January 04 / 13.15 Sandown

13.15

Soft

Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £10406
  • 2m 3f 173y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 44-334 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Veteran, two of whose nine wins came over C&D on soft; no score since latest of those in March 2023 but penultimate start showed that he's still pretty useful; near 3m combined with heavy going may help to explain a lesser show here on latest; not impossible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

West To The Bridge

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grand servant to the yard with 11 hurdles wins; did what he's been doing for years by bouncing back to exploit a falling mark on his favoured testing ground at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in January; most tenacious and impossible to dismiss off 3lb higher.

10/1

1st

1

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

West To The Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Long in the tooth now and not the force of old but was nudged up only 1lb for last month's clear second in refitted cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) and ought to be better suited by this slower ground.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 407-5P

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Staying-on fourth in a top handicap at Newbury (2m, heavy; 3lb lower today) last February but has not fired in the same way over this sort of trip since; it was his chase debut on reappearance and being so slowly away in a troubled start saw him pulled up after the first flight when back over hurdles on Boxing Day; second favourite in the latter and interesting again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Doddiethegreat

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) last March and some respectable runs in Grade 2s this term; wore blinkers when pulled up in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and is back in his usual cheekpieces this afternoon, but he still has something to find.

28/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Doddiethegreat

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Final Handicap over C&D (good to soft) last March and he's performed respectably in Graded races this term, most recently third of six over C&D behind Ma Shantou and Impose Toi (soft; jockey dropped whip after final flight); it's possible he'll produce his best performance of the season now he's back into a bigger field over a C&D that clearly suits, but he'll probably still come up short; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3rd

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:35 Cheltenham

Doddiethegreat

11st 6lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Nicky Henderson

Won the Pertemps Handicap Final over C&D (good to soft) at the Festival last March; he has something to find with Impose Toi and Strong Leader on the evidence of this season's three outings but he's been running pretty well and the return to Cheltenham may be a positive; not ruled out each-way.

7/1

Form: 23U-28 C

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Ran some creditable races in defeat in the spring over 2m4f in the mud; however, he bled when tailed off here on reappearance in November.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Monviel

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

prominent, pressed leaders briefly 3 out, kept on from 2 out

5/2

3rd

6

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Monviel

10st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Finally exploited his much reduced mark when coming clear at Ffos Las a month ago (2m4f, good to soft), where he reportedly appreciated the drying ground; a 5lb rise might not prevent him from following up.

5/2

1st

3

6th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ffos Las

Monviel

11st 10lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

All three wins in 2022; twice second in the mud at Uttoxeter (2m4f) last spring but well beaten all five starts from November onwards, even when the cheekpieces returned back at Uttoxeter on latest; another career-low mark.

7/1

Form: 4/1165 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Long absence before winning twice at Fontwell this autumn; however, soundly beaten at Ascot and Sandown in his two starts since; very lightly raced for his age, below form both starts on worse than good to soft and unraced beyond 2m3f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Stream Of Stars

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two Fontwell wins (2m3f/2m1f) last autumn and started this season in good style when making all at Bangor (2m, good) in May, providing Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies with their first winner together; bound to give it another good go.

5/2

3rd

1

4th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Stream Of Stars

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two Fontwell wins (2m3f/2m1f) last autumn and started this season in good style when making all at Bangor (2m, good) in May, providing Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies with their first winner together; bound to give it another good go.

5/2

1

17th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Stream Of Stars

12st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from long absence with two Fontwell wins (2m3f/2m1f) last autumn and ended last season with very respectable second at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; still on a good mark and will be suited by the quicker ground here; likely contender.

11/4

Abandoned

Form: 13/6-2 D BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Ran just once last season and absent 395 days before his second of six at Wetherby (2m4f, good to soft; favourite) in November this term; no match for the winner that day but he might be able to build on that display, as his old form was better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Hourvari

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

raced in second, pressed leader with one circuit to go, led 7th, went clear going easily after 2 out (usual 3 out), eased towards finish, canter

5/4

1st

2

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:15 Southwell

Hourvari

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

raced in second, pressed leader with one circuit to go, led 7th, went clear going easily after 2 out (usual 3 out), eased towards finish, canter

5/4

5th

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:23 Uttoxeter

Hourvari

12st 0lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

slowly away, raced in last but in touch with leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off

15/8

Form: 4/124/ D

Last run: 706 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Impressed on hurdling debut at Chepstow (near 2m4f, good to soft) and creditable second at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) before 2m2f on good looked too short at Fontwell; this race comes after 706 days off but he's interesting if there's market strength behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

16:25 Haydock

Firestream

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Maiden/handicap wins for Anthony Honeyball; long absences a feature in his profile but there were positives at Uttoxeter last month (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) where he ran well for a long way; stays this far; chance if the wheels can stay on.

