16:45 Sandown

Saturday 8 March 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

betting.betfair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 20.2s

Issar D'Airy^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130| D

11/1

Dual Newbury winner at around 2m last winter who matched reappearance form in first-time cheekpieces when second at Cheltenham (16.3f) in December. Weakened out of things when fourth in handicap at Kempton (20.5f) 4 weeks ago but boasts winning form at this trip and likely to bounce back.

Form: 55-2425

Theformismighty^t,p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| D

13/2

Hurdles winner who, as anticipated has improved for switch to chasing, opening account equipped with cheekpieces in handicap at Southwell (20.4f) in December. Below best next time but quickly back on the up when chasing home another improver at Wetherby (19.4f) 24 days ago. Considered.

Form: 14-4172

Fire Flyer⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126

10/1

Dual novice hurdle winner at up to 19f last winter. Didn't kick on in handicaps but sound start in this sphere when runner-up in novices' handicap at Exeter (17.5f) in December. Reportedly bled when pulled up at Kempton on Boxing Day and too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 1P0-P2P

Xcitations^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 125| C

10/1

10-y-o who loves it around here, capitalising on his reduced mark as he took his course record to 3 wins from 4 starts in 4-runner handicap chase (15.5f) 23 days ago. Nudged up only 2 lb on back of that but he does tend to do most of his running at the minimum trip nowadays.

Form: 64-5341

Triple Trade^t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 124| D

10/3

4-time winner over fences who bettered previous exploits this season tried tongue tied when second of 10 in handicap chase at Kempton (20.5f) 4 weeks ago, sticking at it behind one enjoying a fine season. Definitely worth a second look from this mark.

Form: 5-64472

Classic Anthem²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: J R Boyle| OR: 118| BF| C

2/1

Expensive point recruit who tasted success over hurdles here and solid start over larger obstacles, finding only one too good for third time in a C&D handicap 23 days ago. Of interest having eased 1 lb ahead of this.

Form: 8-42922

Mint Gold^t³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117

16/1

Veteran chaser who resumed with a good third at Carlisle (2m) in October. Not disgraced in form terms without going with much zest both starts at around 2m since and percentage call to look elsewhere now returning to this longer trip.

Form: F22-344

No Tackle^v²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 111| D

8/1

Hurdles/chase scorer who went with more zest in change of headgear when a convincing winner of 6-runner Leicester handicap chase (22.7f) 23 days ago. However, strength of that form is dubious and this a much taller ask up in class.

Form: F-35P81

Non-Runners

Game On For Glory¹⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 9

T: L Wadham J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Classic Anthem (2/1), Triple Trade (10/3), Theformismighty (13/2), No Tackle (8/1), Xcitations (10/1), Fire Flyer (10/1), Issar D'Airy (11/1), Game On For Glory (14/1), Mint Gold (16/1)

CLASSIC ANTHEM lines up having again run well when a staying-on second in a C&D handicap 23 days ago, in the process leaving the impression a switch to more forcing tactics would see him in an even better light. He's of interest again from this mark and earns the vote. Triple Trade and Theformismighty may be the pair to give him most to think about in the finale.