January 17 / 14.20 Ascot

14.20

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £52030
  • 2m 5f 13y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 212-22

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Reliable sort, runner-up in competitive events on last three starts; followed fine effort behind a thriving Panic Attack in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) with another good run there five weeks ago when a mistake at the last didn't help; has notably solid form and high on the list again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Vincenzo

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Ran well in this race last year and similarly notable handicaps at Cheltenham in November/December; confirmed his reliability by justifying favouritism at Ascot (2m5f, soft) most recently, taking chase record to 1212221; rock-solid contender who again looks sure to be involved.

11/4

1st

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Vincenzo

10st 13lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Reliable sort, runner-up in competitive events on last three starts; followed fine effort behind a thriving Panic Attack in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) with another good run there five weeks ago when a mistake at the last didn't help; has notably solid form and high on the list again.

2/1

2nd

8

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Vincenzo

10st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

All wins at about 2m; has form figures of 121 since switched to fences, winning at Sandown (soft) most recently; connections landed the big handicap chase at Kempton last Saturday with a similar type; interesting contender, assuming he's as effective back up in distance.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: P5-154 D BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Wasn't going from some way out when favourite behind Etalon here last time but he'd previously won comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good) and run creditably in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where the hill proved too much; still relatively young; 5lb better off with Etalon and could turn the tables.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Bad

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicap chaser at up to 2m5f, albeit quirky and having saved his winning in this sphere for Kempton; admittedly right up to best in Ascot contest on penultimate start; last two efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring but he comes with some risk, especially in such a competitive field.

20/1

3rd

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Bad

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but talented and his win in this last year was the first of three victories at this track (2m2f-2m4f); he's close to a career-high mark, off which he went close last month at Ascot (2m5f, soft) despite looking disinterested early doors; a danger to all.

9/4

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Bad

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wasn't going from some way out when favourite behind Etalon here last time but he'd previously won comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good) and run creditably in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where the hill proved too much; still relatively young; 5lb better off with Etalon and could turn the tables.

5/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 1-5291 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Far from reliable but he's a classy chaser on his day, as he showed when making all under a dynamic ride over 2m3f here just before Christmas; the cheekpieces need to work for a second time and he's unproven over this longer distance, but he still can't be ruled out if on another going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Etalon

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time.

7/2

Form: 608-55 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Does most of his racing these days at Cheltenham but well below par there of late, including when fifth of eight in a veterans' race in December; perhaps wind surgery (not his first) will spark a revival but he's probably best watched all the same.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Fugitif

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Richard Hobson

No win since late 2023 and he hasn't got a lot going this season; he had run well but looked on the retreat when unseating in Outlaw Peter's race here 11 days ago (visor replaced usual cheekpieces).

12/1

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Fugitif

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Richard Hobson

Winless since December 2023 and hasn't posed a serious threat this season; however, he was best of the rest behind easy winner Guard Your Dreams at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) last time and continues to drop down the weights; handles various ground; not ruled out in first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces).

8/1

2nd

3

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Fugitif

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

Quirky customer who is without a win since December 2023 and has become frustrating; that said, he ran well for a long way in a valuable Ascot handicap (2m5f, soft) three weeks ago and is another 4lb lower here.

15/2

Form: 2P7-13 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Hitman

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off.

33/1

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hitman

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that.

8/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Hitman

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6/1P-7 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 11lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 12yo; had a record of 3-3 for Willie Mullins and 2-5 for Henry de Bromhead, but he was tailed off on stable debut at Cheltenham (22-1) on New Year's Day and needs to have come on a ton in the 16 days since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

4

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jungle Boogie

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Talented but delicate 12yo who has run just ten times over the years; conditions suit but he's been soundly beaten and pulled up in his two starts for new yard; will do very well to add to trainer's three wins in the race.

40/1

2

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Jungle Boogie

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Venetia Williams

Low-mileage 12yo; had a record of 3-3 for Willie Mullins and 2-5 for Henry de Bromhead, but he was tailed off on stable debut at Cheltenham (22-1) on New Year's Day and needs to have come on a ton in the 16 days since.

14/1

Form: 21-2P2 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Likes Ascot and performed right up to his best when chasing home Etalon here (2m3f, good to soft; fine on heavy) four weeks ago; just as effective over this sort of trip and now has his usual headgear back on after one go in blinkers; should be in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Scarface

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner and his last success was in this race (off 2lb lower) last year; has been in and out this season but he bounced back with a fair third in Class 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and he's versatile ground-wise.

12/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Scarface

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Inconsistent this season but has finished a good second on two occasions (November/December) and filled the same position in this race 12 months ago prior to beating Heltenham at Newton Abbot; well capable of posing a threat, provided he's back to form.

8/1

5th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Scarface

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Usually wears cheeekpieces; inconsistent (2P2P) this term but sole attempt in blinkers resulted in a good effort at Ascot (2m3f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied blinds.

6/1

Form: P8332F D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Now back to last winning mark and it looks as if he retains all his ability, coming from well back when second at Newbury on return and only a few lengths down when falling two out at Aintree on Boxing Day; versatile ground-wise and this sort of trip is ideal; interesting under 7lb claimer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Heltenham

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

All chase wins around 2m4f, including win at this meeting last year; Newbury specialist who landed fourth win at that track when bagging valuable handicap for second time on penultimate start; never won off a mark this high and drop back down to 2m also asks a question but he's impossible to rule out.

3/1

4th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Back to something like his best last time, registering a second success in the Greatwood Gold Cup and taking C&D record to 4-6; won this contest in 2023 and 2024; back up the weights but commands respect kept to a scenario that suits him ideally.

9/4

1st

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Heltenham

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 3-5 at Newbury features a success in this contest two years ago; proved no match for Twinjets in most recent course start and was a faller in last two handicap attempts (out of depth in Grade 1 since); however, holds a major chance off current mark provided he's in top form.

10/1

Form: 4-4514 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Led late on over C&D (good ground; handles softer) in November but that was an uncompetitive race and he was only fourth of six at Ludlow next time; still 3lb higher than for the win and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Neon Moon

11st 1lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

He won a four-runner handicap at Ascot (2m5f, good) in November but has failed to kick on subsequently, proving no match for Genois and Outlaw Peter when fifth at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) four weeks ago.

18/1

5th

4

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:40 Exeter

Neon Moon

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won an uncompetitive race by Ascot standards in November (2m5f) and then only fourth of six at Ludlow; fell mid-race back at Ascot last time; bit to prove on the balance of this form in the last 12 months.

15/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.80
Straight Forecast £13.07
Tricast £64.20
Trifecta £73.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Vincenzo

TOPSPEED:

Bad

RP RATINGS:

Heltenham

The Guardian:

Scarface

Daily Mail:

Hitman

Daily Mirror:

Neon Moon

The Star:

Jungle Boogie

POSTDATA:

Vincenzo

The Times:

Vincenzo

Telegraph:

Vincenzo

D Express:

Vincenzo

The Sun:

Vincenzo

Daily Record:

Vincenzo