February 14 / 15.15 Haydock

15.15

Good To Soft

William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 4f 97y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
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William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: P-221P C BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Impressive when winning the Tommy Whittle here (extended 3m1f, soft) in December and on that evidence today's 10lb higher mark may not be beyond this unexposed 7yo; he's a lot better than he showed at Doncaster (3m, soft) three weeks ago but has something to prove following that flop.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Grand Geste

10st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Suffered two flops in his last three races but the latest was in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham; both wins since December have been here (3m1f/3m4f), latterly in the 11-runner Grand National Trial that always takes some winning; if on a going day then he would have strong claims, for all that softer ground would be preferred.

2/1

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Grand Geste

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Impressive in a useful handicap at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft) and, following a Doncaster flop, even better when he emerged on top in the Grand National Trial back at Haydock (extended 3m4f, good to soft); up another 6lb but little to prove regarding stamina and should have more to give.

14/1

1st

7

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Grand Geste

10st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Impressive when winning the Tommy Whittle here (extended 3m1f, soft) in December and on that evidence today's 10lb higher mark may not be beyond this unexposed 7yo; he's a lot better than he showed at Doncaster (3m, soft) three weeks ago but has something to prove following that flop.

10/1

Form: 4P1-19 C

Last run: 56 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
10yo who posted a career-best performance with comfortable win here (extended 3m1f, good to soft) in November, and he's also won on soft ground; not written off after just one below-par run but he was well held in the Tommy Whittle here in December and has to leave that effort miles behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

32

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Top Of The Bill

10st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

One of several who are now in the veteran stage but also in the form of their lives; 7l winner at Haydock (extended 3m1f) in November and returned there with an excellent, rallying second in the Grand National Trial (extended 3m4f, again good to soft) in February; ridden last three starts by Toby McCain-Mitchell; back up 2lb and an interesting prospect for 4m2f but this is a much stronger race.

50/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who posted a career-best performance with comfortable win here (extended 3m1f, good to soft) in November, and he's also won on soft ground; not written off after just one below-par run but he was well held in the Tommy Whittle here in December and has to leave that effort miles behind.

25/1

1st

1

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Took very well to fences last season, winning three times over 3m (good to soft-soft), but returned with two disappointing runs in the autumn; needs to get back on track and will have something to prove if the ground stays good (unraced on anything quicker than good to soft).

11/2

16/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 2-2261 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Built upon previous chasing promise to get off the mark at the seventh attempt over fences in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor last month (extended 3m4f, soft; from Holokea); from out of the handicap he's 9lb higher today but is unexposed in the headgear and further improvement is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Neo King

10st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Mrs C Williams

Lightly raced chaser for whom the cheekpieces are making a difference as he won going away at Windsor (soft) and came from the clouds to be third in Haydock's Grand National Trial (again 3m4f; good to soft; 1lb lower) when ahead of Deafening Silence, Git Maker and Grand Albert; unlikely to be anywhere near the front at the start here but he could be in the finish; stays 4m and he'll surely get this far.

9/1

3rd

11

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Neo King

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Built upon previous chasing promise to get off the mark at the seventh attempt over fences in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor last month (extended 3m4f, soft; from Holokea); from out of the handicap he's 9lb higher today but is unexposed in the headgear and further improvement is possible.

16/1

1st

13

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 162y

Class 3

15:35 Windsor

Neo King

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Evan Williams

0-9 under rules (0-6 over fences) but runner-up three times in a row (3m3f-3m6f, various ground) before beaten about 10l when sixth of 11 in the Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft), where his jumping help him back; it's possible he'll find greater fluency today in first-time cheekpieces; chance.

14/1

Form: 215-23

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 9yo who was suited by the step up in trip when third of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December; he's won on soft and heavy ground and may well have more to offer over marathon trips; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Deafening Silence

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Sole win in eight chases came in a three-runner novice but he was racing beyond 3m for the first time when not beaten far in the Welsh National and again he was very competitive in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft; could prove even better on soft); handicap mark hasn't really gone anywhere and he appeals as a likely type for this.

