January 17 / 13.25 Market Rasen

13.25

Good To Soft

Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Unibet Vets’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £23413.5
  • 2m 5f 89y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
View Course
Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Unibet  Vets’ Chase Series)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 311P32

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Has mixed record since joining Gary Hanmer last summer but won twice over 2m4f in October and gave good account when second at Haydock (2m4f, soft) just after Christmas; still on a workable mark; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

The Flier Begley

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Well beaten at Haydock last time (behind Genois) in a race he won the previous season; now below par in his last three chases and belatedly tries cheekpieces at the age of 11.

10/1

8th

8

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

The Flier Begley

11st 3lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Won this last year (good) and followed up at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) in June off a mark 1lb higher than today's; pulled up/tailed off over fences on next two starts but his recent outing over hurdles was fairly encouraging and he could build on that now back chasing.

10/1

2nd

4

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:00 Southwell

The Flier Begley

11st 5lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Gary Hanmer

Six-time chase winner who won last summer but twice disappointed since; he's 0-8 as a hurdler but ability needs respecting when there's no depth to this race.

2/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 46-112 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Rejuvenated 10yo who won his first two races this season (2m5f/2m3f) and probably faced an impossible task when second to a bang-in-form rival at Ascot (2m5f, good) last time; probably still on a workable mark; needs to be taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Nocte Volatus

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Justified favouritism in the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown (good) most recently, taking record over 3m to 2-3; in top form aged 11 and still unexposed at this distance.

13/2

Form: 220-44 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; well handicapped on some of last season's form but failed to build upon his satisfactory reappearance run when well held at Newbury last month; needs to get back in the groove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

14:05 Haydock

The Edgar Wallace

11st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Front-runner who hasn't been at his best this term and was a 12l third behind two of these at Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft) last time; however, he deserves credit for that performance having set a strong pace and he continues to drop down the weights; every chance he'll make a bold bid.

7/1

3rd

7

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

The Edgar Wallace

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Front-runner; well handicapped on some of last season's form but failed to build upon his satisfactory reappearance run when well held at Newbury last month; needs to get back in the groove.

10/1

3rd

7

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

The Edgar Wallace

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

set good pace, led, hit 7th, headed 3 out, soon lost second, kept on

10/1

Form: 403347

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Has modest 2-36 strike-rate over fences but is largely consistent and has been as good as ever this season; not beaten far when seventh in competitive Leopardstown handicap (2m1f, good to yielding) just after Christmas and should be fine over today's longer trip; ought to be on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(4)

28th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

17:02 Dundalk (AW)

Railway Hurricane

9st 11lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Paul W Flynn

Dual winner over both hurdles and fences albeit some time ago; returned from 277-day absence for current yard in October, well held on the Flat and twice over hurdles; belated AW debut and only second career Flat start.

13/2

11th

13

(15)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Railway Hurricane

11st 4lb

J: Miss C Flynn

T: Paul W Flynn

Useful four-time jumps winner; has never run on the Flat and lacks a recent outing; has moved from Gavin Cromwell to Paul Flynn.

50/1

4th

5

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

Railway Hurricane

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Gavin Cromwell

Has modest 2-36 strike-rate over fences but is largely consistent and has been as good as ever this season; not beaten far when seventh in competitive Leopardstown handicap (2m1f, good to yielding) just after Christmas and should be fine over today's longer trip; ought to be on the premises.

15/2

Form: 111P-8 C

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Started off for Brian Ellison with four consecutive wins last season, the latest in Eider Chase at Newcastle (4m1f, heavy), but made a low-key reappearance at Newcastle in November and needs to bounce back with a career-best performance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Anglers Crag

10st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

The final leg of his four-timer for Brian Ellison two winters back was this race off 4lb lower than today; never fired on all cylinders last term but reappeared for new yard in November with a sparkling win, employing new tactics as he made all at Carlisle to come home 9l clear; back up 8lb, so needs to be back at his very best, but he's one for the shortlist.

5/1

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Anglers Crag

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

Has had a patchy campaign and was pulled up in the Midland National last time; however, he showed some spark at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft) in February and is just 1lb higher than when winning the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, heavy) last season; not ruled out now back down in trip/grade.

