15:42 Sandown

Saturday 1 February 2025

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:0715:4216:12

Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 6m 42.37s

Gelino Bello³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141| D

17/2

Smart form when winning 2 novice chases at the end of 2022 but very lightly raced since. Had wind op/off 23 months before a fair sixth of 10 in 3m Wincanton handicap hurdle 37 days ago. Can take a step forward back over fences.

Form: 111FP/6

Shan Blue^p⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| BF| D

12/1

Very smart chaser at best and, though winless since landing Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton in 2020, he shaped well when fourth at Bangor (24.1f, soft) on return. Below-par effort at Cheltenham last time so needs to bounce back.

Form: PP33-47

Escaria Ten^b⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 135| D

25/1

Very useful chaser in his pomp and returned to form for his current yard when fourth of 15 in handicap chase (80/1) at Cheltenham (29.2f, good to soft) 50 days ago. Not ruled out with blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

Form: P/6P0-P4

In d'Or¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133| D

7/2

French import who has improved for the switch to fences, scoring cosily in handicaps (around 3m) at Taunton and Ascot this winter. Has more to come and a big player in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 3120-11

Pats Fancy⁴²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 133| D

28/1

Developed into a useful chaser in 2021/22. Seen out only twice since (well held both times), however, and has another lengthy absence to overcome here.

Form: 11250/6-

Gustavian^t³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 126| D

9/2

It's now 12 runs since his last win in 2023 but he posted a very good second of 7 in handicap chase at Aintree (25f, soft) 37 days ago. Weighted to go well despite a 4 lb rise.

Form: 343-3P2

Dreaming Blue^b,t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125

14/1

Resumed winning ways at Ludlow in December and backed it up with a creditable fourth of 11 in handicap chase at Kempton (24f, good to soft) 36 days ago. In the mix with blinkers back on.

Form: 311-314

O'Connell³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 124| D

7/4

Has returned an improved model and bids for a hat-trick following handicap wins at Carlisle and Market Rasen (27.6f). Scored easily on latter occasion so not taken lightly despite a 9 lb weights hike.

Form: 224-811

Eden Du Houx^p,t³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 122| DWS

18/1

Doubled his tally in this sphere at Ffos Las back in November 2022 but lightly raced since and well below par both runs this term at Haydock and Chepstow. Needs a subsequent wind op to spark improvement.

Form: P2P/4-P4

Forecasts

O'Connell (7/4), In d'Or (7/2), Gustavian (9/2), Gelino Bello (17/2), Shan Blue (12/1), Dreaming Blue (14/1), Eden Du Houx (18/1), Escaria Ten (25/1), Pats Fancy (28/1)

Venetia Williams' IN D'OR is the youngest in this field and comes here on an upward curve so is fancied to defy a career-high mark and complete his hat-trick. Gustavian is weighted to have a big say on the back of his resurgent Aintree second and next on the list, although the thriving O'Connell is another to consider in his attempt to complete his own hat-trick.