April 19 / 15.15 Haydock

15.15

Good

Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Series Final)

  • Prize money: £51440
  • 2m 3f 203y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Series Final)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 1P3213 D BF

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
This 10yo has had a fruitful campaign but the handicapper has had his say and there were no real excuses when about 10l behind Dubai Days over C&D two months ago; could be vulnerable again off an untouched mark.
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

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 221141 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Has rolled back the years to win three of his last four races and he fairly bombed clear last time at Newcastle (2m4f, good); has more on his plate here off 9lb higher but he'll love the ground and is bang in form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Flic Ou Voyou

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Henry Hogarth

Resurgent 11yo who won three 2m4f chases last season and was creditable second in valuable series final for veterans at Haydock (2m4f, good) last month; can't be ignored in current form.

7/2

1st

2

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Flic Ou Voyou

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Henry Hogarth

Resurgent 11yo who won three 2m4f chases last season and was creditable second in valuable series final for veterans at Haydock (2m4f, good) last month; can't be ignored in current form.

7/2

2nd

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Flic Ou Voyou

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Henry Hogarth

prominent, pressed leader before 4 out, hampered by loose horse on turn after 6th, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, no extra and no chance with winner after 2 out

8/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 311124 D

Last run: 161 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
His bid for a four-timer over fences came unstuck when Numitor beat him at Wincanton but the margin was only a little over 2l and he has a 10lb pull on the winner; a Grade 2 last time was always going to be tough; absent since November but trainer gets them fit at home; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

6th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:15 Fakenham

Glynn

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

led, headed before 3rd, soon lost ground but in touch with leaders, headway before 14th, raced in third and weakening when hit 3 out

2/1

3rd

3

6th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:15 Fakenham

Glynn

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

led, headed before 3rd, soon lost ground but in touch with leaders, headway before 14th, raced in third and weakening when hit 3 out

2/1

3rd

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Glynn

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

in touch with leaders, went third 4 out, no extra after 2 out

13/2

Form: 543167 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Ended a losing sequence off a reduced mark in a qualifier for this at Warwick (2m4f, soft) and subsequent defeats have come against younger rivals, latterly in a big handicap on Aintree's Grand National card; should have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Le Milos

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown (3m, good) in January two starts ago and he's not ruled out today; however, he's been inconsistent this season and was soundly beaten at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) in February; he may prefer a longer trip than this nowadays; fourth in this last year.

9/1

3rd

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Le Milos

11st 9lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Returned to form with creditable second in valuable veterans' final at Sandown (3m, good) last month and remains only 1lb higher than when winning this race readily by 6l a year ago (soft ground); major player, and his appeal will increase if the ground turns heavy.

9/4

Form: -23470

Last run: 15 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Reduced mark appeals on his placed efforts earlier this season but he needs to stage a revival after three fairly heavy defeats, latterly in the Topham at Aintree; cheekpieces return but the significance of that is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Eldorado Allen

10st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago.

66/1

4th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Eldorado Allen

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims.

9/2

4th

4

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Eldorado Allen

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company.

50/1

Form: FP/661 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Well held in two hurdles after a long absence but returned to fences at Exeter (2m3f, good) and was all out to repel Spyglass Hill in a four-runner race; up only 2lb and he's historically well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

17

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

The Widdow Maker

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Joe Tizzard

Won in a small field at Exeter (2m3f, good) last March before 17l sixth in this race (good); he's run well in defeat on both starts this season but needs something extra if he's to come out on top today.

14/1

3rd

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

The Widdow Maker

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Returned to form with small-field win at Exeter (2m3f, good) in March, his third run after a long absence; only 1lb higher here but he wasn't at his best in veterans' series final at Haydock in April and may not be one to rely upon heavily nowadays.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: -P11P1 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Beat Dubai Days in this a year ago; 13lb higher for this defence but he's won three of his last four and beat a few of these in the process; back up to a career-high mark after his 5lb rise for Ascot last time but he did win well.
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: 212-12 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Second to Numitor in this 12 months ago; consistent 11yo who was going away at the finish over C&D two runs back and probably better at this trip than the 3m over which he finished second at Carlisle; remains on a competitive mark and very much in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Dubai Days

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won over C&D (soft) in February before respectable sixth of 17 in veterans' final at Haydock (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago; 11 visits to Ayr have yielded five wins and this is his time of year; could go well.

16/1

6th

14

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Dubai Days

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

His last six wins have come in the months of February, March or April and he returned to form to win at Ayr (2m4f, soft) 40 days ago; runner-up in this race two years ago (soft) and won over C&D (good to soft) last February; that latest win reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; possible player.

12/1

1st

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Dubai Days

12st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either outing this term and was tailed off at Aintree most recently; however, this is the stage of the season when he tends to come good and he's 2lb lower than when scoring at Haydock last February; has won here four times, and on various ground.

6/1

Form: /1P-P2 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 11lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
All three wins for Henry De Bromhead were on heavy ground but it was good when perhaps unfortunate not to beat The Widdow Maker at Exeter (2m3f, good; made a bad mistake); has the cheekpieces back on here and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

26th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

17:15 Cartmel

Spyglass Hill

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Barry Brennan

Veteran; two fair efforts since joining this yard, last time finishing runner-up at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good); has won on heavy ground so should handle these conditions; one to consider.

9/4

2

26th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

17:15 Cartmel

Spyglass Hill

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Barry Brennan

Veteran; two fair efforts since joining this yard, last time finishing runner-up at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good); has won on heavy ground so should handle these conditions; one to consider.

9/4

2nd

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Spyglass Hill

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Barry Brennan

Veteran who has done all his winning on heavy ground and is no longer the force of old; looked a shade unlucky not to win on good ground at Exeter (2m3f) in March, having made a bad jumping error in the straight, but is 4lb wrong here and younger rivals appeal more.

20/1

Non-runners

Whistleinthedark

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.50
Straight Forecast £35.44
Tricast £223.65
Trifecta £268.50

Selections

The Sun:

Dubai Days

The Guardian:

The Flier Begley

SPOTLIGHT:

Glynn

The Times:

Le Milos

RP RATINGS:

Flic Ou Voyou

TOPSPEED:

Eldorado Allen

D Express:

The Widdow Maker

Daily Mail:

The Flier Begley

The Star:

Dubai Days

Daily Record:

Dubai Days

Daily Mirror:

Glynn

Telegraph:

Le Milos

POSTDATA:

Flic Ou Voyou

WEST COUNTRY:

Eldorado Allen