March 08 / 16.45 Sandown

16.45

Good

betting.betfair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10406
  • 2m 4f 10y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
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betting.betfair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: -42922 C BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Has a win, two seconds and a third from just six outings at Sandown; ran close to his best when runner-up over C&D in February, keeping on from the rear; solid claims once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Classic Anthem

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.

3/1

9th

9

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Classic Anthem

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.

3/1

1st

7

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Classic Anthem

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Jim Boyle

Has a win, two seconds and a third from just six outings at Sandown; ran close to his best when runner-up over C&D in February, keeping on from the rear; solid claims once more.

9/2

13/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 5-2425 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Posted a personal best when 4l second of six at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft; made running) in December; has won over 2m4f but faded over that trip at Kempton (soft) last time; possibilities if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Issar dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Favourably treated with Martator on his beating of that rival in late 2023 and, when second to the Williams horse in this last year, he committed a good way from home; didn't really fire back in the spring but he's very able when fresh and worth a second look despite being 2lb wrong; Freddie Mitchell aboard for five of his last six races.

9/1

8th

12

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Issar dAiry

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Favourably treated with Martator on his beating of that rival in late 2023 and, when second to the Williams horse in this last year, he committed a good way from home; didn't really fire back in the spring but he's very able when fresh and worth a second look despite being 2lb wrong; Freddie Mitchell aboard for five of his last six races.

9/1

7

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

14:05 Fontwell

Issar dAiry

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

13/2

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 4-5341 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Made it three out of four on this course when responding well to first-time cheekpieces to win small-field event (1m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; a 2lb higher mark does not look insurmountable but his record beyond 2m1f is 0-12 so stamina could be an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Xcitations

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts.

7/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Xcitations

12st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.

9/4

2nd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Xcitations

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester.

4/1

Form: -64472 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Has done much of his racing recently around 2m but he stays 2m4f well and found only one too good over the trip at Kempton in February; well treated on the pick of last season's form; more appealing than most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Still on a good mark despite winning twice this season (2m/2m4f; soft/good) and was 11-2 for the veterans' final over C&D earlier this month, only to depart early; has a lot in his favour so merits each-way consideration.

16/1

12

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Triple Trade

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins this season (2m/2m4f, soft/good) and 10l third behind an 8yo and a 7yo at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January; 20l fourth in another competitive handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in February but that form is working out well and he's back against fellow veterans today; chance.

11/1

4th

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has a solid record (1313) over 2m/2m4f this season but gained the wins in Class 3 and finished 10l behind a couple of younger rivals, albeit not disgraced, in Class 1 at Cheltenham most recently; the 10yo looks under some pressure kept to this level.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4-4172 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
2m4f winner over hurdles and already a much better chaser; 10l winner at Southwell in December and hit a new high when beaten a head at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; pair clear) last month; open to further improvement and high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Theformismighty

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Held on well to exploit reduced mark in Newcastle handicap (2m7f, heavy) in January but was quickly back in the doldrums when pulled up (albeit in valuable race) at Doncaster last month; this hunter chase debut is much less competitive but it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task.

11/2

13

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Theformismighty

10st 9lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Exploited what was a very good mark at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) and the front two pulled clear; raised only 3lb for that but consistent he is not; others safer.

12/1

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Theformismighty

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Represents top southern stable and he's very well handicapped on last season's best form; could stage a revival at some point but he struggled in the autumn on his last three starts and there's also a stamina query.

8/1

Form: 22-344

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame on his last four starts but he's operating at a lower level than in the past, having no obvious excuses over 2m at Musselburgh (C&D winner) last month; has slipped to his last winning mark but others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Mint Gold

11st 1lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

Has made the frame on his last four starts but he's operating at a lower level than in the past, having no obvious excuses over 2m at Musselburgh (C&D winner) last month; has slipped to his last winning mark but others are preferred.

14/1

4th

5

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

15:35 Musselburgh

Mint Gold

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

towards rear, some headway 4 out, went fourth 2 out, no impression

12/1

4th

5

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

15:35 Musselburgh

Mint Gold

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

towards rear, some headway 4 out, went fourth 2 out, no impression

12/1

Form: -35P81 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Back to form in a first-time visor when scoring at Leicester (2m6f, soft) three weeks ago, but that didn't look much of a race and he's likely to find this tougher off his revised mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

No Tackle

10st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won in a refitted visor at Lingfield (2m6f) in November and runner-up on next three outings, which represents career-best form; still on a fair mark and drying ground won't bother him at all.

9/2

2nd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

No Tackle

11st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Two-time course winner, the latest here (2m6f, soft) last February, and got back on the scoresheet at Lingfield (2m6f, good) in November; runner-up on both starts since (2m6f, good to soft; here last time); solid candidate.

7/4

Form: P0-P2P

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Eventually lost his form over hurdles last season, and following a revival over fences at Exeter (2m1f) in December, he was pulled up (bled) at Kempton on Boxing Day; something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

8th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 3

16:45 Sandown

Fire Flyer

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Eventually lost his form over hurdles last season, and following a revival over fences at Exeter (2m1f) in December, he was pulled up (bled) at Kempton on Boxing Day; something to prove.

7/1

Non-runners

Game On For Glory

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.80
Straight Forecast £23.11
Tricast £176.54
Trifecta £157.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Classic Anthem

SPOTLIGHT:

Triple Trade

POSTDATA:

Theformismighty

D Express:

Xcitations

Daily Mail:

Classic Anthem

The Star:

Classic Anthem

Daily Record:

Classic Anthem

The Guardian:

Theformismighty

Daily Mirror:

Theformismighty

RP RATINGS:

Triple Trade

TOPSPEED:

Triple Trade

The Times:

Triple Trade

The Sun:

Xcitations