quickly from seven out in the Classic Chase at Warwick, and that was her second major failure to prove her stamina at about 3m4f/3m5f; throw in an 8lb rise since Haydock and some doubts creep in.

10/1

Form: 5-F7U0

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; 1-13 over fences, the win gained in a three-runner race in February; failed to shine in his three outings this autumn but the handicapper is giving him every chance and the trip is interesting, as his only attempt beyond 3m2f (Punchestown 3m7f in April) was a solid effort; place squeak.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

10th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Coeur Serein

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form on soft/heavy ground but the drier conditions ought to suit him better here and he won't fail through lack of stamina; can be very dangerous off current mark if refreshed by 130-day break.

33/1

Non-runners

Cyclop, Fortescue, Rapper

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.00
Straight Forecast £21.27
Tricast £67.30
Trifecta £71.50

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Beauport

SPOTLIGHT:

Fontaine Collonges

Daily Mail:

Certainly Red

TOPSPEED:

Fortescue

POSTDATA:

Cyclop

The Times:

Beauport

Telegraph:

Beauport

D Express:

Beauport

The Star:

Beauport

RP RATINGS:

Fontaine Collonges

The Guardian:

Fontaine Collonges

Daily Mirror:

Fontaine Collonges

Daily Record:

Certainly Red