January 25 / 13.30 Doncaster

13.30

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26405
  • 2m 0f 78y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV
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Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: -79266 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Reverted to fences at Aintree (2m, good) in October after a break and was a close second off this mark; very much of interest on that form but two lesser performances have followed and he's now 0-7 in chases; needs to raise his game in reapplied cheekpieces (mixed form in them over hurdles).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

17

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Petit Tonnerre

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Out of form since his 16-1 win in this race last year; possibly back on a competitive mark now, only 3lb higher than 12 months ago; however, needs to step up on the form of his Aintree run.

10/1

7th

10

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Petit Tonnerre

10st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Soundly beaten ninth in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and tailed off on his last three starts; however, the return to better ground can help and he won a big-field handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding) last May; on a handy mark judged on that Irish form and he's not discounted.

20/1

5th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Petit Tonnerre

11st 8lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beat 22 rivals to win at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last May but looked out of sorts on both appearances since returning from a break in November and needs to turn a corner.

10/1

4/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 37-214 D BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Good second on reappearance at Haydock (2m, soft) in November and easily went one better at Newbury (2m, good to soft) seven days later; below-par fourth of five at Newbury (2m, good to soft) latest but jumping errors didn't help and it will be no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

General Medrano

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Very well in with Petit Tonnerre on their Doncaster clash in January, after which he ran okay in the Grand Annual before a disappointing run at Aintree; this mark isn't beyond him and he returns with his stable ticking along very nicely.

9/2

4th

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

General Medrano

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Very well in with Petit Tonnerre on their Doncaster clash in January, after which he ran okay in the Grand Annual before a disappointing run at Aintree; this mark isn't beyond him and he returns with his stable ticking along very nicely.

9/2

10th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

General Medrano

11st 5lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Generally quite progressive over the winter and there shouldn't be much between him and Dr T J Eckleburg on Haydock form (2m, soft) in November; however he couldn't play a part in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March and he's been left on the same mark in another warm race.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 217-11 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
10yo who has been better than ever this season, winning on his reappearance at Carlisle (2m, good) and following up at Kelso (2m1f, soft); beat Matata by a neck at Kelso (the pair clear) and that one won easily off 2lb higher last Sunday; a 5lb rise may not stop this thriving veteran.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Nells Son

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring.

14/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Nells Son

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive.

33/1

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Nells Son

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here.

12/1

Form: 149/26 CD

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his best 2022-23 form for Dan Skelton but has returned from a long absence for a new yard this season and finished well beaten on both starts; this 10yo needs to stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Third Time Lucki

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had his troubles after such a promising start over fences for the Skeltons but he's back in the good books after small-field handicap wins at Bangor and Uttoxeter (both on good ground; effective on softer); returns to far classier company here and may be found wanting.

9/1

1st

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Third Time Lucki

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has regressed since showing such smart form for the Skeltons but looked back on good terms with himself when comfortably accounting for Fringill Dike at Bangor (2m1f, good), having led from halfway; back up 9lb but might well have turned a corner.

3/1

1st

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Third Time Lucki

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.

13/2

Form: 04-P13 CD

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Filly

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
C&D winner (good) who was second in this last year (good) on his only other course visit; won at Cheltenham (2m, good) in October and was missing his usual cheekpieces (which return today) when flopping there in November; effective on good to soft, doubt about softer; could go well if conditions suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

6th

1

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:40 Down Royal

Calico

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; out of her depth in a Grade 2 chase at Punchestown festival; had a run over hurdles before 12l second to The Banger Doyle on handicap debut at Cork.

7/2

Form: 4/2-P5 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
8yo who is attractively treated on his form up to May 2023, but absent subsequently until November 2024 and he's been pulled up/tailed off on his two comeback runs; lots to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

19th Mar 2025

Good

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Herbiers

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Well handicapped on his form up to May 2023 and he's one to watch in the betting, but he's struggled over hurdles and fences this season following a long absence, and has plenty to prove.

16/1

8

12th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

16:13 Wetherby

Herbiers

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Potentially on a good mark but it's been a struggle this season after a layoff and a sudden turnaround is needed with a first-time visor replacing cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 544411 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Made virtually all to win over C&D (good to soft) last month and he easily followed up in a four-runner handicap at Southwell (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; he's had back-to-back 5lb rises but this 8yo has an improving profile and can make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Worcester

Stormin Crossgales

11st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Max Young

Signed off for Charles and Adam Pogson with 2m5f Fakenham chasing win last May; has failed to complete on all his five runs for his current stable however, tried in cheekpieces when pulled up at Leicester (2m4f) in February last time.

66/1

4

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Stormin Crossgales

11st 7lb

J: Miss Clara Brewitt

T: Max Young

Four chase wins last season and he's well handicapped on his best form; however, he's struggled this term; cheekpieces go on.

66/1

5

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Stormin Crossgales

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Max Young

Four chase wins last season and well handicapped on his best form; however, pulled up on first two runs this term and 200-1 when unseating early at Ludlow last month; plenty to prove.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.20
Straight Forecast £18.82
Trifecta £93.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Nells Son

Telegraph:

Stormin Crossgales

Daily Mail:

General Medrano

TOPSPEED:

Calico

WEST COUNTRY:

Petit Tonnerre

The Times:

Third Time Lucki

The Guardian:

Stormin Crossgales

D Express:

General Medrano

RP RATINGS:

Nells Son

POSTDATA:

Nells Son

Daily Mirror:

Nells Son

The Sun:

Nells Son

The Star:

Nells Son

Daily Record:

Calico