13:45 Sandown
Saturday 25 April 2026
All13:1313:4514:2014:5515:3016:0216:4017:15
bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 2  |  1m 7f 216y  |  19 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Point winner who has made a bright start over hurdles, making it 2-3 when seeing off 8 rivals on 2m Chepstow handicap debut (good) 14 days ago. Had a bit in hand so a 6 lb rise looks fair with further progress on the cards.
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Bumped into Supreme runner-up Sober Glory either side of his win in a 2m Newbury maiden (good to soft) in December. His finishing effort was underwhelming when turned over at short odds at Uttoxeter last time but he retains potential for handicaps.
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Bumper winner and it's really clicked with him over hurdles in recent months, landing Southwell maiden (soft) and Warwick novice (good to soft) over 2m. Should be more to come in handicaps and seemingly preferred by Sean Bowen to yard's other runner.
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Made successful start over timber at Fontwell in November. Runner-up 3 times subsequently (including Kempton Grade 2) before resuming winning ways in 2m Newbury novice (good) last month. Looks feasibly treated in his first handicap.
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Sold for £360,000 after making a winning debut in academy hurdle at Fairyhouse and has won 2 of his 4 outings for Paul Nicholls since. This strong traveller jumps well and appeals as one who will cope well with the demands of a big-field handicap. The stable won this in 2019 and 2022.
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Made short work of his rivals when making all on 2m Southwell hurdle debut in February. Found the Grade 2 Dovecote too much at Kempton just 19 days later but resumed his progression with another all-the-way success at Sedgefield (17f) last month. More to come but opening mark looks tough enough.
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Irish point recruit who was much improved when making it third time lucky over hurdles in maiden at Fontwell (2¼m, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Handicap debut.
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Fairly useful 2m novice winner for Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies but pulled up in EBF Final here (2½m, soft) on handicap/stable debut last month. Has had a breathing operation since.
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Made a successful hurdle debut at Newton Abbot (17f) in October and dug deep to double his tally in a heavy-ground novice at Exeter (17f again) in February. Could only manage seventh of 9 on subsequent Newbury handicap debut, though.
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Fairly useful bumper winner and similar form when placed in maiden/novice events on first 4 starts over hurdles. Pitched into the ultra-competitive Morebattle at Kelso on handicap debut and wasn't disgraced, leaving the impression a return to a stiffer 2m will suit. Has had a breathing operation.
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Half-brother to high-class hurdler/chaser Yorkhill who has made steady progress with each start over hurdles, looking suited to a switch to front-running tactics when off the mark in 18.5f Newton Abbot maiden 3 weeks ago. Handicap debut.
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Placed in the Derby and Irish Derby in 2024 but this keen-goer's career has gone the wrong way since. Did manage to win a Huntingdon novice hurdle (soft) in December but his limitations in this sphere have seemingly been exposed since. Today's quicker ground may help but others are still preferred.
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Course bumper winner who has shown fair form when reaching the frame in 5 maiden/novice hurdles this season. Fitted with first-time tongue now moving into handicap company. Ben Jones on stablemate Last Round.
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Point/bumper winner in Ireland and going the right way over hurdles, placing twice before justifying favouritism in maiden at Wincanton (15f, good) 33 days ago. Handicap debut. Should continue to go progress.
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A fair winner on the Flat in France and has made a promising start over hurdles for his new stable, hampered last when second of 11 in 2m Warwick juvenile 7 weeks ago. Open to improvement now moving into handicap company for the first time.
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Brother to connections' useful performer Secret Squirrel and runner-up in 2m novice hurdles at Huntingdon (good to soft) and Taunton (good) on his last 2 outings. Handicap debut. Steadily progressive.
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Useful on Flat for Andrew Balding and going the right way over hurdles for new connections, making it third time lucky at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month. That Flat ability provides the hope for better now handicapping. Gets the vote.
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Improving middle-distance winner on Flat. Promising runner-up in 2m juveniles on first 2 starts over hurdles but weakening in a well-held fourth when falling at the last at Stratford (19f, soft) last time. Drops back in trip for handicap hurdle debut from 2 lb out of the weights.
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Non-Runners
7
Next Twist61
Weight: 11-6|Â Â Age: 6
T: O Murphy  J: Non Runner
NR
Forecasts
Kadastral (4/1), Cosmic Connection (9/2), Minella Yoga (11/2), Wilstar (10/1), Kocktail Bleu (10/1), Secret Sniper (12/1), Way Of Stars (14/1), Dutch Corner (14/1), Talakan (14/1), Next Twist (14/1), Last Round (16/1), Race To Base (20/1), Bespoke Tailor (20/1), Stanners Glen (20/1), Desertmore News (20/1), Ambiente Friendly (25/1), Love You Back (25/1), Legal Weapon (33/1), Kapitein Kool (33/1)
WAY OF STARS is an interesting contender towards the foot of the weights, with this opening hurdle mark potentially very workable based on his Flat ability. Minella Yoga, Wilstar and Chris Gordon pair Kocktail Bleu and Cosmic Connection head the many possible dangers in a cracking novice handicap.
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £51,440.002nd: £23,650.003rd: £11,830.004th: £5,910.005th: £2,960.006th: £1,470.007th: £740.008th: £370.00
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