February 01 / 14.00 Sandown

14.00

Soft

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 1m 7f 99y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.30
  • Place: £4.10

Form: 231-FP CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Turned in a rare stinker last time; looked a big threat when falling at Cheltenham in his only other run this term; however, this 10yo is on a career-high mark and looks held by Etalon on C&D form last February.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Gunsight Ridge

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mike Sowersby

Smart at his best for Olly Murphy but last season never got off the ground and he's moved yards.

10/1

6th

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Gunsight Ridge

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Had a disappointing season and usually goes well at Sandown where he disappointed last time; has since undergone a fourth wind operation.

7/2

7th

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Gunsight Ridge

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Olly Murphy

Below-par fourth at Cheltenham in both outings this term; however, has form figures of 1321 at Sandown, most recently winning this race (off current mark on heavy ground) last year; possibilities back here.

6/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 4-3123 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Record of 3-17 over fences, the most recent win at Haydock (2m) in November; lacked fluency there last time but ran respectably; faces a stiffer task from 5lb out of the weights back up in class.
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: 7-595U CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Chase career commenced with a hat-trick that culminated in C&D success (beat Gunsight Ridge by 9l) last February; 0-5 since (unseated rider last time) but returns to Sandown off a workable mark, having dropped back down the weights; good chance provided he's back in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Etalon

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time.

7/2

Form: -51113 D BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Good strike-rate over hurdles/fences in the last 12 months (all wins at about 2m); has form figures of 213 in this sphere, good third at Haydock (2m4f) most recently; 3-5 under Luke Scott; solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Classic Maestro

10st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Good second at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in January and ran well before fading into 14 third at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; however, his best form has come on soft/heavy ground and such conditions seem unlikely today.

15/2

3rd

2

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Classic Maestro

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Predictably struggled in Grade 1 Ascot Chase three weeks ago but looked as good as ever when second in good Sandown handicap (1m7f, soft) two starts ago and will be fine over today's trip; good chance.

9/4

Form: 226-04 C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:10 Kempton

Solo

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who appears to have regressed but heavy ground may have been too much at Sandown three weeks ago and prior to that he was a fair fourth at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); his two biggest wins have come at Kempton and he's one to consider now back here off a dangerous mark.

15/2

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

5th

3

1st Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:00 Sandown

Solo

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has gained both chase wins over 2m4f but ran creditably in the 2023 Haldon Gold Cup on last attempt at about 2m; faded into fourth over 2m3f on latest outing; possibilities off an attractive mark back down in trip.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1-1137 C BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Completed a five-timer last March-November, looking very progressive; unable to sustain that form the last twice but a stiff 2m5f possibly contributed to latest defeat; back down in distance, he's not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Martator

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Martator

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £76.50
Straight Forecast £81.34
Trifecta £225.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Etalon

RP RATINGS:

Classic Maestro

POSTDATA:

Martator

WEST COUNTRY:

Solo

TOPSPEED:

Classic Maestro

The Guardian:

Classic Maestro

The Times:

Etalon

Telegraph:

Etalon

Daily Mail:

Etalon

D Express:

Etalon

Daily Mirror:

Etalon

The Sun:

Etalon

The Star:

Etalon

Daily Record:

Martator