March 09 / 16.10 Sandown

16.10

Soft

Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £10406
  • 3m 0f 37y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.60

Form: -17332 D BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Finished a fine third in Listed chase at Newbury (2m7f, soft) and filled the same position in Plumpton's Sussex National (3m4f) 18 days later; found only one too good in the Grand Military Gold Cup over C&D (soft) last time despite being hampered and losing a shoe; solid claims.
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

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: PP-3P5

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Failed to beat a rival in four runs in 2023 but showed signs of a revival when 7l fifth of nine at Ascot (3m, good to soft; 25-1) three weeks ago; dropped another 2lb and not without a chance if building on that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

2

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd

14/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1-P834 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has got better with each run this season, fading only late on when fourth of eight over C&D (good) five weeks ago; has since had wind surgery; back to his last winning mark and unlikely to be far away.
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: 13-P34

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Two wins in smallish fields at Wetherby (1m7f/2m3f) last season but ran poorly on the same course last time; needs to bounce back from that and also has stamina to prove over today's much longer trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

5th

5

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

13:30 Wetherby

No Risk Des Flos

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear, not fluent 5 out, brief headway 4 out, soon no impression

11/4

4

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 3

12:22 Southwell

No Risk Des Flos

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-6 during his last campaign but he dropped down the weights and returned with encouraging second to a handicap blot at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft); could build on that latest run and he's one to consider.

7/2

Form: 152/62 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
0-7 over fences but ran creditably when 8l second of nine over C&D (soft) three weeks ago; Harry Cobden, riding for the first time, is a positive booking; impossible to rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Trincomalee

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

Solid record at about 3m and improved for the step up to 3m5f when winning Fakenham's Norfolk National (good; effective on soft) by more than 5l after travelling strongly throughout; effectively 13lb higher now as he's gone up 6lb and they claimed 7lb last time, so that asks a question of him.

9/4

1st

5

7th May 2024

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Trincomalee

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Lucy Wadham

travelled strongly, towards rear, midfield 4th, went second 16th, not fluent when led 2 out, soon went clear, mistake last, ridden when jockey dropped whip on turn before last, kept on

9/2

1st

5

7th May 2024

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:20 Fakenham

Trincomalee

11st 4lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Lucy Wadham

travelled strongly, towards rear, midfield 4th, went second 16th, not fluent when led 2 out, soon went clear, mistake last, ridden when jockey dropped whip on turn before last, kept on

9/2

Form: /923P- D

Last run: 357 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Has not had much racing since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021, running respectably twice last winter but beaten some way out in the Midlands National when last seen in March; well handicapped but seems fragile and probably best watched after nearly a year off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Secret Reprieve

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing, or recaptured his form, since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021; 2lb lower today, even from 5lb out of the handicap; two places last winter but pulled up in the 2023 Midlands National and well beaten behind Ballygriffin Cottage at Sandown when next seen nearly a year later.

66/1

25

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Secret Reprieve

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing, or recaptured his form, since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021; 2lb lower today, even from 5lb out of the handicap; two places last winter but pulled up in the 2023 Midlands National and well beaten behind Ballygriffin Cottage at Sandown when next seen nearly a year later.

66/1

6th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Secret Reprieve

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021, running respectably twice last winter but beaten some way out in the Midlands National when last seen in March; well handicapped but seems fragile and probably best watched after nearly a year off.

16/1

Form: 14F-56 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; 4-12 over fences, the latest win gained off 2lb higher over C&D (good to soft) in February 2023; shaped as if retaining all his ability at Doncaster on reappearance, and less positive tactics seemed to backfire over a longer trip at Musselburgh next time; should have optimum conditions here and he's high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Castle Robin

11st 5lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Strike-rate of 4-14 over fences but has seen very little action during the past three years and now returns from an even lengthier absence at the age of 11; potentially very well handicapped should market vibes bode well.

8/1

5th

2

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 3

15:30 Warwick

Castle Robin

11st 12lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

led, headed before 14th, soon prominent, lost ground after 3 out, weakened from 2 out

11/2

7th

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Castle Robin

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Front-runner; 4-12 over fences, the latest win gained off 2lb higher over C&D (good to soft) in February 2023; shaped as if retaining all his ability at Doncaster on reappearance, and less positive tactics seemed to backfire over a longer trip at Musselburgh next time; should have optimum conditions here and he's high on the list.

11/2

Form: /71-35 D

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Ran respectably in two 3m events at Ascot towards the end of last year, fifth of ten in valuable contest on second occasion; requires more if he's to return to winning ways but drying ground would help his cause (all successes on good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Switch Hitter

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: S Loxton

Very useful over fences in his prime for Paul Nicholls; last rules win was over two years ago but he's won points in his last three starts including a comfortable success (3m, good to firm) ten days ago; looks a major player now back in this sphere and yard won this in 2023 and 2024.

4/7

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 4

17:00 Exeter

Switch Hitter

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: S Loxton

Very useful over fences in his prime for Paul Nicholls; last rules win was over two years ago but he's won points in his last three starts including a comfortable success (3m, good to firm) ten days ago; looks a major player now back in this sphere and yard won this in 2023 and 2024.

4/7

5th

1

20th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

16:43 Newton Abbot

Switch Hitter

12st 8lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful handicap chaser on good ground when on song; pulled up on consecutive outings at end of last season and needs to prove his wellbeing, but is in much calmer waters for today's hunter chase debut.

4/6

Form: 15-660

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Second-season chaser who shaped with some encouragement in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on reappearance but has disappointed twice since; slipping in the weights but needs to rediscover his spark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Easy As That

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Second-season chaser who shaped with some encouragement in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on reappearance but has disappointed twice since; slipping in the weights but needs to rediscover his spark.

9/1

12th

9

27th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Easy As That

10st 9lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, lost position and midfield after 3rd, dropped to last 10th, mistake 11th, bad mistake 5 out

9/1

6th

8

16th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Easy As That

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won emphatically at Haydock (2m5f, soft) and Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last season and looked ready for a step up in distance when a never-nearer sixth of 14 to Stage Star in the 2m4f Paddy Power here on reappearance; bred to relish today's extra yardage (he's out of a half-sister to the high-class staying jumper Time For Rupert) and looks a fascinating candidate at the bottom of the weights.

9/2

Form: 21-P4P D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Non-runners

Surrey Quest

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.30
Straight Forecast £40.23
Tricast £140.32
Trifecta £170.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Rose Of Arcadia

SPOTLIGHT:

Castle Robin

POSTDATA:

Trincomalee

Daily Mail:

Bangers And Cash

D Express:

Bangers And Cash

WEST COUNTRY:

Rose Of Arcadia

The Guardian:

Rose Of Arcadia

The Sun:

Rose Of Arcadia

Daily Record:

Rose Of Arcadia

TOPSPEED:

Castle Robin

Telegraph:

Castle Robin

Daily Mirror:

Castle Robin

The Times:

Trincomalee

The Star:

Trincomalee