January 04 / 15.35 Sandown

15.35

Soft

Free Bet With Unibet’s Betbuilder Rebound Handicap Hurdle (Challenger 2m Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 1m 7f 216y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Free Bet With Unibet’s Betbuilder Rebound Handicap Hurdle (Challenger 2m Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 04-P16 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Back to form when winning easily at Newbury (2m, good; acts on heavy) in November on stable debut; hampered early when behind off this 7lb higher mark at Ascot two weeks later; probably needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Aurigny Mill

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Goes well at Taunton where he won comfortably a month ago (2m, heavy; second run in cheekpieces), and has shown he can deal with this 3lb higher mark and this sort of ground; has won going left-handed and, with a strike-rate of 6-18 over hurdles, this 9yo is likable.

9/2

1st

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Aurigny Mill

11st 11lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Decent course record, including second in this last year off 4lb higher; showed himself none the worse for his chase debut fall at Kempton in November when third to Celtic Art over 2m3f here in first-time cheekpieces (retained) last month; claims if he can build on that; has won on heavy.

9/1

Form: PF-P70 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Bumper, hurdles and chase winner in Ireland for Paul Nolan but 2024 did not go well; peak efforts have been over longer trips than this and he did not show much under a 7lb claimer at Cheltenham (2m1f) last month on today's debut for new connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Joyeux Machin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Appreciated eased in grade at Bangor (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago, winning readily by 10l; contests deeper race here but probably still on workable mark after 5lb rise, and quicker ground also suits.

9/2

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Joyeux Machin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.

5/2

9th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Joyeux Machin

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: /3P8-2 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
His last win was in this race (soft) two years ago off 6lb lower; second in three of his seven races since, including at Carlisle five weeks ago on reappearance; considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Hardy Du Seuil

11st 10lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over hurdles in November and has done well on his belated return to fences, following a near-miss at Carlisle with a creditable third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February; still looks feasibly treated and he was a dual chase winner (2m/2m4f) in his youth; dangerous back up in trip.

15/2

3rd

2

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Hardy Du Seuil

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over hurdles in November and has done well on his belated return to fences, following his fourth at Haydock with a near miss at Carlisle (2m, good to soft); Isabelle Ryder again claims her 5lb and this 9yo is up 3lb in future.

9/2

2nd

4

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Carlisle

Hardy Du Seuil

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Won over hurdles at Windsor (2m, good to soft) in November and respectable fourth at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month on first chase start since March 2024; has run well on both visits here; might not be far away.

7/2

Form: 231-11 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Last three starts have seen him win a maiden at Wincanton, a novice at Bangor and handicap debut in a quite valuable event at Newbury, all over this sort of trip (soft/good to soft); 8lb rise demands more for sure but no shock if he continues on the upgrade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

13:15 Cheltenham

Navajo Indy

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Tom Symonds

Began last season in excellent form, notably when winning Gerry Feilden at Newbury (2m, good to soft); off since staying on to snatch third in William Hill Hurdle there (2m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February but, on that evidence, he's well worth another crack at 2m4f; no headgear today.

11/2

Form: F115-5 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
All nine races have been on softer than good, winning four; made a creditable and promising reappearance at Cheltenham (2m1f) three weeks ago, when 25-1 but threatening to take second approaching the final flight (finished fifth of 14); needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Spirits Bay

10st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Ran okay when seventh in this last year and he reappeared with a win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) in October; however, his subsequent form has been mixed (fences/hurdles) and Top Jimmy looks the yard's chief hope.

33/1

7th

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 104y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Spirits Bay

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made a winning reappearance in Newton Abbot handicap hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; switched to fences subsequently, matching his peak RPR over timber when fourth in 2m3f Exeter novice handicap (good to soft) five weeks ago; won his previous outing on heavy.

8/1

1

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

12:55 Warwick

Spirits Bay

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Two wins during his novice campaign included a handicap (2m, soft); 0-5 last season but ran well at the weights behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham in January and comfortably regained the winning thread on his reappearance at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; up 4lb but he's bred for fences and looks a player on debut in this sphere.

