April 25 / 17.15 Sandown

17.15

Good

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 3f 178y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
RTV
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bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.20
  • Place: £4.00

Form: 905076 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Kept on for sixth of 21 in first-time visor at Aintree (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago and will be suited by this move back up in trip, but his last win came in 2022 and he's patently not the force of old.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

No Ordinary Joe

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Faye Bramley

Off a reduced mark he won over 2m4f on good ground at Sandown and some interference didn't help matters when well beaten off this 5lb higher mark in the Swinton; still well treated on old form.

14/1

13th

12

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

No Ordinary Joe

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Finally took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper when winning at Sandown (2m4f, good) two weeks ago, always in the firing line; still well treated on old form but he's not sure to be so effective back over this shorter trip.

18/1

1st

11

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

No Ordinary Joe

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Faye Bramley

Kept on for sixth of 21 in first-time visor at Aintree (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago and will be suited by this move back up in trip, but his last win came in 2022 and he's patently not the force of old.

12/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 8-2221 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat racer; runner-up on first three hurdle starts (all 2m) before cruising clear in four-runner Ascot maiden (2m3f, good) last month; could easily have more improvement to come in handicap hurdles; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Gnomon

10st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

Fairly useful Flat racer; runner-up on first three hurdle starts (all 2m) before cruising clear in four-runner Ascot maiden (2m3f, good) last month; could easily have more improvement to come in handicap hurdles; interesting.

7/2

1st

2

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

13:55 Ascot

Gnomon

11st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two Flat handicaps for Ralph Beckett; he's getting there over hurdles judged on his near miss at Taunton (2m, good) and this longer trip could trigger the improvement he'll need to trouble West Hill Verde.

9/4

2nd

4

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:40 Taunton

Gnomon

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Bumper winner who then won two handicaps on the Flat for Ralph Beckett, the latest at Haydock (1m6f, good to soft) in October; runner-up on both starts over hurdles, last time finishing 10l second at Kempton (2m, good; third has won since); contender.

3/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 114474 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent 7yo who recovered from a jumping error at third-last flight to take fourth in Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good) there weeks ago; also suited by 2m4f and this track; considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Fasol

12st 0lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who gave it a good shot from the front when third in competitive Sandown handicap (2m4f, good) last month; eased in grade here and will be fine over the shorter trip; major contender.

9/4

3rd

9

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Fasol

10st 5lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Largely consistent 7yo who recovered from a jumping error at third-last flight to take fourth in Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton (2m, good) there weeks ago; also suited by 2m4f and this track; considered each-way.

12/1

4th

8

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Fasol

10st 13lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Has won at this trip but last four runs have been over further and he hasn't kicked on from his Musselburgh win in January (2m4f, good to soft; 3lb lower); probably has little margin for error mark-wise and unlikely the same is true about some of his rivals.

25/1

Form: -33312 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Exploited reduced mark when winning quite comfortably at Ludlow last month and was one of two to pull clear of the others when second at Ascot (also 2m5f, good) ten days later; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Royal Way

11st 6lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won comfortably off reduced mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March and has also performed well on both outings since, more recently when fourth at Sandown (2m4f, good) nine days ago; ran poorly on only previous visit to Fakenham but still enters calculations.

12/1

4th

15

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Royal Way

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Exploited reduced mark when winning quite comfortably at Ludlow last month and was one of two to pull clear of the others when second at Ascot (also 2m5f, good) ten days later; no surprise if he features.

10/1

2nd

7

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 146y

Class 3

17:25 Ascot

Royal Way

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won sole start here; two years without a win after that but, with tongue-tie removed and second-time cheekpieces, he then obliged comfortably at Ludlow (2m5f, good) ten days ago; back up 6lb but has returned to serious calculations.

4/1

Form: 403-63

Last run: 15 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Seen only twice this season but posted career-best performance when close third of 22 at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, despite Tom Bellamy's saddle slipping after the last; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Favour And Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Seen only twice this season but posted career-best performance when close third of 22 at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago, despite Tom Bellamy's saddle slipping after the last; respected.

6/1

3rd

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Favour And Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Acts on any going; successful in major handicap at Ayr two years ago; his two attempts at Aintree were good efforts in the 2023 Formby (second to highly notable rival) and this race last year (finished third); each-way claims back here with Kempton reappearance under his belt.

11/1

6th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:10 Kempton

Favour And Fortune

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Won the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2m, soft) in April 2024 and showed he stays 2m4f when a good third of 20 at Aintree last spring; not ruled out but he'll need a career best to defy topweight after 11 months off.

