February 03 / 15.45 Sandown

15.45

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 3m 0f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
ITV3
View Course
Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £11.50
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 636-P4 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Absent since running respectably at Newbury two months ago on debut for new yard; remains nicely handicapped on best form, which includes two wins at about 3m in spring 2022; market support would heighten interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Java Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Lemos De Souza

Useful, four-time handicap chase winner who scored at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in January on his first hunter chase start; runner-up on next two outings (3m/2m7f, soft/good to soft); this 11yo needs a bigger run today.

33/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Lemos De Souza

Has always been useful; ran in a handicap on debut for this yard and then beat Fil d'Ariane at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); perhaps found soft ground against him when no match for Jeffery's Cross last time and better can be expected.

6/1

2nd

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Lemos De Souza

Successful at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last time on hunter chase debut and second start for new stable, showing he retains plenty of vitality aged 11; this is a weaker race; respected.

11/10

13/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 97-435 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Record of 4-11 over fences includes a win at this course (2m4f); peak effort this term when third in the London National here (3m4f); on last winning mark and the return to Sandown is another plus; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1-5461

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who recorded a 10l success in the Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, soft) last month; big player on the back of that career-best performance, provided he's as effective returned to 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Dom Of Mary

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: James Owen

Trained by David Bridgwater to win the 2024 Sussex National at Plumpton and nearly win it last term, both on soft; has made a solid start for James Owen this term, notably with a strong-finishing win here (3m6f, good to soft) but he was also sixth in the Welsh National last time; each-way player.

7/1

19

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Dom Of Mary

10st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

First and a close second in last two runnings of the Sussex National at Plumpton (extended 3m4f, soft); turned for home with a place chance in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f; finished eighth) last time and 4m is worth a go, but this company looks too demanding.

50/1

19

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Dom Of Mary

10st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

First and a close second in last two runnings of the Sussex National at Plumpton (extended 3m4f, soft); turned for home with a place chance in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f; finished eighth) last time and 4m is worth a go, but this company looks too demanding.

50/1

Form: 01-P83 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury (3m2f) five weeks ago while shaping as if this drop back in trip will suit; only 1lb above last winning mark; enters calculations in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Bangers And Cash

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

This is his first run since April and he's improved for his reappearance run in each of the last two seasons; however, he returns with his stable in flying form and is on a competitive mark on his best efforts last term; won over 3m3f/3m4f in his 2022-23 campaign and not ruled out.

12/1

10

17th Nov 2024

Good

3m 3f 71y

Class 1

14:55 Cheltenham

Bangers And Cash

10st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

pressed leader early, midfield 5th, collapsed when pulled up after 14th, heart attack

12/1

Form: 1P1-14 D BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
3-6 over fences; useful form in a couple of notable handicaps this term, winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) then fourth at Ascot (3m, good); may still have further progress in him; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Blackjack Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Well treated on old form but his last win was in November 2023 and he's generally struggled since then; has something to prove and all of his wins have come on good to soft or slower.

12/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Blackjack Magic

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran quite well when fifth in valuable final of this veterans' series at Sandown (3m, good) in January but was well beaten there later that month and has become far too inconsistent to support with any confidence; tried in a visor for the first time.

11/2

4th

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Blackjack Magic

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.

14/1

7/1

Form: 433122 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish novice chaser who has performed well under a 7lb amateur rider at Doncaster (3m) and Musselburgh (2m4f) for new yard, finishing second both times; interesting off just 2lb higher with Harry Cobden taking over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Grozni

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

With James Owen for 18 months (Scottish National fourth in April) before joining this yard; Borders National win at Kelso (4m, soft) in December was his best form for nearly two years and he kept jumping to his right, so reverting to a right-handed track today may well help; back up 5lb but shortlisted.

9/2

5th

7

25th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:55 Kelso

Grozni

10st 6lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Only 1-10 (hurdles win) during his spell with James Owen but ran respectably in the Scottish National on last appearance; sold for £24,000 since; headgear removed; heed the market signals.

10/1

4th

18

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Grozni

10st 5lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: James Owen

Won over hurdles in December in a first-time visor, which he also wore next time and returns today; well held with first-time blinkers in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham one month ago, taking sixth in that 3m2f race for the second year running; new trip but he's not persuasive.

50/1

10/1

Form: P50-42 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
All wins at 3m but may ideally need further now, having raced mainly over extreme distances since last success; kept on for second at Haydock (3m4f, heavy) most recently; trip aside, his current mark is handy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:55 Market Rasen

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Veteran who was a very useful staying chaser in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; left behind in home straight at Doncaster (3m, good) five weeks ago and needs headgear switch to perk him up here.

10/1

4th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing.

20/1

4th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 12-PP7 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with good second in major 3m4f handicap at this venue; badly out of sorts this term but had an excuse (made a respiratory noise) last time; application of tongue-tie may prompt a turnaround.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Moroder

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Six-time chase winner who returned to form with a rallying second at Taunton (3m4f, good) last month; only 1lb higher here and has claims if he can build on that back in trip.

13/2

2nd

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Moroder

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Six-time chase winner but now appears to be on the downgrade; pulled up when bidding to win the Grimthorpe at Doncaster for the third time in February and was tailed off at Ascot (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; can only be watched at present.

12/1

4th

1

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 13y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Moroder

12st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Seamus Mullins

Ran no race in Doncaster's Grimthorpe last month (3m2f, soft; blinkers returned) and he had a good record in that race; did run quite well there the time before; unwise to focus too much on his reduced mark when clearly not the force of old, but he has returned to winning ways from out of the blue in the past, and he'll enjoy getting back on forecast good ground; earns respect.

12/1

Non-runners

Full Back, Kestrel Valley

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.80
Straight Forecast £50.09
Tricast £244.55
Trifecta £238.80

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Blackjack Magic

D Express:

Dom Of Mary

SPOTLIGHT:

Grozni

The Guardian:

Full Back

Telegraph:

Certainly Red

TOPSPEED:

Java Point

RP RATINGS:

Moroder

Daily Mirror:

Dom Of Mary

The Star:

Dom Of Mary

POSTDATA:

Grozni

Daily Record:

Grozni

The Times:

Blackjack Magic

Daily Mail:

Blackjack Magic

The Sun:

Blackjack Magic