14:02 Sandown

Saturday 31 January 2026

All12:2012:5513:2514:0214:4015:1015:42

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 4m 5.33s

Haddex Des Obeaux³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 145

16/1

Progressive over fences in 2022/23 for Gary Moore and absent for almost 2 years prior to a no-show on debut for new yard (pulled up) in a Cheltenham Grade 2 in November. Subsequent fourth in a Wetherby handicap was better but it was still some way below his best.

Form: 11F3/P4

Gunsight Ridge^t,p⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 142| CD

6/1

Third in 2022 renewal of this and went two places better when landing last year's running off this mark. Overall Sandown form figures read 1321 and while he hasn't been at his best so far this season, it would be no surprise at all to see him bounce back with a big run.

Form: FP14-44

Martator^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 140| C

22/1

Form tailed off after back-to-back Ascot handicap victories last November. Returned to form when runner-up back at that Berkshire venue on penultimate start but, solid though that effort was, it's bookmarked by two rather underwhelming performances.

Form: 608-529

Jax Junior⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: L Wadham| OR: 139WS

9/2

Winner of 3 of his 5 hurdles starts following a wind op last term and has undergone another since his latest fourth in a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot (reportedly bled). Looked promising when scoring on second chase start at Kempton in November and merits respect on handicap bow in this sphere.

Form: 3P1-214

Escapeandevade^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: Harry Derham| OR: 133

7/2

Generally below par for James Ewart last term but mark eased as a result and firmly back on track for new yard this season, scoring at Haydock last month and runner-up on each of his additional 3 starts for Harry Derham. Rock-solid candidate who looks sure to give another good account.

Form: 22-2212

Classic Maestro^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 130

22/1

Fine strike rate over hurdles (5-10) and notched second success in this sphere when making all in a small-field Leicester handicap last February. However, he didn't get very far on his reappearance and then finished well adrift of Escapeandevade when sixth of 10 at Haydock a fortnight ago.

Form: 3413-U6

Kotmask^b²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| CD

11/2

Jumping sometimes lets him down but he's clearly got an engine, as he again demonstrated when landing a competitive Ascot handicap off 1 lb higher last term. Chased home a progressive novice in first-time blinkers (retained) over C&D last time and definite chance granted an assured round of jumping.

Form: 02-5552

Denemethy^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 123| D

10/1

Scored over fences at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 2024 and has largely performed with credit since, albeit without really progressing. Will need to better anything that he's previously achieved under Rules in order to emerge on top here.

Form: 3222-42

Dr T J Eckleburg^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams| OR: 120

7/1

Won twice last term and was beaten just ½-length by Gunsight Ridge in this race 12 months ago (meets that rival on 4 lb better terms this time round). Below par initially this season but more like it when third with cheekpieces enlisted (retained) at Windsor recently and he's one to consider.

Form: 068763

Rath Gaul Hill^t,p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 119

9/1

Completed hat-trick when making a belated winning return at Newbury last February. Well held back from another break there in November and while he stepped up on that when third of 6 in first-time cheekpieces (on again here) at the same course next time, others look stronger on this occasion.

Form: 11/16-83

Hypotenus¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J Tickle| OR: 118| BF

20/1

Reliable sort who gained a deserved breakthrough success over fences in 5-runner handicap chase at Taunton earlier this month. Had the run of the race that day, though, and wasn't able to repeat the dose when taken on for the lead (as will likely happen here, too) at the same track 2 weeks ago.

Form: 34-2713

Forecasts

Escapeandevade (7/2), Jax Junior (9/2), Kotmask (11/2), Gunsight Ridge (6/1), Dr T J Eckleburg (7/1), Rath Gaul Hill (9/1), Denemethy (10/1), Haddex Des Obeaux (16/1), Hypotenus (20/1), Classic Maestro (22/1), Martator (22/1)

The idiom 'horses for courses' often rings true at Sandown and GUNSIGHT RIDGE, who made it two wins from four starts at this course (placed on other two occasions) when seeing off Dr T J Eckleburg in this race last season, is taken to enhance his good record round here. He has far lower mileage than most 11-y-os and is back down to the same mark as 12 months ago. Dr T J Eckleburg could again prove dangerous and is feared most ahead of the rock-solid Escapeandevade and novice Jax Junior.