2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Tips - Can O'Brien's star fend off the Irish?

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Fri 30 Jan 2026 11:08

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Jon Vine 30 Jan 2026

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
This Grade One takes place at Sandown on Saturday 31st January
Sixmilebridge is our best bet at 6/1

Expired

Kielan Woods riding Sixmilebridge clear the last to win The Santa - 'The Visit' 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. (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 free guide to the 2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, including our best betting tips.

2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Odds

Name	Odds
Kitzbuhel	4/5
Kala Conti	9/4
Sixmilebridge	5/1
Miami Magic	16/1

2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Runners

Despite this race taking place on the same day as the Dublin Racing Festival, two top Irish novice chasers will make the trip to Sandown on Saturday.

Leading the way in the betting is Willie Mullins' Kitzbuhel, who made all to secure victory in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton over Christmas. Gordon Elliott, meanwhile, is represented by the mare Kala Conti, following her emphatic Grade Two win over Kargese in December.

Just two home runners have been declared against the Irish raiders. Fergal O'Brien's Sixmilebridge is unbeaten in two starts over fences, recording victories at Ayr and Cheltenham. Miami Magic also won around Cheltenham on his most recent outing, taking down Regents Stroll and Califet En Vol to open his account over fences.

2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Tips

With just the four runners in the final field, tactics will be all-important. Kitzbuhel made every inch of the running when scoring in the Kauto Star, and Harry Cobden is likely to employ identical tactics over this shorter trip.

Kala Conti has taken to chasing well, but she could get found out against the geldings, even with a seven-pound sex allowance on her side. Then there's Miami Magic, who was impressive at Cheltenham last time out, but trails the field in terms of rating and seems to be more effective on a quicker surface.

Any horse that can win on heavy ground around Leicester is capable of handling similar going at any other track. SIXMILEBRIDGE (5/1) bolted up in a two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle at Leicester in December of last season, before going on to beat Potters Charm in the Classic Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham - only to be subsequently disqualified following an adverse drugs test.

Sixmilebridge has won two small-field Beginners Chases since switching to fences at the start of the season. Kielan Woods' mount hasn't been foot-perfect in the jumping department, but found an extra gear to see off Derryhassen Paddy and Gamesters Guy at Ayr, and was far too powerful for Califet En Vol when they met at Cheltenham's December Meeting.

This Grade One has been the target for Sixmilebridge for some time. Fergal O'Brien said this to the press before his star won at Cheltenham in December, “Hopefully he can go on from this to the Scilly Isles, that’s what we’d ideally like to do."

Following that victory at Cheltenham, O'Brien will be eager to make amends to the owners for that disqualification on Trials Day 12 months ago. Sixmilebridge won a bumper around Sandown and scored on his only two starts going right-handed over hurdles. Heavy ground won't pose him any problems, and Woods will be more than happy to track the front-running Kitzbuhel. There's more to come from Sixmilebridge over fences.

Live Stream

Visit our Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races from Sandown via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase

Sixmilebridge is our selection in the 2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

Sixmilebridge

2026 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase

@6/1 - 5 Units

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