15/2

5th

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Firestream

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Chester Williams

Won twice over hurdles for Anthony Honeyball; pulled up on his stable debut following a year's absence at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) three weeks ago; first-time cheekpieces go on but hard to fancy.

25/1

7

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Firestream

10st 8lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Maiden winner here who returned from 718 days off to score on handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last January; there was some awkward jumping that day and again when creditable third in this race next time; absent since, has changed hands and left Anthony Honeyball; it may not be enough even if he returns in peak form.

7/1

Form: 9123-8 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Usually competitive, not on last two starts but absent 254 days in between and he might have needed the latest run when returned to hurdling (first time since April 2022) from chasing; best results at sharper tracks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

15th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:32 Kempton

Dibble Decker

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Added to his fine Huntingdon record when runner-up over 2m4f (good to soft) 13 days ago; claims if showing up in similar form.

7/2

2nd

7

2nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

15:52 Huntingdon

Dibble Decker

10st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Could so easily have been chasing a hat-trick in this race having won it two years ago and gone down by just a neck to Lounge Lizard last year; returns again on a competitive mark and he wasn't far away last time at Ludlow despite some mistakes; respected.

7/2

5th

1

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Dibble Decker

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

prominent

6/1

Form: P2-602 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Back hurdling (from chasing) on last three starts; down the weights (14lb below his peak) when second at Lingfield over an extended 2m3f on soft on latest outing; needs to build on that but it gives renewed hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Fine Casting

12st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Below par when returning to hurdling at Southwell (2m4f, good) in March; has dropped 2lb since finishing fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on his most recent chase start and has claims if able to reproduce the form of that or his Bangor success (2m4f, soft) last November; acts on a sound surface.

10/1

3rd

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Fine Casting

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Good and bad since returned to fences (1P4); runs off a lower hurdles mark but he is a 10yo and without a win in this discipline since 2022.

6/1

Form: 4-4738 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Hit top form as a chaser once (January 5th) last season and not disgraced when third of seven over hurdles at Uttoxeter in November this term, both over 2m4f on soft; needs to bounce back from a poor show at Warwick and cheekpieces (tried once in 2021, pulled up) return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Ballybegg

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Dual C&D winner; went close off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this regressive 10yo was soundly beaten over fences when last in action and would appeal much more on slower ground.

25/1

3

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Ballybegg

12st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Inconsistent 10yo who was well beaten when back over fences in May (2m6f), then unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his most recent start at Newton Abbot last month when a well-held third of six; on a good mark if the mood takes him now back up to a more suitable test.

10/1

3rd

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

19:55 Newton Abbot

Ballybegg

11st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Went close over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this inconsistent and steadily regressive 10yo was well beaten when back over fences last month (2m6f); drops back to about 2m for first time since hurdle debut in 2020; has done all his winning on ground slower than good.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 1P6-12 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won at Ffos Las over fences (near 2m4f, heavy) last February and over hurdles (2m6f, soft) in November; runner-up over C&D (heavy) four weeks ago, so she returns here having been in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Casts Tasha

10st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Clarke

Had a near miss at Leicester in December (2m4f, soft) but now has to bounce back from three lesser efforts; wears a first-time visor.

20/1

7th

5

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

16:30 Newbury

Casts Tasha

11st 13lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Clarke

Has performed moderately the last twice but her near miss behind One Eye On Vegas at Leicester in December (2m4f, soft) brings her into this; hard to be confident about her chances, though.

25/1

5th

2

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Casts Tasha

12st 1lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Ben Clarke

Campaigned mostly over further (stays 2m6f); ran poorly last time, failing to back up her reappearance effort; 2-2 at Ffos Las but this drop back in trip presents a question mark.

10/1

Verdict

Cast’s Tasha has been in top form, Fine Casting’s fortunes took a turn for the better last time and West To The Bridge should also run well. However, the most interesting candidates may be Doddiethegreat, whose late gains in the Betfair Hurdle last February are not yet forgotten, and FIRESTREAM. The big issue with the latter is his 706-day absence but the market should give clues to what’s expected and he would bring plenty of positives if all is well.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Firestream

TOPSPEED:

Fine Casting

Telegraph:

Hourvari

RP RATINGS:

Doddiethegreat

The Sun:

Cast's Tasha

Daily Mail:

Monviel

D Express:

Dibble Decker

Daily Record:

Hourvari

WEST COUNTRY:

Firestream

The Times:

Firestream

The Guardian:

Firestream

LAMBOURN:

Doddiethegreat

POSTDATA:

Fine Casting

Daily Mirror:

Fine Casting

The Star:

Fine Casting