13/2

Form: 131232 C

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won against his own age-group here (2m, soft; also suited by good) in December and has finished close up on all three outings since (1m7f-2m); must be considered on this first attempt at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(3)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

Across Earth

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Two hurdle wins late last year and he's held his form pretty well in that discipline, last seen six weeks ago; his last Flat race was in 2024 for his former yard and peak form that year (1m6f win) suggests this is a realistic mark.

6/1

6th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Across Earth

10st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won against his own age-group here (2m, soft; also suited by good) in December and has finished close up on all three outings since (1m7f-2m); must be considered on this first attempt at 2m4f.

5/1

Form: 112830

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Started off for new stable in excellent form in the autumn, winning at Kelso (2m6f, good) before big-field second at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft), but his progress has stalled a bit since; needs combination of last month's wind op and first-time tongue-tie to have positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Lucky Manifest

10st 7lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Started off for new stable in excellent form in the autumn, winning at Kelso (2m6f, good) before big-field second at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft), but his progress has stalled a bit since; needs combination of last month's wind op and first-time tongue-tie to have positive effect.

20/1

10th

11

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Lucky Manifest

11st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Made it 2-2 here on stable debut in October (2m6f, good) and close second of 18 at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) next time; hasn't run badly on either starts since and this lightly raced 6yo could benefit from the return to Kelso, but a career-best is needed and the drop to 2m isn't an obvious plus.

20/1

3rd

3

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

14:50 Plumpton

Lucky Manifest

11st 10lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Dual hurdle winner at Kelso, most recently in October (2m6.5f, good) on yard debut; followed that with a 1l defeat at Cheltenham (soft) in November before finishing a perfectly acceptable eighth of ten in a Class 2 there last month (3m); now back in trip but should give another good account.

2/1

Form: 25-1PP D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Returned from a break with narrow win at Uttoxter (2m4f, good) in October but pulled up on both starts since, latterly at last month's Cheltenham Festival; younger rivals have much more persuasive profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Dargiannini

11st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Returned from a break with narrow win at Uttoxter (2m4f, good) in October but pulled up on both starts since, latterly at last month's Cheltenham Festival; younger rivals have much more persuasive profiles.

50/1

18

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Dargiannini

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

A 9yo won it in 2019 but it's stretching the imagination to see this 11yo prevail, even though he did so at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in October and soft ground was a valid excuse at Newbury (2m4f) in November; off since.

50/1

Form: -43173 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Just held on to land big prize at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day but wasn't in quite the same form on next two outings (2m3f/3m) and probably needs to find hidden reserves.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Listentoyourheart

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Just held on to land big prize at Windsor (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day but wasn't in quite the same form on next two outings (2m3f/3m) and probably needs to find hidden reserves.

13/2

3rd

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 1

13:00 Kelso

Listentoyourheart

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Game when winning 2m4f handicap at Windsor (good) on New Year's Day, shaping as though she would be worth a crack at a staying trip; soundly beaten at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) since, and in view of this longer distance it's a concern she failed to settle that day, but she's not ruled out.

5/1

7th

7

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Listentoyourheart

10st 13lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has bits of form on soft, campaigned mostly on faster ground; steadily back to form this term and landed a valuable handicap, holding on by a neck, at Windsor (2m4f) most recently; should remain competitive.

6/1

Form: 771334

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Gained all six hurdle wins at around 2m but ran quite well when fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month; current mark is workable (even from 1lb out of the weights) and Sean Bowen takes over today; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

14:10 Cartmel

Tour Ovalie

11st 7lb

J: Miss Eleanor Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Resumed winning ways at Ludlow (2m) in December and in good form until finishing last of ten in 2m4f Sandown handicap four weeks ago; the sort who might bounce back though.

11/1

10th

16

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 178y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Tour Ovalie

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mrs C Williams

Gained all six hurdle wins at around 2m but ran quite well when fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) last month; current mark is workable (even from 1lb out of the weights) and Sean Bowen takes over today; could have a say.

16/1

4th

5

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:55 Chepstow

Tour Ovalie

11st 6lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Campaigned mostly at about 2m; record is 6-21, the most recent win at Ludlow in December; placed twice since, including at Newbury when ahead of Rula Bula; gives the impression this return to further is worth exploring.

6/1

Non-runners

Aurigny Mill, Trustintimes, Authorised Speed, Last Kingdom, Joltin N Jiving, Surrey Lord

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £75.90
Straight Forecast £66.06
Tricast £314.76
Trifecta £340.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gnomon

The Times:

Listentoyourheart

Telegraph:

Favour And Fortune

RP RATINGS:

Fasol

TOPSPEED:

Lucky Manifest

D Express:

Surrey Lord

Daily Mail:

No Ordinary Joe

The Guardian:

Gnomon

Daily Mirror:

Gnomon

Daily Record:

Gnomon

The Star:

Favour And Fortune

POSTDATA:

Fasol