January 23 / 16.18 Warwick

16.18

Good To Soft

Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters’ Chase

  • Prize money: £2566.5
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters’ Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hunter Chase

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.10
  • Place: £1.70

Form: /93P3-

Last run: 307 days

W: 12st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Very useful handicapper at his best, albeit with very mixed record in Britain; absent since well-held third at Newbury (2m7f, good) last March but has possibilities if in the right mood on hunter chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Golden Son

12st 8lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful handicapper; easy winner of two hunter chases before a commendable fourth in the big one at the Cheltenham Festival; he was only 17-2 for the Aintree version but never emerged from midfield; entitled to take care of these.

8/15

12th

11

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Golden Son

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful handicapper who posted easy wins this year in his first two hunter chases (3m/2m7f, good to soft/heavy); 14l fourth at the Cheltenham Festival last month (3m2f, good to soft) so has work to do with some of these, but he was left behind up the hill and is not ruled out back down in trip.

12/1

4th

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Golden Son

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Returned from ten months off to win hunter chases at Warwick (3m, good to soft) and Taunton (2m7f, heavy); not remotely pressed on either occasion and the RPRs were highly respectable; Paul Nicholls has won this four times and this 8yo could be interesting, provided he lasts home.

14/1

25/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 427/P-

Last run: 344 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won heavy-ground point by wide margin in November and may warrant each-way consideration if conditions become very testing here but he struggled in his latest point and others in this field have much stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

16:40 Cheltenham

Paul Marvel

12st 0lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: J J O’Shea

Beaten 6l by Golden Son at Warwick in January and his subsequent wins (in the new cheekpieces) were races he was entitled to win at odds-on; lacks Cheltenham experience; opposable.

66/1

1st

1

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

16:20 Leicester

Paul Marvel

12st 4lb

J: Mr Henry Crow

T: J J O’Shea

Took well to first-time cheekpieces in similar event (2m6f, heavy) at the last Leicester fixture, opening his chase account; solid effort on penultimate start; commands respect in the retained headgear.

2/1

1st

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Paul Marvel

12st 0lb

J: Mr Henry Crow

T: J J O’Shea

Maiden hurdle and two-time point winner (including on heavy ground) who was runner-up in a hunter chase at Warwick (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; that performance reads well in today's context and he's a key player in first-time cheekpieces.

11/10

20/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 533/8/

Last run: 978 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 novice chase winner for Willie Mullins in 2020 but absent since running respectably in Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May 2023 and it's very hard to gauge how much ability he retains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

Franco De Port

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Miss Nikki Henton

Grade 1 novice chase winner for Willie Mullins in 2020 but absent since running respectably in Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May 2023 and it's very hard to gauge how much ability he retains.

20/1

3rd

9

15th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

16:10 Cheltenham

Franco De Port

11st 7lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Grade 1 novice chase winner at Leopardstown in December 2020 and creditable fourth in the 3m Grade 1 Savills Chase there in December this season; this classy sort is Willie Mullins' sole contender and could have a part to play if he takes to this unique course at the first attempt.

7/1

Form: /32P6- D

Last run: 275 days

W: 12st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground Southwell hunter chase in spring 2024 and was clear second at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) last February, after a break; absent since below-par Ludlow run last April but not out of this if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Havent Time

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Miss S McQueen

No threat to easy winner when second at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) last month but that was still a pretty good effort and he'll probably be better suited by the less testing ground here; a possible.

14/1

2nd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Havent Time

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Miss S McQueen

Won hunter chase at Southwell (3m, soft) in March 2024 and runner-up in this race last February (good to soft); this 12yo was no match for Golden Son when fourth at Warwick (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago; could improve for that reappearance outing but others still make greater appeal.

33/1

Form: 5914-5 D

Last run: 265 days

W: 12st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who was very respectable fifth of 14 in quite valuable Uttoxeter handicap (3m, good) on latest outing in May; also suited by soft ground and has big role to play if fully tuned up for hunter chase debut; blinkers removed after one use.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

Slipway

11st 12lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: James Luck

Former winner of Highland and Southern Nationals (good to soft), so surprising he didn't see out 3m here on January's hunter chase debut; back on track in a Siddington novice riders' point latest, additionally a first career success on good ground; safe ride (never falls) and not dismissed.

