2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Tips - Pauling could be doing Handstands at Sandown
The 2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown promises an exciting race with four prominent contenders. Jango Baie leads the betting odds and is a favorite, thanks to a strong performance at Cheltenham. Kalif Du Berlais has experience and a recent handicap victory in his favor. Handstands, while having slightly inferior ratings, is noted for his excellent stamina and adaptability to soft ground, making him a strong contender. Though Mark Of Gold is less favored, the race remains open, with both strategy and conditions set to play crucial roles.
- 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
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
Handstands is our best bet in the 2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.
Handstands
2025 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
@7/2 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
27 May 2026
- Daily Tips on May 27th -
- Horse Racing
- NAP Of The Day -
- Horse Racing
28 May 2026
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
Load More