8/1

5

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Anglers Crag

11st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Brian Ellison

in rear, outpaced 5 out

8/1

Form: 4P-40P D

Last run: 62 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Returned to form with very creditable fourth of 17 in valuable handicap at last spring's Punchestown festival (2m4f, good to yielding) and has strong claims here if judged on that form but looked out of sorts on both appearances in the autumn and needs to be perked up by the addition of cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

25th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 136y

19:05 Ballinrobe

Jetoile

11st 4lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: W J Burke

Smart performer in Britain back in the day; went point-to-pointing over the winter and held in hunter chases lately; unlikely.

16/1

5th

10

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

19:37 Killarney

Jetoile

11st 7lb

J: Mr L P Shanahan

T: W J Burke

Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; couldn't contain Lifetime Ambition in a point back in November; fair third to Journey With Me at Cork last month but he went from the front and was readily left behind.

10/1

3rd

6

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

Jetoile

12st 0lb

J: Mr E Mahon

T: W J Burke

Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; no appeal on his points form, which has been poor since a 12l second behind good yardstick Lifetime Ambition at Turtulla in November.

14/1

Form: 133/87

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Very useful handicapper in his prime, best known for his heroics at Newbury; returned from long layoff with two underwhelming runs last month and may not be ideally suited by this right-handed track; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Paint The Dream

11st 7lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Best known for his heroics at Newbury but is also suited by this track; very well handicapped on old form for Fergal O'Brien but, following a long absence, has not shown a great deal for his owner-trainer this season, including when back at Newbury last month; revival needed.

25/1

7th

5

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:34 Chepstow

Paint The Dream

11st 7lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Best known for his heroics at Newbury but is also suited by this track; very well handicapped on old form for Fergal O'Brien but, following a long absence, has not shown a great deal for his owner-trainer this season, including when back at Newbury last month; revival needed.

25/1

7

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Paint The Dream

10st 11lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Record of 3-4 over fences at Newbury includes two attempts in this contest, winning easily (off 12lb higher) in 2022 and third in 2023; has struggled elsewhere since returning from long absence but may prove resurgent back here, despite his advancing years.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3148-1 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Driven clear on run-in to score by 10l on seasonal debut at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) last month and now 4-9 over fences; latest 6lb rise demands more from him but, nevertheless, he features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Grandads Cottage

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

towards rear

7/1

Form: 16-P11 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won the final of this veterans' series at Haydock (2m4f, soft) last spring and returned from break with two wins in the autumn, the latter at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) five weeks ago; might be vulnerable off a mark this high but is evidently in very good nick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Numitor

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Heather Main

Bounced back to form with game win at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month, his ninth success over fences; still well handicapped after recent 4lb rise and will be fine over this longer trip but it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood again.

9/2

1st

2

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Numitor

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Heather Main

Potentially very well handicapped but has become a law unto himself and is wickedly hard to predict.

14/1

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Numitor

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Heather Main

Pulled up in this race last year and same outcome on first two runs this season; 13l fourth behind Genois at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month following wind surgery and a break but he could improve for that outing, and he won this race in 2024; not written off.

12/1

Form: 323524

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Front-runner; looked a non-stayer over 3m at Doncaster last month but his close second there (2m3f, good) two starts ago was a good effort and he'll be fine on this right-handed track; no surprise if he give this a good shot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 5f 122y

Class 3

16:20 Newton Abbot

Onemorefortheroad

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Front-runner who posted some good efforts over hurdles and fences for Neil King in second half of last year, including a second in this race; makes debut for Ben Pauling after eight-month break but will be a danger to all off current mark if fully tuned up.

4/1

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

Onemorefortheroad

11st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Front-runner; looked a non-stayer over 3m at Doncaster last month but his close second there (2m3f, good) two starts ago was a good effort and he'll be fine on this right-handed track; no surprise if he give this a good shot.

8/1

9

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:25 Market Rasen

Onemorefortheroad

11st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

pressed leader, struggling when lost position after 7th, dropped to last 9th, soon pulled up

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.60
Straight Forecast £36.75
Tricast £207.83
Trifecta £276.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Nocte Volatus

Daily Mirror:

The Edgar Wallace

POSTDATA:

Grandads Cottage

The Times:

Railway Hurricane

TOPSPEED:

Jetoile

The Star:

The Edgar Wallace

RP RATINGS:

Nocte Volatus

The Guardian:

Nocte Volatus

Daily Mail:

Nocte Volatus

D Express:

Nocte Volatus

The Sun:

Nocte Volatus

Daily Record:

Nocte Volatus

Telegraph:

Grandads Cottage