October 24 / 15.35 Cheltenham

15.35

Good

squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £52030
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
View Course
squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly sunny

11/4

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 255-02 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over fences as a novice last season and he has Cheltenham form after finishing a 7l fifth in the Grand Annual; last month's Listowel effort was encouraging (2m1f, yielding to soft) and his yard has been banging in the winners in Ireland; clear claims with the promise of more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Jasko Des Dames

11st 3lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Returned to form back on better ground when fifth, beaten just over 10l, in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good); he led jumping two out at the Festival and this less demanding track could be right up his street.

12/1

5th

19

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jasko Des Dames

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

7l fifth in this last March (good to soft); runner-up on both starts in the autumn (including C&D) and soft ground may have been against him when down the field at Leopardstown (2m1f) last month; he's 5lb higher than 12 months ago but is not discounted each-way for his good Irish stable.

14/1

12th

7

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

16:05 Leopardstown

Jasko Des Dames

10st 13lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Dual winner over fences as a novice last season and finished 7l fifth in the Grand Annual; Listowel effort on return was encouraging (2m1f, yielding to soft); no match for the Dan Skelton-trained Calico at Cheltenham in October; winner backed that up with an Ascot win.

13/2

10/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 7312-4 D

Last run: 176 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Has done well since joining this yard, winning four handicaps (divided between hurdles/fences) and a career-best run to be second in a 2m Grade 1 at last season's Grand National meeting, after which he struggled in another at Punchestown; has got himself high in the weights, some 19lb higher than for his Doncaster win three starts back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Brookie

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Has proved difficult to place since last win in March 2025 and form has taken a downturn of late; has the worst chance at the weights back up in class.

66/1

13th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Brookie

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Pulled up in Ascot handicap in November and tailed off on sole outing since in the Champion Chase last month; it's hard to say what sort of form he's in but this C&D brought out the very best in him when runner-up in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase (good) 12 months ago; could go well back here.

16/1

8th

1

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Brookie

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lacked fluency and ran poorly at Ascot when last seen; ran creditably in C&D handicap the time before but that form is a long way below Champion Chase standard and he's comfortably held by Majborough on Punchestown festival running; has the worst chance on ratings.

125/1

Form: 437P-2 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Behind a couple of these when seventh in last season's Grand Annual here but this dual chase winner has the benefit of a positive recent run at Kelso on good ground that would have been lively enough for him; should run well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Traprain Law

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Running well in the main this season, winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and good third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January last time; this two-time course winner was runner-up in this race two years ago and could again have a part to play.

4/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Traprain Law

10st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up to progressive winner at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last month then went one better at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; by 3l); he remains 3lb lower than when third in this last year (good to soft) and could be firmly involved.

11/2

4th

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Traprain Law

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Behind a couple of these when seventh in last season's Grand Annual here but this dual chase winner has the benefit of a positive recent run at Kelso on good ground that would have been lively enough for him; should run well.

6/1

Form: 24225- CD

Last run: 181 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Won the Grand Annual here in 2024 and went close in last season's edition of that race (5lb lower than today), after which he flew too high in a Grade 1; career-high mark is eased by the 7lb claim of Harry Atkins and he shouldn't be underestimated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well.

2/5

4th

22

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Unexpected Party

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out.

4/1

1st

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level.

5/4

Form: 3215-0 D

Last run: 167 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Last seen running in the Swinton Hurdle and he's a much better chaser; this is his trip but being 5lb out of the weights is far from ideal, while record fresh is also a concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Mrs C Williams

Runs off a mark 10lb lower than when fifth of 14 in this last year, beaten just over 13l; he's run a couple of reasonable races this season but hasn't shown enough to suggest he's the one to be on today.

33/1

3rd

5

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 2

15:40 Chepstow

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 9lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Led close home to win this race off 5lb higher a year ago (soft ground) and was seemingly perked up by cheekpieces when third on both outings last month; made up considerable ground from the rear at Sandown (1m7f, soft) on latter occasion and has strong claims here if the headgear continues to aid him.

15/8

3rd

9

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Dr T J Eckleburg

10st 3lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Evan Williams

Acts on any ground; half-length second off 4lb higher in this contest 12 months ago; out of sorts this term until posting a resurgent effort, behind solid rivals, in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor most recently; enters calculations in the retained headgear.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 12133- CD

Last run: 203 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Races prominently; 13lb lower when narrowly denied by Calico in this last year but this mark is warranted judged on his subsequent improvement (very impressive in two handicap wins) and he was below his best in a Grade 1 at Aintree the final time (2m4f probably too far); much respected, especially as any rain won't bother him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Matata

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences.

14/1

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Matata

11st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track.

25/1

5th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Matata

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here.

33/1

Form: /0P68- D

Last run: 328 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Mostly disappointing since winning a Grade 3 2m1f handicap at Fairyhouse (soft; acts on good) in early 2024 for Willie Mullins, whom he left for 14,000gns; has been out for 11 months and watching brief seems the best approach.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

Uncle Phil

12st 2lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Chester Williams

Left Willie Mullins in the doldrums and hasn't got a lot going for current yard; others preferred.

20/1

4th

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 4

15:50 Ludlow

Uncle Phil

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Chester Williams

Very well handicapped on old form for Willie Mullins; nothing to shout about in first four runs for this yard but there was some encouragement last time, despite beating just one home, when third at Hereford (2m, good) 12 days ago; big danger if he builds on that from a career-low mark.

11/4

Form: 13432- CD

Last run: 204 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Filly

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Raced prominently before narrowly repelling Matata in this race 12 months ago and produced similar form in his last two races, when third to Brookie at Doncaster and then runner-up in the Red Rum at Aintree (ridden patiently); fully entitled to feature off this mark, though wouldn't appreciate softening ground.
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: 505-11 CD

Last run: 117 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
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.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.90
Straight Forecast £17.47
Tricast £77.36
Trifecta £114.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Calico

SPOTLIGHT:

Matata

Telegraph:

Jasko Des Dames

RP RATINGS:

Traprain Law

D Express:

Uncle Phil

Daily Record:

Jasko Des Dames

WEST COUNTRY:

Matata

Daily Mail:

Matata

The Star:

Matata

POSTDATA:

Traprain Law

The Times:

Calico

The Guardian:

Calico

Daily Mirror:

Calico

The Sun:

Calico