The Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase is one of the last top tier novice events in Britain prior to Cheltenham. A small field may have gathered for the 2025 renewal, but it looks a high class one and Joe Napier takes a look at each of the four runners before giving his verdict.
An extraordinary performance in 2024 from Nickle Back saw him rout his rivals from the front a year ago.
JANGO BAIE
(Nicky Henderson/Nico De Boinville)
Although his name is not held in the same lights as Constitution Hill, Jonbon or Sir Gino, Jango Baie is quietly building up a useful CV from his Seven Barrows base. He became a Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler at Aintree last season before runner-up efforts under penalties at Listed and Grade 2 level. He concluded his season back at Aintree with a runner-up place in handicap company.
He is yet to finish outside of the top two in any race, including point-to-points, but given his yard was out of form last term, there may be significantly more to come from him over fences. That was evidenced by a smooth chasing debut at Cheltenham in December in which he beat subsequent scorer Springwell Bay with something to spare. He was in receipt of 8lb, but had plenty in the tank having jumped well on the whole and looks capable of taking high rank in the chasing sphere.
HANDSTANDS
(Ben Pauling/Ben Jones)
One of the horses to beat Jango Baie over hurdles was Handstands, whose strike rate is the best in the field here. Including points, he has won six of his eight career races, including his first three events over hurdles before being outclassed behind Ballyburn at Cheltenham last term.
There is a chance he would be unbeaten over fences but for a late tumble at Wincanton in November, but he has won Grade 2 contests stylishly on his last two starts. They came over 3m and 2m3½f, so he is versatile and will definitely last this distance home. Whether he quite has the pace or the class to hold off these rivals at this trip remains to be seen, but it would be a surprise if he were not seriously involved.
KALIF DU BERLAIS
(Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden)
The youngest member of the line-up, Kalif Du Berlais gets a 4lb weight-for-age allowance here which could be telling. The son of Masked Marvel boasts a similar profile to Handstands, going unbeaten as a novice hurdler until the major spring festivals when easily outgunned by smart rivals before falling on his chasing debut when in contention.
He has since battled to an opening handicap victory at Newbury before making much lighter work of two rivals at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. There may only have been three runners but the runner-up he beat ten lengths on the bridle has won since, so there is substance enough to the form. Whether he immediately wants to go up in trip is debatable, but he is going the right way, and Paul Nicholls thinks a lot of him.
MARK OF GOLD
(Gary & Josh Moore/Caoilin Quinn)
Mark Of Gold is likely to go off a big price here despite being one of only two Graded winners over fences in this field. He achieved that Grade 2 success on his chase debut too, and as the outsider of four, so it could be dangerous to totally dismiss him.
That said, the race he won looked weak for the level at the time and the second and third have done precious little to advertise the form since. As an eight-year-old, he is likely to bump into a trio of more progressive rivals here, for all he has more than earned his place in the field.
ITV Racing Tips – Best Bets From Sandown And Musselburgh On Saturday 1st February, 2025
It’s a busy day in front of the ITV Racing cameras on Saturday 1st February as there’s nine races taking place at Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers stays on UK soil for his best bets of the weekend, and has four selections for the quality jumping action. 2:00pm Sandown – Virgin…
Thu 30 Jan 2025
VERDICT
Only four runners, but with only one or two exceptions, some of the highest class British-based novice chasers have assembled here. Given he maintained a high level of form in novice hurdles last term despite his trainer’s wayward form, JANGO BAIE is worth siding with as a horse with the most significant potential. He won easily on his chasing debut from a winner who himself scored contemptuously since and he is slowly building a likeable body of work. Kalif Du Berlais and Handstands are feared in equal measure, though neither of their trainers are in superb form, while this middle distance trip might not be the ideal distance for either. Mark Of Gold will probably be outclassed by younger rivals, but is himself a Grade 2 winner.
- Jango Baie
- Kalif Du Berlais
- Handstands
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