11/8

Form: 1-6434 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Claimer ridden for the last two seasons; has not found his peak form this season, particularly when back over fences on latest outing, but best efforts last winter make him look well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Zambezi Fix

12st 0lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Has been struggling for form since reappearing in October and offered little encouragement on April's return from just over two months off; has come a long way down in the weights and drops into a Class 5, but that's for good reason and he needs to turn things around.

12/1

6th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

14:15 Chepstow

Zambezi Fix

10st 7lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Bernard Llewellyn

All three hurdle wins have come over C&D but he failed to beat a rival here in December and was tailed off again at Ffos Las in January; overall record is now 4-48 and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

4

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Zambezi Fix

11st 11lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Veteran who is normally suited by Chepstow but failed to beat a rival back there last time; not particularly solid on his form this season.

20/1

Form: 10-21 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery prior to this season; second on hurdle debut at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) on reappearance and made all when 4-6 in a five-runner Listed novice race over C&D (soft) four weeks ago; this handicap debut demands plenty more but she should have plenty of potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 4F1 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Fell at the last in his point and did so again at Bangor (2m, good to soft; form boosted) in November when he would probably otherwise have made all; made amends in some style when 8-11 in maiden at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last month and he's a promising handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Oh My Johnny

11st 10lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Dual hurdle winner who was placed in a big field at Ascot on his penultimate run and he backed that up with a front-running at Warwick (3m2f, good to soft) three weeks ago; remains on last winning mark and he should go well again back in trip.

6/1

3rd

7

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:13 Warwick

Oh My Johnny

10st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Last win was off this mark; no closer than about 9l this season but was third of 18 tried in cheekpieces at Ascot three weeks ago (extended 2m7f, good to soft) and he should give his running.

4/1

3rd

10

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 123y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Oh My Johnny

11st 5lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Scored off today's mark at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft) a year ago, his second handicap, but made his jockey work very hard before eventually plugging on for modest second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in December and was pulled up on latest outing; needs first-time cheekpieces to perk him up.

20/1

Form: P3-U22 D BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Consistent novice last season bar one blip and he's been runner-up in handicaps here (made most) and at Wincanton (on soft; rallied gamely) in his two completions this term; should give his running but needs extra to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Jour DEvasion

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completed this season's hat-trick over shorter trips, in lower grades and on softer surfaces; won over a similar trip to this over hurdles but on soft ground that seems to suit him ideally; a good-ground renewal of the Grand Annual proved far too tough last month.

10/1

16

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jour DEvasion

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

3-4 over fences, the wins coming over 2m1f/2m on heavy/good to soft; clearly knows how to get the job done and he's on an upward curve, but he's 5lb higher than for a narrow win in a small field at Warwick last time and today is a much tougher test of his credentials.

16/1

1st

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Jour DEvasion

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Bang-in-form 7yo who ended 2025 with convincing wins at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) and Chepstow (2m, good to soft); shooting up the weights but won't mind what the weather does here and commands respect in current mood.

6/4

Verdict

Most of these demand clear enthusiasm but the vote goes to OH MY JOHNNY whose last two runs in novice/maiden company contained plenty of promise. He looks on a better mark than fellow handicap newcomer Honky Tonk Highway and the chief threat may come from Spirits Bay who shaped nicely on his Cheltenham reappearance before running out of steam. Navajo Indy is on a four-timer after taking the Gerry Feilden at Newbury on his handicap debut.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Oh My Johnny

Telegraph:

Navajo Indy

POSTDATA:

Aurigny Mill

TOPSPEED:

Jour d'Evasion

Daily Mirror:

Spirits Bay

LAMBOURN:

Hardy Du Seuil

RP RATINGS:

Oh My Johnny

WEST COUNTRY:

Oh My Johnny

The Times:

Oh My Johnny

D Express:

Oh My Johnny

The Star:

Oh My Johnny

Daily Mail:

Navajo Indy

The Sun:

Navajo Indy

Daily Record:

Navajo Indy

The Guardian:

Aurigny Mill