16:45 Sandown

Saturday 26 April 2025

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:48 | Winning time: 4m 52.97s

Bunting¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

9/2

Fairly useful Flat winner in France and proved a useful juvenile hurdler for this yard. Best run in a handicap when sixth of 12 in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last month, not ideally placed given how the race panned out. Could have a big say if he can settle back up in trip.

Form: 479-2P6

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King Alexander⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135| D

18/1

Useful handicap hurdler who made a successful start for Willie Mullins (formerly with Nicky Henderson) in 3m Fairyhouse event in January. Struggled faced with much more competitive scenarios at Leopardstown/Cheltenham since and may likely prove vulnerable to better handicapped rivals again.

Form: 17-8190

Push The Button^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135| D

18/1

Has run creditably in some big handicaps this year, staying on into sixth after hitting trouble in the Martin Pipe and filling the same position when suited by the return to 3m at Aintree last time. Can give another good account but we may see the best of him over fences.

Form: 5P2066

Dr Eggman¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 133

12/1

Off the mark over hurdles in 17-runner maiden at Limerick prior to finishing runner-up (having enjoyed an easy lead) in a Cheltenham novice 10 days ago. Bit to find on bare form but remains open to improvement on handicap debut.

Form: 243-212

Electric Mason⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 130

10/1

Bumper winner who has landed maiden/novice hurdles at Fontwell this winter. Useful effort when fifth of 7 in Grade 1 Challow at Newbury. He's better than he showed in the Martin Pipe (finished well-held) but may prove best in staying chases next year.

Form: 213510

Jump Allen^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: W P Mullins| OR: 128

5/1

An impressive winner of big-field handicap hurdle at Naas (19.5f) in March and ran about as well in defeat when runner-up at Ayr (3m) the following month. Hard to rule out a lightly-raced one from this yard.

Form: 154312

Ike Sport^p,h,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128| CD

4/1

Won this race in emphatic style in 2024 and is slowly coming back down the weights. Shaped encouragingly when staying on to finish fifth in a big field Aintree handicap last time, having been caught too far back. Hood he wore that day is retained and looks set to make another bold bid.

Form: F5P405

Peacenik⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 124| BF

33/1

Exeter novice winner posted his best effort when third in a Grade 2 Novices' Hurdle at Haydock on penultimate run, despite novicey mistakes. Again jumped less than fluently when below form behind a promising rival last time. Will need to improve his jumping over the longer trip on handicap debut.

Form: 22-4132

Mostly Sunny^p⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 109

10/3

Following a quiet season bounced back to full effect in first-time cheekpieces when winning at Plumpton (20.5f) on Monday, travelled well and won with a bit in hand. Carries a 6 lb penalty but could still be well in. Merits plenty of respect.

Form: 205751

Got Grey^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 113| BF

16/1

Won 2m handicaps at Stratford and Bangor at the end of last summer. Lost his way early this season but bounced back with tongue tie refitted/Harry Skelton back aboard when finishing a well backed runner-up at Haydock (15.7f) last week. One to be interested in back up in trip.

Form: 645492

Forecasts

Mostly Sunny (10/3), Ike Sport (4/1), Bunting (9/2), Jump Allen (5/1), Electric Mason (10/1), Dr Eggman (12/1), Got Grey (16/1), King Alexander (18/1), Push The Button (18/1), Peacenik (33/1)

MOSTLY SUNNY looked right back to his best when winning at Plumpton on Monday and he can defy a 6 lb penalty for title-chasing Dan Skelton. Winner of this race in 2024, Ike Sport shaped encouragingly at Aintree last time and looks set to make a bold bid to defend his crown, while Got Grey also looks to be coming to the boil at just the right time.