January 26 / 15.00 Sandown

15.00

Good To Soft

Grand Military Gold Cup (A Chase For Military Amateur Jockeys) (Sponsored By Army Sport)

  • Prize money: £8555.75
  • 3m 0f 37y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Grand Military Gold Cup (A Chase For Military Amateur Jockeys) (Sponsored By Army Sport)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

OUR TIP

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.10
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 0UP-P8

Last run: 175 days

W: 12st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a good Punchestown chase last season when in the Gigginstown colours but steadily lost his way afterwards, albeit in some valuable handicaps; always a chance that a change of scenery (bought for £16,000) might recharge the batteries but he has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:05 Sandown

Farceur Du Large

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

Won the Grand Military Gold Cup over C&D last January and followed up in this race (also soft), both under Major Will Kellard; beaten just over 1l when second to Fil d'Ariane in the Grand Military Gold Cup three weeks ago but he's 5lb better off with the selection today and has solid claims.

5/2

2nd

1

24th Jan 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Farceur Du Large

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

disputed lead, prominent after 2nd, lost ground before 16th, not fluent 17th, hit 18th, not fluent 3 out

6/4

2nd

1

24th Jan 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Farceur Du Large

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

Ex-Irish gelding who won this quite comfortably 12 months ago on his first start for Jamie Snowden and followed up in February's Royal Artillery Gold Cup (again under Major Will Kellard); the horses he beat in both those races went on to win handicaps and he too ran well to be fifth in the Midlands National; the glaring concern is the very laboured return he made in a Newbury handicap, yet none of his rivals offered a lot more on their final starts.

6/4

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 3-1733 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Should hold every chance on these favourable terms and she arrives here in form, having surpassed herself to finish third in a Listed chase for mares at Newbury (2m7f, soft) before filling the same placing in Plumpton's Sussex National (3m4f); lacks course experience and so too her jockey, but her form claims are hard to ignore.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has run well on good ground here and won at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; reappeared with solid third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) last month and she should be fine with today's test (albeit well beaten 12 months ago); 2lb out of the handicap but not discounted for bang-in-form yard.

11/1

5th

11

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Rose Of Arcadia

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, outpaced after 3 out, lost fourth approaching last

11/1

6

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

16:28 Exeter

Rose Of Arcadia

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Thorough stayer who gained last season's chasing win at Sandown (3m, good to soft) in March; not quite in same form at Plumpton later that month but has good record when fresh and begins her new campaign on a workable mark; had wind operation in August; good chance.

4/1

66/1

  • Place: £9.80

Form: 7/33P/

Last run: 927 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Promising when arriving here from France a few seasons back but now rated a lot lower than he was and looks vulnerable despite a pleasing recent return between the flags.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Fil DAriane

12st 6lb

J: Mr Douglas White

T: Douglas White

Quite closely matched with Java Point on their Ludlow form in January (3m, good to soft) and this 11yo has held his form in points; he still looks vulnerable from a win perspective.

12/1

2nd

1

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Fil DAriane

12st 6lb

J: Mr Douglas White

T: Douglas White

First and second in Sandown's military races last term (soft, good to soft) before converting an easy task in his members race at Didmarton; all rules and point wins have been gained around more testing tracks than Ludlow, and it's five years since his one winning seasonal reappearance.

20/1

2

13th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:05 Sandown

Fil DAriane

12st 5lb

J: Capt Douglas White

T: Douglas White

Inconsistent but ran well in the military races over C&D early last year and he beat Farceur Du Large by just over 1l in the Grand Military Gold Cup over C&D (soft) three weeks ago; now 5lb worse off with the runner-up but can give another good account under regular rider Captain Douglas White.

4/1

Form: 2-7214 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Winning chaser in France; returned to fences with a second at Wincanton (2m4f) and first at Exeter (3m; again good to soft); ended up tailed off after a 7lb rise back at the latter venue a month ago when he got tired on the softer ground (looked dangerous to a point); still on the shortlist, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Enjoy Your Life

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

6lb lower than for November's second over 2m3.5f here (good to soft), but beaten 27l and 56l despite making the podium the last twice; enough to prove right now and probably wouldn't want a dryout, either.

14/1

6th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Enjoy Your Life

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

6lb lower than for November's second over 2m3.5f here (good to soft), but beaten 27l and 56l despite making the podium the last twice; enough to prove right now and probably wouldn't want a dryout, either.

