February 01 / 14.35 Sandown

14.35

Soft

Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 4f 10y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34

Form: 16-F11 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground; overall record is 6-8; campaigned in Grade 2 contests since switched to chasing, falling at Wincanton then winning at Sandown (3m) and Ffos Las (2m3f; only two finished); behind a couple of these opponents on ratings but he's progressive and adds interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Handstands

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2m4f Grade 1 novice chase winner last February; a couple of good runs in defeat this term, last time third of five at Windsor (2m6f, soft; first run after wind surgery), but he needs something extra today and there's a suspicion a shorter trip may be preferable; well beaten (over hurdles) on sole run here; cheekpieces go on.

11/1

3rd

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Handstands

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Concedes weight all round and he hasn't been able to recapture last season's abundant novice chase promise on his two outings this season; however, he's had wind surgery since last time, which may have helped, and he could be a contender if rediscovering the form shown when winning the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown last February (2m4f, heavy; made all).

4/1

2nd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

14:37 Carlisle

Handstands

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Lost touch after being hampered when one of the favourites for a 3m1f Grade 1 at the Grand National meeting; had won all his completed starts over fences, the pick when edging out subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy; versatile ground-wise); these terms are favourable despite top weight and he will be tough to conquer if on his game.

8/15

Form: 1222-1 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; solid performer whose overall record is 2112221; better off with Handstands on Listed novice hurdle running a year ago; impressive in Cheltenham novice chase (2m4f) on sole outing this term and the runner-up has advertised that form since; looks a high-class prospect in this sphere and commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Jango Baie

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Kept on for close third to Impaire Et Passe in the 2m4f Manifesto here 12 months ago and has improved for longer trips this season; very close fourth in thrilling finish to the King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December and 8l second in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft) last month; leading claims if that hard race 27 days ago hasn't left a mark.

5/6

2nd

8

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Jango Baie

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Came from behind to win the Arkle here (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago and, as could be anticipated, was well suited by the step up to 3m when a very close fourth behind The Jukebox Man and Gaelic Warrior in the King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December; of the four involved in that thrilling finish he arguably shaped as the one most likely to improve for today's stiffer test; seems versatile ground-wise; could play a leading role.

4/1

3rd

6

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Jango Baie

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Short-headed in Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) in February on second chase start and rallied from a very unpromising position to win the Arkle at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month; unraced on good ground; ran big races over hurdles on both visits here and he's a leading contender with the step back up in trip likely to be in his favour.

9/4

Form: 10P-21 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Flat/hurdles winner who bagged Grade 2 honours at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) last time on chase debut; however, has the worst chance on ratings upped further in class and lacks potential, having raced 33 times in total, which is higher mileage than all of these rivals combined.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

6th

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Mark Of Gold

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Experienced hurdler who won Grade 2 novice on chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and made it 2-4 over fences in warm little handicap at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time; ran well behind two of these in Grade 2 at Kempton in February but likely to be vulnerable in this company.

40/1

Form: 13-F11

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; overall record is 5-7; Grade 2 winner over hurdles; campaigned only at about 2m but he is bred to be suited by this new trip; has form figures of F11 since switched to fences, the wins in novice handicaps, latest at Cheltenham where he easily beat a subsequent scorer; improving 5yo who is a big player on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Kalif Du Berlais

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

jumped well, made all, soon pestered, increased tempo after 3 out, just over 2 lengths ahead 2 out, ridden run-in, ran on

100/30

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Kalif Du Berlais

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

jumped well, made all, soon pestered, increased tempo after 3 out, just over 2 lengths ahead 2 out, ridden run-in, ran on

100/30

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:35 Sandown

Kalif Du Berlais

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Acts on heavy; overall record is 5-7; Grade 2 winner over hurdles; campaigned only at about 2m but he is bred to be suited by this new trip; has form figures of F11 since switched to fences, the wins in novice handicaps, latest at Cheltenham where he easily beat a subsequent scorer; improving 5yo who is a big player on the figures.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.50
Straight Forecast £6.94
Trifecta £24.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jango Baie

TOPSPEED:

Kalif Du Berlais

WEST COUNTRY:

Handstands

The Times:

Kalif Du Berlais

The Guardian:

Kalif Du Berlais

Daily Mirror:

Kalif Du Berlais

Daily Record:

Kalif Du Berlais

Telegraph:

Handstands

The Star:

Handstands

RP RATINGS:

Jango Baie

POSTDATA:

Jango Baie

LAMBOURN:

Jango Baie

Daily Mail:

Jango Baie

D Express:

Jango Baie

The Sun:

Jango Baie