13:50 Sandown
Saturday 7 March 2026
All13:1513:5014:2715:0015:3516:1016:45
European Breeders' Fund Betfair 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- 4YO to 7YO  |  Class 1  |  2m 3f 178y  |  18 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Very much on the up when making it 2-2 over hurdles at Exeter in December, beating subsequent Grade 2 winner Klub de Reve, but proved a major disappointment (possibly amiss) on handicap debut at Leicester later that month. Way too soon to write him off.
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Looked a useful staying novice in the making when landing a second hurdle success at Doncaster in December but a lack of stamina surely wasn't the issue when disappointing upped in trip/class in Grade 2 River Don last time.
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Improving in leaps and bounds, overcoming a less-than-ideal position to land the hat-trick at Windsor in January. That was a strong race for the grade and he likely remains capable of better.
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Improved from hurdle debut when seeing off a pair of subsequent winners at Hereford and would have finished an ever closer second barring a late mistake in a qualifier for this race at Ascot last time. Will need to progress again, but that's not out of the question now sent handicapping.
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Winner of sole point start who's improved with each run over hurdles, markedly so when having too many gears for still green The Boss Bear at Ffos Las last month. In much deeper waters this time but further progress cannot be ruled out.
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Expensive pointer has made a very promising start over hurdles, his only defeat so far coming at the hands of Starmount (disappointed last weekend). Improved a chunk when decisive winner over 2m at Kelso latest, however, and makes plenty of appeal with this greater test of stamina bound to suit.
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Handicap debutant won at Huntingdon/Hereford either side of being outstayed by Get On George at Doncaster in December but is likely to fall short in better company.
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Fairly useful performance when quickening clear of Gee Force Flyer to get off the mark at Market Rasen last month but this would require a much-improved handicap debut performance, Ã la his stablemate Laurens Bay in this race 12 months ago.
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Debut bumper winner posted solid form when making all/jumping well to open his hurdle account at Doncaster but no match for a good prospect at Ffos Las last time. Handicapper hasn't done him any favours and likely we'll see the best of him as a chaser.
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Fairly useful bumper winner finished third behind useful prospects at Exeter/Chepstow before making the most of a good opportunity at Plumpton last month and could improve again for the step up in trip on handicap debut.
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Fairly useful novice winner was no match for Taurus Bay/Captain Hugo at Aintree before finishing fourth in a competitive Hereford maiden on final start for Twiston-Davies stable. Switch to handicap/longer trip opens more possibilities for new yard. First-time tongue tie.
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Maiden looks a different model for new yard (formerly with Willie Mullins), building on a promising debut when running a useful, subsequent winner close at Wincanton in January. In excellent hands and remains with potential now tackling handicaps over a longer trip.
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Easy point/hurdle debut winner who wasn't given a hard time behind odds-on winner at Warwick on first start following breathing operation latest. Opening mark doesn't look beyond him and looks interesting (in first-time headgear) for yard who saddled the 1-2 in 2024 renewal of this race.
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Listed bumper winner who improved to get the better of Cinquenta at Lingfield in December but didn't pack the same punch in the finish (raced freely) when third over C&D on handicap debut the following month. Reasonable to think bigger field/stronger pace will suit, for all this is much tougher.
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Three-time point winner who made it a hat-trick of second place finishes over hurdles in a Wincanton novice last time. Something to find on the bare form, though it's likely he'll appreciate this greater test of stamina on handicap bow.
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Makes first handicap start having shaped with promise in 2½m maiden/novice hurdles, but he was no match for Cinquenta at Market Rasen, and Scorpio Rising looks the stable's leading hope.
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Showed a good attitude to grind out victory over 2m on heavy ground at Leicester but went with little fluency under a penalty behind Cinquenta last time and probably lacks the class to win a handicap of this nature.
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Looked a good prospect when following up bumper success on hurdle debut at Plumpton and unlikely we've seen the best of him since, shaping as though amiss at Fontwell late last month. May outrun long odds if back on song in first-time cheekpieces.
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Forecasts
Scorpio Rising (5/1), Unknown Entity (6/1), Laguna Beach (8/1), Four Springs (8/1), Kaka's Cousin (8/1), Gentleman Toboot (10/1), Wolf Walker (12/1), Tennessee Tango (12/1), Draco Malfoy (14/1), Cinquenta (14/1), Rathkenny (16/1), Gee Force Flyer (16/1), Race To Base (20/1), Precious Metal (20/1), Jury's In (20/1), Get On George (33/1), Roi Du Risk (33/1), The Boss Bear (33/1)
KAKA'S COUSIN could be on a very handy mark for his handicap bow and he gets the nod in a typically competitive renewal. Scorpio Rising is most-progressive and has to enter calculations following an impressive hat-trick success at Windsor, while Dan Skelton's Unknown Entity makes plenty of appeal on the back of his much-improved Wincanton form.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £45,016.002nd: £16,960.003rd: £8,488.004th: £4,240.005th: £2,128.006th: £1,064.007th: £528.008th: £272.00
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