Saturday 1st February Grade 1 Horse Racing Preview

This Saturday we have some cracking races from both sides of the water with Sandown, the first one we will look into being the 2.35pm Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novice Chase which is to be run over 2m 4f. 

Heading the seven entries is the Willie Mullins trained Impaire Et Passe, this 7yo gelding has had the two races over the larger obstacles firstly winning a novice chase over 2m 5f at short odds before winning a Grade 1 at Limerick over the festive period leading approaching the last fence and going on to win by 4 lengths. This talented horse missed last year’s Cheltenham meeting but went on to win the Aintree Hurdle Grade 1 last season but you’d have to think he will be heading to the festival this season with the Brown Advisory Novice Chase being his target.

Nicky Henderson is represented by Jango Baie, this 6yo gelding has just had the one run over fences but it was an impressive debut beating Springwell Bay by 6 ½ lengths jumping fluently mid December. The runner up went back to the same course and won a Grade 3 handicap easily so you can’t question the form. On hurdle form he has a bit of ground to make up on the Willies horse but this lightly raced 6yo has been brought on slowly by Seven Barrows so we don’t know his full potential yet.

Next in the entries is Kalif Du Berlais, this 5yo gelding is a French recruit that Paul Nicholls thinks highly of, his debut over fences didn’t go to plan when he fell four out in a Graduation Chase at Carlisle but has since won handicaps at Newbury and Cheltenham. His latest win on New Years Day at Cheltenham was by nine lengths from Vincenzo who went on to win at this course Sandown last weekend impressively. He will love the stiff two and a half miles at this course so part owner Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping for a big run. 

The last entry for us to preview is the Ben Pauling trained 6yo Handstands, this gelding was another who didn’t complete his debut over fences but has since won two Grade 2 events since. First was the 3m Betfair Esher Novice Chase at this course making all of the running and staying on to win by three and a half lengths from Resplendent Grey, he backed that victory up with a win at Ffos Las three weeks ago by nine lengths. That race was over 2m 3f so he is quite versatile with regards to his trip. 

The race is completed by Only By Night trained by Gavin Cromwell, Search For Glory trained by Gordon Elliott and Mark of Gold for Gary Moore. 

Betting for this contest (Ante Post rules apply):
Credit Card Betting Sites: Impaire Et Passe 13/8, Jango Baie 5/2, Kalif Du Berlais 29/10, Handstands 5/1, Only By Night 8/1, Search For Glory 16/1 and Mark of Gold 33/1.
Non UKGC Casinos: Impaire Et Passe 6/4, Jango Baie 13/5, Kalif Du Berlais 3/1, Handstands 5/1, Only By Night 9/1, Search For Glory 16/1 and Mark of Gold 34/1.
USA Betting Sites For UK: Impaire Et Passe 6/4, Jango Baie 5/2, Kalif Du Berlais 3/1, Handstands 5/1, Only By Night 10/1, Search For Glory 16/1 and Mark of Gold 32/1.