Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 6th December 2025

Jaysella’s Saturday Selections from Sandown Park & Aintree

Sandown Park

Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices’ Hurdle (Listed) 12.10
Soldier Reeves
Well, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White will be hoping that Sober Glory can carry on his unbeaten run, and the booking of Harry Cobden does look interesting. But I reckon it’s another Harry that’s going to the winner’s enclosure, cos I reckon that Soldier Reeves is winning this. Dan Skelton won this last year, and given the conditions, it’s Soldier Reeves that they all have to beat. I do get that Sober Glory has done nothing wrong yet, but on this softened ground, its Soldier Reeves for me, with Jamie Snowden’s Fresh Perspective making the frame too.

Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1.50
Lulamba (nb)
A chance to see the really exciting Lulamba as he progresses his Novice Chasing campaign up to Grade One level. All roads lead to Cheltenham in March for this Arkle favourite, so if he’s as good over fences as he was over the sticks, this is going to be one not to miss. Mind you, I know you’ve heard me banging on in the Podcast about how red hot Dan Skelton’s yard is running just now, so Be Aware looks like the one to make a race of it for last year’s winning trainer. A classy race despite just the four of them, with Sam Thomas’s Lump Sum and Olly Murphy’s hat-trick seeking Alnilam, but Lulamba should be winning this.

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) 3.00
L’eau Du Sud (nap)
What a race!! What a race!! We really are in for a treat for the feature, the Tingle Creek, where Willie Mullins’ Il Etait Temps has dominated the ante post market. But here we have Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon going for a hat-trick of wins in this race, to add to the 2022 win over course and distance in the Henry VIII, the Novice version of this two mile Grade One, and Dan Skelton’s L’eau Du Sud, last year’s winner of the Henry VIII, who beat Jonbon by 15 lengths in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month. What a race, did I mention that? So, for me, over this trip, I do feel that L’eau Du Sud is the least exposed and one with more to come. He gets his ground here, and just might have the speed angle over Il Etait Temps, but away from Cheltenham, five time course winner Jonbon has to be firmly in the mix. An absolute cracker in store, but I’ll take my gamble of L’eau Du Sud on this ground. Fingers crossed!

Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase 3.35
Mr Tanganyika
I think I’ll chance my arm with Mr Tanganyika for the London National Handicap Chase. Having finished second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March, this marathon trip holds no fears, and I reckon Venetia Williams Martaline gelding has more wins in him over these extreme trips. He usually needs a run to be at his best, so the fifth of ten at Cheltenham three weeks back should bring Mr Tanganyika on for this. It was last year’s winner, Mr Vango that won this last year, and who now goes in the Becher Chase at Aintree, but it was Mr Vango that beat the selection in the Midlands National, so I’m seeing a strong form line for this considering the conditions. Jumps well, stays, and won’t be minding the ground, so Mr Tanganyika ticks all the boxes for me so gets my vote.

Aintree

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Wirral Juvenile Hurdle (Listed) 2.05
Bibe Mus
It could pay to go with Ross O’Sullivan’s Irish raider Bibe Mus for this Listed Juvenile Hurdle. Third to Gordon Elliott’s Mange Tout last time out, who was one of Caroline’s magnificent five out of five last Sunday, this looks like well franked form now that rival has gone on to in at Graded level, so edges selection for me over Dan Skelton’s Edelak and Paul Nicholls’ Treasure Planet. Donald McCain Jr’s Lord looks the tempting each way angle, if that’s your thing, but Bibe Mus is my pick for the win.

William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2.40
Mr Vango
With a liking for extreme trips, I think Sara Bradstock’s Mr Vango could be the one to land the Becher. Last seen winning the Midlands National at Uttoxeter, he goes well fresh and I reckon he can defy the 9lb rise and top weight to score over the National fences. Galia Des Liteaux, Gaboriot and Bill Baxter all make my shortlist, but it’s all about who copes with these unique fences, and I’ll know that Jack Tudor just has to steer a safe passage for Mr Vango to get him involved at the business end of things. Mr Vango to outlast them all for the Becher.