Best Chase Jockeys at Sandown

Sandown, with its seven fences in quick succession down the back straight, including the renowned Railway Fences, offers a unique test of horse and rider. Here are four jockeys over the past five seasons who have an especially good record at the track.

Jamie Moore (Strike rate – 36%)

Jamie Moore has enjoyed some of his best days at Sandown on Sire de Grugy, the best horse he has ever ridden. Indeed, the likeable chaser was crowned the champion two-miler in the 2013/14 season, winning six of his seven starts, notably the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He also won the Tingle Creek and Celebration Chase (for the second time) at Sandown that season, and returned in 2015/16 to win a second Tingle Creek. Moore is unlikely to have a ride in this year’s renewal, but could feature in the other chases on the card, and is a jockey to follow at Sandown, recording a level-stake profit of 48.63 (at Betfair SP) over fences in the last five seasons.

What a thriller! Un De Sceaux digs deep under Ruby Walsh to beat Sire De Grugy in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase. pic.twitter.com/k0GhSyE3RC

— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) December 3, 2016

Daryl Jacob (Strike rate – 29%)

Daryl Jacob has been successful 11 times in the last five seasons over fences at Sandown, returning a level-stakes profit of 31.11 at BSP, and one of the best horses he has ridden at the course could make his seasonal reappearance in the Tingle Creek this weekend. Sceau Royal won the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase over the same course and distance in 2017/18 and took his form up another notch last season, his best effort coming when three and a half lengths third to Altior in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. He banged his head against Altior again when runner-up in the Celebration Chase on his final start, and he will hold sound claims given that he has finished first past the post on all four seasonal reappearances for this yard.

Owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede – for whom Jacob is first jockey – also have Janika entered in the Tingle Creek. Janika was often the bridesmaid in top-end handicaps last season, but proved better than ever to open his account in Britain on his return in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. It will be interesting to see who Jacob sides with, given the pair have achieved a similar level of form.

Janika is now a best-priced 16-1 for the Ryanair Chase at the #CheltenhamFestival - would you be backing the six-year-old at that price? 🤔

Full replay and reaction of his Haldon Gold Cup victory @ExeterRaces >>>https://t.co/wJzl8cB0X8 pic.twitter.com/zJOKDqvhB1

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 6, 2019

Nico de Boinville (Strike rate – 29%)

Nico de Boinville has recorded nine wins over fences at Sandown over the last five seasons, but nearly half of those have been on Altior, who has won the Tingle Creek once and the Celebration Chase three times in that period. Altior won’t return to defend his crown in the Tingle Creek this weekend, though, with connections still toying with the idea of running in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. De Boinville is also lacking rides over fences this weekend, too, with his boss Nicky Henderson having few entries in that sphere. However, he could well pick up some outside rides if heading to Sandown given his record at the track.  

What a horse...

A special performance from Altior to win the Tingle Creek earlier today: pic.twitter.com/TeGbAY7lyP

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 8, 2018

Charlie Deutsch (Strike rate – 25%)

Charlie Deutsch hasn’t had as many rides at the track as Moore, Jacob or De Boinville, but he has ridden four winners at a BSP level-stake profit of £6.06. There could be further success coming his way at Sandown in the coming days, too, with Venetia Williams having several interesting entries over fences, particularly on Friday. Cloudy Glen looks the type to make up into a better chaser than a hurdler and he comfortably shaped like the best horse at the weights on chasing debut at Exeter last month. He set too strong a gallop on his first try at three miles but much better is expected with that experience under his belt, and he will be interesting if Deutsch takes over in the saddle. Espoir de Guye, who immediately bettered his hurdles form when runner-up to a subsequent winner at Chepstow last month, is also of interest on the card. That Chepstow race is working out well, too, with the third and fifth also winning on their next start, so a subsequent 1 lb rise in the weights looks generous.