February 01 / 15.42 Sandown

15.42

Soft

Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 3m 0f 37y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

100/30 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 24-811 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Stable has been among the winners in recent weeks and he played his part at Carlisle (3m, soft) and Market Rasen (3m4f Lincolnshire National, good to soft) in December; the former win was by a short head and the latter easily by nearly 10l, left clear at the final fence when taking charge; he's up 9lb to easily career-high mark, and back to 3m, but highly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

OConnell

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Got on a roll last winter when completing a hat-trick (3m/3m3f) before a respectable, albeit remote, second in the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, good to soft); this race is a suitable fit but he now has to prove himself worthy of this high a mark.

8/1

3rd

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

OConnell

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Got on a roll last winter when completing a hat-trick (3m/3m3f) before a respectable, albeit remote, second in the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, good to soft); this race is a suitable fit but he now has to prove himself worthy of this high a mark.

8/1

3rd

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

OConnell

11st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Got on a roll last winter when completing a hat-trick (3m/3m3f) before a respectable, albeit remote, second in the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, good to soft); this race is a suitable fit but he now has to prove himself worthy of this high a mark.

8/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 11-314

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Probably no ground worries; won twice last spring and the return to a staying trip worked well when making all at Ludlow (3m1f) two months ago; respectable fourth at Kempton over Christmas; blinkers (worn on last three outings last season) return and he's not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Dreaming Blue

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, prominent 7th

15/2

15

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Dreaming Blue

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, prominent 7th

15/2

5th

5

8th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Dreaming Blue

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Three wins last year (2m2f-3m1f, heavy-good) and returned to his best with good second over C&D (heavy) last month in reapplied blinkers (retained); 2lb higher than last time and has solid claims.

5/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 12-011 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Ridden by his owner; soft-ground win over hurdles last term; major progress when switched to chasing this winter for small-field handicap wins over 3m at Taunton (good to soft) and Ascot (good); raised another 8lb but he's firmly on the upgrade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

In DOr

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

3m6f for the NH Chase at Cheltenham last March was his only attempt beyond 3m and he was below form; that was also his last run for Venetia Williams (bought for £220,000 in October at the David Maxwell dispersal) and he's been a good third this winter in 3m handicaps here and at Ascot; needs to build on that, as he's edging up the weights, but he's not fully exposed.

5/1

3rd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

In DOr

11st 11lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Bought for £220,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal prior to running well, only 2l behind Welcom To Cartries, at Sandown (3m, good to soft) on debut for new connections; this second-season chaser likely has further progress in him; sole attempt at Ascot resulted in a success in this race 12 months ago (good ground); big player back here.

4/1

6th

7

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

In DOr

11st 3lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Venetia Williams

Ridden by his owner; major progress when switched to chasing this winter for small-field handicap wins over 3m at Taunton (good to soft) and Ascot (good); found his revised mark at Sandown (3m, heavy) a bit too much in hat-trick bid but again ran well and staying beyond 3m may be possible.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6P0-P4 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
His last win was in 2020; third in the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021; ridden from the front when fourth of 15 on the Cheltenham cross-country (3m5f) seven weeks ago, which was his first competitive display for two years but others are still preferred today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Escaria Ten

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Hasn't won since Thurles beginners' chase win in 2020 for Gordon Elliott; some okay cross-country form in recent seasons, standout run this term when third in 3m6f Cheltenham handicap in January, tame enough Exeter effort latest when ground may have been on the quick side; others preferred.

14/1

4th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Escaria Ten

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Returned to form with creditable third in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, soft; refitted visor) in December and remains on a good mark but this veteran has become far too inconsistent to rely upon and may not be ideally suited by the forecast good ground here.

10/1

3rd

11

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Escaria Ten

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Looked out of sorts when pulled up here twice in the autumn (3m1f/2m4f; had wind op in between) and can't be supported with much confidence, but is now 10lb lower than when close fourth over C&D (soft) in December 2024; swaps blinkers for refitted visor.

20/1

Form: P/4-P4

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Close second over fences on his only start here; no win since 2022 and he's now 2-16 over fences, underperforming this term after 336 days off; given his fifth piece of wind surgery since and it's had a positive immediate response three times previously; bit more to prove over this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Eden Du Houx

10st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

midfield

11/1

Form: 5/0/6- D

Last run: 420 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Dual winner (latterly on soft) over nearly 3m at Chepstow in December 2021; he's thrown in on that form but had only one run in each of the last two seasons, when soundly beaten back at Chepstow in December 2022 and 2023, so he has a major question to answer over what ability remains on this return from another 420 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:10 Hereford

Pats Fancy

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Rebecca Curtis

Very useful chaser at his peak (last win was in 2021); not the force he was, but handicapped accordingly; fair fourth at Ffos Las in October (3m1f, soft; cheekpieces on for first time); not so good since (pulled up in Welsh National last time); blinkers now tried.

9/1

4th

1

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Pats Fancy

12st 2lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Very useful in his prime and has conditions to suit here but returned from long absence with three disappointing runs (albeit in good-quality races) towards end of last season; eased in grade and sports first-time cheekpieces for this reappearance run; revival needed.

20/1

Form: P33-47 D BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
A class act in his prime and still useful when close third in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good to soft) last February; two lesser runs this season, reportedly unsuited by the undulating track at Cheltenham (favourite) last time and he's been dropped another 4lb since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Shan Blue

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear, hit 1st

10/1

Form: 11FP/6 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Went chasing late in 2022, winning twice in very small fields but his jumping failed the test in 3m Grade 1 at Kempton next time; absent 698 days (minor tendon strain, also given wind surgery last July) before a satisfactory sixth under 5lb claimer in handicap hurdle this Christmas; 22-1 that day and it will be interesting to see his market strength this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Gelino Bello

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising start to chasing career in late 2022, and returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles this winter; yard won this last year and he has his sights lowered after tackling the Kim Muir last month, but he's now been pulled up over fences the last twice and has something to prove.

16/1

1

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Gelino Bello

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising start to chasing career in late 2022, and returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles this winter; yard won this last year and he has his sights lowered after tackling the Kim Muir last month, but he's now been pulled up over fences the last twice and has something to prove.

16/1

5

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Gelino Bello

11st 8lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in April 2022 and well treated on novice chase form from late 2022; returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles in December; heavy ground may have been too much over fences at Sandown last month but he was pulled up and others have less to prove.

33/1

Form: 43-3P2 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Just one win from his 20 chase starts and he can make mistakes, but he lost out by just a neck when front-running off almost a career-low mark at Aintree (3m1f, soft) last time; back up 4lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Gustavian

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Solid performances in notable handicaps this season, winning the Badger Beers at Wincanton then fourth in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown and Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years; respected back down in class.

9/4

4th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Gustavian

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Jumped well and dominated throughout in the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good; handles softer) and gave it another good go off this 8lb higher mark at Sandown; assured competition for the lead here has to reduce his appeal.

25/1

7th

7

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Gustavian

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, hit 5th

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.20
Straight Forecast £25.63
Tricast £78.84
Trifecta £86.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

O'Connell

WEST COUNTRY:

Dreaming Blue

The Times:

In d'Or

RP RATINGS:

Gustavian

POSTDATA:

Escaria Ten

TOPSPEED:

O'Connell

Telegraph:

O'Connell

The Guardian:

O'Connell

Daily Mail:

O'Connell

Daily Mirror:

O'Connell

The Sun:

O'Connell

The Star:

O'Connell

Daily Record:

O'Connell

D Express:

Dreaming Blue