January 04 / 12.40 Sandown

12.40

Soft

Unibet More Extra Places Than Ever Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 1m 7f 99y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Unibet More Extra Places Than Ever Handicap Chase

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 764-53 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Got a little tired on heavy ground at Haydock two weeks ago, nevertheless stepping up on reappearance effort; may be ready to hit top form and looks interesting back at Sandown; record of 2-3 over C&D includes a success (off 8lb higher) in this race two years ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Xcitations

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts.

7/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Xcitations

12st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.

9/4

2nd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Xcitations

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester.

4/1

Form: 111411 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Record of 6-7 since joining current stable, most recently scoring by wide margin at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) last Sunday, albeit task was made easier by the early departure of the favourite; incurs 5lb penalty in a slightly deeper contest but his progress may not have finished yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Beat Box

12st 6lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Anthony Ward-Thomas

Useful handicapper for Dan Skelton but looks regressive judged on his recent pointing exploits.

12/1

4th

4

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:34 Ffos Las

Beat Box

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway on outer before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

7/2

4th

4

11th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:34 Ffos Las

Beat Box

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

midfield, headway on outer before 4 out, weakened before 2 out

7/2

Form: 312-4P D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
2m wins for previous yards; easy to back and didn't seem beaten entirely by the 2m4f trip at Southwell last month on debut for Dan Skelton, who also runs Beat Box in this field; best watched unless the market signals suggest otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Salamanca Bay

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: L J Morgan

Free-goer who was useful in his prime and was in front before last-fence fall over C&D (good) on last month's stable debut; subsequent 2lb rise is manageable and, providing his confidence has not been affected, he's an obvious contender.

11/8

3

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Perth

Salamanca Bay

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Back in better form the last twice, then sold for £7,000; gained his sole chase win off 7lb higher and can't be dismissed on debut for another new yard (his fifth).

5/1

2nd

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Salamanca Bay

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Should be well handicapped and he ran well for a long way when a 4l third behind Jet Of Dreams at Chepstow (2m, good); perhaps went off a bit too hot that day and has to be of interest.

15/2

Form: 6-4287 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Flat winner in France and hurdles scorer in Ireland; no progress since switched to fences, well beaten at Down Royal most recently (burst a blood vessel); something to prove on debut for new stable and looks unfavourably treated to boot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Hypotenus

11st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Won a novice handicap chase at Taunton (2m, good) for Joe Tickle in January and fair third over same C&D next time; changed yards last month having had a wind op, and was a well-beaten third of three at Chepstow on stable debut (2m, good); hung right there so this track should suit better.

13/2

3rd

3

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

18:37 Chepstow

Hypotenus

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Able to dominate when cashing in a career-low mark at Taunton in January (2m, good), his sole win in 14 chasing starts; hasn't gone on since, but back to within 2lb of that figure now and one previous wind operation provoked a small spike in form; chance on first start for new yard.

11/4

3rd

2

19th Feb 2026

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:26 Huntingdon

Hypotenus

11st 6lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Joe Tickle

Off the mark at the 11th attempt over fences at Taunton (2m, good) in January, and he's run well on testing ground in the past; below par on his last two starts but drops back in grade today and could give a good account.

5/2

Form: 34-312 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread at Haydock (2m, soft) in November, beating a subsequent scorer; beat all bar the unexposed market leader at Chepstow last week, showing he remains in form; still on career-high chase mark but has a solid-looking chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Runs off a mark 10lb lower than when fifth of 14 in this last year, beaten just over 13l; he's run a couple of reasonable races this season but hasn't shown enough to suggest he's the one to be on today.

33/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Led close home to win this race off 5lb higher a year ago (soft ground) and was seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when third on both outings last month; made up considerable ground from the rear at Sandown (1m7f, soft) on latter occasion and has strong claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

15/8

3rd

9

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

11/2

Form: 129-32

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground; largely consistent chase record (2m-2m4f) commenced with a hat-trick; couple of creditable efforts this season, latest at Windsor where he beat all bar the unexposed market leader; solid contender who has possibilities off unaltered mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

15:40 Fontwell

Duhallow Tommy

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Four chase wins, the latest from the front off reduced mark at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in February; just a respectable third of five at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month but could be hard to catch if able to dominate here.

5/4

3rd

4

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:15 Wincanton

Duhallow Tommy

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Showed the benefit of a wind op when making all to exploit reduced mark at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) last month; went back up 8lb for that but this right-handed track should also suit; likely contender.

11/4

Form: 55-211 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Blossoming mare who has form figures of 211 since having wind surgery (maiden previously), the wins at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and Taunton (2m2f, good) in emphatic style by an aggregate of about 19l; gives the impression she'll cope with this new mark and step up in class; highly respected with further progress plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

15:37 Exeter

Ostrava Du Berlais

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Made encouraging seasonal debut over 2m4f in November but has been well beaten over that trip three times since; she's suited by good ground and can outclass this field if back on song but is unraced beyond about 2m5f and arrives with a fair bit to prove.

13/2

5th

2

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

Ostrava Du Berlais

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Dual chase winner in December 2024 and fairly consistent since, but she has struggled back up in class on last two starts, albeit they were some tough assignments; should appreciate this ease in class and she's capable of making her presence felt.

4/1

8th

8

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 42y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Ostrava Du Berlais

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Struggled in similar event at Cheltenham last time, ending a reasonably consistent spell of form; faces another difficult assignment and may need a return to calmer waters; gained her only wins in Class 4 and Class 5 in December 2024.

25/1

Verdict

Improving mare OSTRAVA DU BERLAIS (nap) recorded a useful RPR for the grade at Taunton last time and could well win again. Duhallow Tommy (second choice) and Dr T J Eckleburg hold solid claims, while 2023 winner Xcitations has clear possibilities despite his advancing years and progressive Beat Box warrants respect despite facing deeper competition this time.[Steve Boow]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ostrava Du Berlais

TOPSPEED:

Beat Box

D Express:

Xcitations

RP RATINGS:

Ostrava Du Berlais

Telegraph:

Ostrava Du Berlais

Daily Mail:

Ostrava Du Berlais

The Star:

Ostrava Du Berlais

Daily Record:

Ostrava Du Berlais

POSTDATA:

Beat Box

The Times:

Beat Box

The Guardian:

Beat Box

Daily Mirror:

Beat Box

The Sun:

Beat Box