14:55 Sandown

Friday 5 December 2025

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 3 | 3m 42y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 133| D

Improved for switch to fences last term, winning twice prior to a good third over this C&D. Early mistake didn't help but still performed well when sixth of 18 upped to 3¾m in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen in March (subsequently changed yards).

Form: 20/1136-

Welcom To Cartries^t⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

13/2

Useful hurdler and achieved a similar level of form in pair of Graded events switched to fences at end of 2024. Creditable second back hurdling at Newbury on final run of last season, but was never travelling tried in cheekpieces (now discarded) returned to this sphere at Cheltenham in October.

Form: 28/442-6

Champagne Twist²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 129| C| D

7/2

Irish point winner who bagged a Grade 3 novices' handicap hurdle here in March 2024. Last season didn't go to plan (unseated rider on return then well below par next 2 starts), but back on track when 2 lengths third to Hidden History (now 2 lb worse off) on return/chase debut at Aintree (25f, good).

Form: 19/U09-3

Hidden History²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

15/8

Point winner who justified support to make a winning debut for the Skeltons in a strong Uttoxeter handicap hurdle in March. Perfect start to chase career when accounting for 5 rivals (including the re-opposing Champagne Twist) at Aintree last month and there should be better to come from this 7-y-o.

Form: 1/7212-1

Java Point^t²³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: Lemos Souza| OR: 127| CD

12/1

Latest success was gained off 1 lb lower over this C&D in February 2024 and again put in a good shift here when going close in a qualifier for this series in March. Efforts either side of that were not so good, but he wouldn't be without each-way hope if at his best on this debut for new yard,

Form: 5/24P24-

Tommy The Tank²⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond| T: R & J & J Insole| OR: 122| BF| D

8/1

Point winner who built on promise of first 2 starts in maiden hurdles when landing the odds in good style at Hereford (25.5f, good to soft). Ruined his chance by hanging/jumping right at Fontwell on latest start in March and this return to a right-handed track will help now switched to fences.

Form: 1/2214-

New Order^h,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 122| C| D

9/1

Winner of 3 of her 4 starts in handicap chases following a wind op last season, including over 2½m here in March. Beaten a long way on return at Bangor, but he looked in need of the run that day and better can be expected this time, with the step back up in trip no problem (has won over 3m).

Form: 61711-5

Ideal Des Bordes^b1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 118| D

9/1

Progressed to make a successful chase debut at Wincanton in January and followed that with a good second at Kempton the following month. However, he has proved rather disappointing in 4 subsequent starts and hopes now pinned on the first-time blinkers helping to spark a return to form.

Form: 12P5-0P

Kelce^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117| D

8/1

Much improved switched to fences with cheekpieces applied last season, winning at Market Rasen and Wetherby. Positive start to this season when fourth of 18 on return at Cheltenham (25f, good) and, though not so good over the same C&D next time, he will be dangerous if allowed a soft lead here.

Form: 1F21-47

Forecasts

Hidden History (7/4), Champagne Twist (11/2), Welcom To Cartries (13/2), New Order (13/2), Tommy The Tank (15/2), Kelce (10/1), Ideal Des Bordes (10/1), Java Point (14/1), In d'Or (20/1)

There shouldn't be much between HIDDEN HISTORY and Champagne Twist, with the latter meeting Dan Skelton's charge on 2 lb better terms compared to when third to that rival (beaten two lengths) at Aintree where they were both making their chase debuts. Champagne Twist's finest hour over hurdles came at this course and he is greatly respected, but Hidden History is proving most progressive for this yard and he is taken to strike again. Kelce and chase debutant Tommy The Tank are others with claims.