14/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

16:20 Wincanton

Enjoy Your Life

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won twice last season and is below his last winning mark; reappeared with encouraging second at Chepstow in November but two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

5/1

Form: /32U-4 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Likely to be well served by dropping back in distance after defeats over 3m4f/3m6f, the latest after wind surgery; running well about this time last year and these terms are favourable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

8th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

17:08 Wincanton

Golden Sovereign

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't been at his best this season following wind surgery, from 3m to 3m6f; tongue-tie joins cheekpieces sported the last twice; others appeal more.

7/1

5th

4

8th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

17:08 Wincanton

Golden Sovereign

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't been at his best this season following wind surgery, from 3m to 3m6f; tongue-tie joins cheekpieces sported the last twice; others appeal more.

7/1

5th

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 4

15:15 Chepstow

Golden Sovereign

11st 9lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

3m2f winner on soft ground but hasn't offered a great deal when sent further; has yet to get going this season and the cheekpieces didn't appear to have much of an effect when a tailed-off third at Exeter last month.

6/1

Form: 9-306P D

Last run: 39 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
The last of his four chase wins was in April 2021; has been pretty poor in three runs following a break and is no good thing to repeat last season's second in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Almazhar Garde

12st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and has failed to complete in his last two starts but this is a drop back in grade and he went close at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; looks interesting on that form and he made all when winning this race last year.

9/1

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Almazhar Garde

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and his second at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November came in a two-horse race; followed that with a poor run in a veterans' chase at Doncaster; others appeal more.

20/1

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Almazhar Garde

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won three times last year (3m/2m7f, good to soft/good) and finished close up on final two outings in the autumn; in the mix if returning from a break in similarly good form.

6/1

Form: 110-FP CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Had already won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup (good) when winning last season's renewal of this race (staged in early March) by a comfortable 5l from Almazhar Garde; still travelling with purpose when falling two out in the London National back here in December (3m4f, heavy) before struggling in Warwick's Classic Chase when 25-1; this is more his scene; respected.
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: -28265 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 12st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
A little off colour the last twice but his second at Plumpton in November shows that he retains plenty of ability and his last win was over C&D in December 2022 (nine runs back); certainly not without a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

10th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

I See You Well

11st 3lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

raced in last but in touch with leaders, went second and 13th, hit 4 out, soon weakened

8/1

Form: 242-61 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 5lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Admirable 13yo who ran well in defeat during a light last season and, after a heavy defeat on his Cheltenham comeback, he narrowly returned to winning ways in a 3m heavy-ground Class 3 handicap at Ayr; ran a good fourth in the veterans' final here just over a year ago and needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Up Helly Aa King

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins last season, at Ayr in January (3m, soft) and on final start at Kelso in April (2m7f, soft); off since and although these conditions suit, is likely to need the run after a break.

7/1

7

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Up Helly Aa King

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins last season, at Ayr in January (3m, soft) and on final start at Kelso in April (2m7f, soft); off since and although these conditions suit, is likely to need the run after a break.

7/1

4

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Up Helly Aa King

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Veteran who remains very capable on his day, with a first and close second this season; below best last time but could bounce back from that.

9/1

Form: 2-3375 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Usually gives his running but has a poor strike-rate over fences (1-18) and he dropped away to be beaten some 31l last time at Warwick when the subject of strong market support in first-time blinkers; one of the highest rated in here but others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

26th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Nestor Park

12st 0lb

J: Lt Billy Aprahamian

T: Ben Pauling

Usually gives his running but has a poor strike-rate over fences (1-18) and he dropped away to be beaten some 31l last time at Warwick when the subject of strong market support in first-time blinkers; one of the highest rated in here but others appeal more.

4/1

5th

16

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Nestor Park

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Often runs well in defeat but he's now 1-17 over fences, having performed below his best the last twice; connections turn to blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) for some assistance; others are safer.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.20
Straight Forecast £34.40
Trifecta £1525.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Rose Of Arcadia

SPOTLIGHT:

Broken Halo

The Sun:

Enjoy Your Life

LAMBOURN:

Farceur Du Large

D Express:

Golden Sovereign

The Times:

Nestor Park

The Star:

Up Helly Aa King

TOPSPEED:

Rose Of Arcadia

POSTDATA:

Rose Of Arcadia

The Guardian:

Rose Of Arcadia

Daily Mirror:

Rose Of Arcadia

Daily Record:

Rose Of Arcadia

WEST COUNTRY:

Broken Halo

Telegraph:

Broken Halo

Daily Mail:

Broken Halo