2023 Scilly Isles Novices Chase Betting Odds at Sandown Park racecourse

Saturday, 04 February 2023

Balco Coastal and Thunder Rock won’t be heading to Sandown Park to make the numbers up and they will line up in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase along with Bold Endeavour having a lively chance. Nicky Henderson will fancy getting one of his runners placed in a race where Gerri Colombe is currently trading as the market leader.

The Gordon Elliott-trained runner has been racking up the victories although Monmiral is capable of putting together a big run and he has enjoyed three successive runner-up performances. The six-year-old is the youngest runner in the race and perhaps we can see the horse return to winning ways.

2023 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase Tips

Gerri Colombe will get his stiffest test yet when lining up in the 2023 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase although the Gordon Elliott-trained charge hasn’t put a foot wrong so far. It has now been seven successive victories for the Irish raider who won the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase on Boxing Day, with the horse obliging as the 4/5 favourite over two miles, three-and-a-half furlongs.

Previously to this, there was a win in the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee Beginners Chase over two miles and five furlongs, although this will be a sterner test and Monmiral looks capable of a big race. The Paul Nicholls runner has to be respected after finishing second to Epatante in the Betway Aintree Hurdle back in April.

Since then, the horse then finished a distant second behind Jonbon at Warwick Racecourse before a solid run in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham when beaten by The Real Whacker. However, some each-way punters will instead by looking at Balco Coastal and Nicky Henderson will be encouraged by his most recent outing.

Having been sent off as the joint-favourite for a Handicap Chase at Kempton Park over two miles, four-and-a-half furlongs, he was able to record a nine-length victory on Boxing Day and has to be respected after that performance. He was also solid enough when finishing third in the Aintree Handicap Hurdle.