4/1

5th

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

Slipway

12st 6lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Ben Pauling

Thorough stayer who was very respectable fifth of 14 in quite valuable Uttoxeter handicap (3m, good) on latest outing in May; also suited by soft ground and has big role to play if fully tuned up for hunter chase debut; blinkers removed after one use.

11/2

5th

6

3rd May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

17:55 Uttoxeter

Slipway

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won over hurdles after wind surgery and then ran okay to be fourth over 3m at Kempton in a race he won the previous season; there's nothing wrong with his mark and always a chance that blinkers will bring him on.

16/1

Form: -55712 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Commendable second in last season's Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) and as good as ever in recent 2m4f handicaps; stays 3m well and won't be fazed if the ground turns soft (unraced on heavy); ought to be hard to beat on return to hunter chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Jet Plane

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Still in front when falling on his return to hunter chasing in January but ran miserably at Leicester next time where soft ground was no excuse; had been in good form in handicaps before those setbacks and would take some beating if back on song.

6/4

3rd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:50 Leicester

Jet Plane

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Good form in handicaps this winter includes a Leicester success; still in front when falling at Warwick returned to hunter chasing last time; retains all of his ability and is top on the figures in this field.

1/2

2

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

Jet Plane

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Commendable second in last season's Aintree Foxhunters' (2m5f, good to soft) and as good as ever in recent 2m4f handicaps; stays 3m well and won't be fazed if the ground turns soft (unraced on heavy); ought to be hard to beat on return to hunter chasing.

6/5

Form: 6/74F- D

Last run: 296 days

W: 12st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old and might be better suited by right-handed tracks but ran well from the front when close fourth in open point at left-handed Chaddesley Corbett (3m, good to soft; also suited by soft) last month; considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

One True King

12st 6lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Miss B Coward

Not the force of old and might be better suited by right-handed tracks but ran well from the front when close fourth in open point at left-handed Chaddesley Corbett (3m, good to soft; also suited by soft) last month; considered each-way.

14/1

1

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:48 Ludlow

One True King

12st 6lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Miss B Coward

Useful handicapper chaser when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a good record at this track; this season's pointing form for new stable has been underwhelming, though, and he was safely held when fourth in a Leicester hunter chase (2m, good to soft) last month.

10/1

1

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:48 Ludlow

One True King

12st 6lb

J: Mr Martin McIntyre

T: Miss B Coward

Useful handicapper chaser when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, with a good record at this track; this season's pointing form for new stable has been underwhelming, though, and he was safely held when fourth in a Leicester hunter chase (2m, good to soft) last month.

10/1

Form: 5540-U CD

Last run: 266 days

W: 12st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won this race in 2024 (soft ground) but never really got going last season and was very disappointing favourite in a point last month, after a layoff; now a teenager and needs to prove he still has what it takes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

DJango

12st 2lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Miss V Collins

Teenager who has gone over two years since his latest win and has been out of form this season (three runs); revival needed.

50/1

5

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

DJango

12st 2lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Miss V Collins

Won this race in 2024 (soft ground) but never really got going last season and was very disappointing favourite in a point last month, after a layoff; now a teenager and needs to prove he still has what it takes.

20/1

Non-runners

Time Leader, Good Boy Bobby

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.70
Straight Forecast £34.24
Trifecta £92.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jet Plane

Telegraph:

Golden Son

D Express:

Franco De Port

The Star:

Good Boy Bobby

RP RATINGS:

Jet Plane

TOPSPEED:

Jet Plane

POSTDATA:

Jet Plane

The Times:

Jet Plane

The Guardian:

Jet Plane

Daily Mail:

Jet Plane

Daily Mirror:

Jet Plane

The Sun:

Jet Plane

Daily Record:

Jet Plane