2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Tips - Pauling could be doing Handstands at Sandown

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: 30 Jan 2025

Jon Vine 30 Jan 2025

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Odds and betting tips for the 2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
This Grade One takes place at Sandown on Saturday 1st February
Handstands is our best betting tip at 7/2

Expired

Ben Jones riding Handstands clear the last to win The Betfair Esher Novices' Chase at Sandown. (Getty)

While Irish eyes are focused on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival, Sandown will host the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices' Chase. Many top horses have won this two-and-a-half-mile contest since its creation in 1964, with several winners going on to score at the Cheltenham Festival.

Here's our guide to the 2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, including our best betting tips.

2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Odds

Name	Odds
Jango Baie	4/5
Kalif Du Berlais	3/1
Handstands	7/2
Mark Of Gold	25/1

2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Tips

Just the four runners have been declared for Saturday's feature at Sandown. All four can be given a chance, except maybe Mark Of Gold, who was fortunate to win the Noel Novices' Chase on his most recent outing and heavy ground around Sandown might not be his ideal conditions.

Jango Baie received a superb RPR of 157 for his chasing debut at Cheltenham, where he comfortably beat Caldwell Potter and Springwell Bay. The form of that novices chase has been boosted and Nico De Boinville's mount was good value for his victory in the end. Nicky Henderson has a good record in the Scilly Isles and Jango Baie is undoubtedly a worthy favourite.

Paul Nicholls won the first of his four Scilly Isles with a five-year-old in 2006 and he'll be represented by another second-season juvenile this weekend. Kalif Du Berlais won the Adonis Hurdle 12 months ago and earned a mark of 152 for recent handicap victory around Cheltenham. Harry Cobden's mount jumped superbly on that occasion, before quickening clear of a future winner after the last. This step up in trip should suit too.

On ratings, HANDSTANDS (3/1) has a little to find on the market leaders. The handicapper didn't think much of either of his Grade Two victories, upping Ben Pauling's star by just five pounds for winning the Esher Novices' Chase and the rescheduled Towton around Ffos Las.

Ben Jones' mount jumped well around Sandown in December, dictating the tempo of that three-mile contest from the front before scooting four lengths clear of the chasing pack down the straight. Handstands was in complete command of the Towton from the outset too, and only needed a couple of cracks of the whip after the final flight to put that contest to bed.

Jango Baie and Kalif Du Berlais may have more natural ability than Handstands. However, Pauling's six-year-old loves soft ground, he's got more than enough stamina for the trip and boasts crucial experience around the testing chase track at Sandown. At the current prices, he's the one for me.

Live Stream

Visit our Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase

Handstands is our best bet in the 2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

Handstands

2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase

@7/2 - 5 Units

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