8/1

4th

5

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Deafening Silence

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced 9yo who was suited by the step up in trip when third of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December; he's won on soft and heavy ground and may well have more to offer over marathon trips; key player.

7/2

5th

1

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Uttoxeter

Deafening Silence

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear but in touch with leaders, jumped right 1st, jumped right and bumped rival 5th, slow jump 7th, some headway after 11th

11/4

Form: 030-3P

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
10yo whose form was patchy in 2025 and he was never going well when pulled up in the Welsh National in December (3m6f, good to soft); however, today's forecast soft ground could help and he's 4lb lower than when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m, soft); not written off in first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

17

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground, on which he was third in this race in 2024 and had for the first time since over fences when third of 16 off today's mark to Isaac Des Obeaux in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f) on latest outing; blinkered on last two outings; each-way claims.

11/1

3rd

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Git Maker

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground which he had when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m); hasn't had his favoured conditions since then over fences and, with the ground drying out (officially good to soft) in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time, he ran surprisingly well to be a close fifth, keeping on; the first-time blinkers fitted there, which did him no harm, are retained; chance.

8/1

5th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

10yo whose form was patchy in 2025 and he was never going well when pulled up in the Welsh National in December (3m6f, good to soft); however, today's forecast soft ground could help and he's 4lb lower than when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m, soft); not written off in first-time blinkers.

9/1

Form: 313-45

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
He's had jumping issues but was better in that department in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in the Tommy Whittle here (extended 3m1f, soft) in December, and the way he kept on for fifth of 12 behind Grand Geste (beaten about 14l) hints this step up in trip may be a good move; each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Grand Albert

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

He hasn't always been pretty over his fences but the cheekpieces might be helping in that respect and he's stayed on strongly at Haydock on his last two starts, over 3m1f and 3m4f; although behind some of these last time, he was digging in at the finish and this extreme stamina test might be up his street; very at home on soft ground.

12/1

6th

10

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Grand Albert

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Donald McCain

He's had jumping issues but was better in that department in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in the Tommy Whittle here (extended 3m1f, soft) in December, and the way he kept on for fifth of 12 behind Grand Geste (beaten about 14l) hints this step up in trip may be a good move; each-way chance.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1P6-P5

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
10yo who won at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) last February and returned to form when fifth of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December, when 7l and two places behind Deafening Silence; now back down to last winning mark and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Monbeg Genius

11st 10lb

J: Mr J L Scallan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Third in the Ultima here (3m1f, soft) in March 2023; this 10yo has run respectably in the Welsh National (3m6f, good to soft) and Haydock Grand National Trial (3m4f, good to soft) on his last two starts and is now below his last winning mark; not discounted with blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

33/1

7th

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Monbeg Genius

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

10yo who won at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) last February and returned to form when fifth of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December, when 7l and two places behind Deafening Silence; now back down to last winning mark and might not be far away.

11/1

6th

7

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Monbeg Genius

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Dictated the pace for a Uttoxeter win (3m, soft; 3lb higher today) in February with second-time cheekpieces (kept since) in a less demanding race than he's often appeared in; 13l fourth in the Welsh National (near 3m7f, soft) was respectable but he did not spark in the big one at Aintree three weeks ago and good ground would give him more to prove.

33/1

Form: P8-322 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
10yo whose 13-race losing sequence goes back to December 2023 but he's run some good races in the meantime (including on soft), most recently staying on for a neck second in the Peter Marsh here (extended 3m1f, good to soft); on that evidence he's well worth a crack at a marathon trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Richmond Lake

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

10yo whose 13-race losing sequence goes back to December 2023 but he's run some good races in the meantime (including on soft), most recently staying on for a neck second in the Peter Marsh here (extended 3m1f, good to soft); on that evidence he's well worth a crack at a marathon trip.

8/1

2nd

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Richmond Lake

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Ran really well when third in this last year (soft) and kept on for second at Aintree (2m4f, soft) last month, albeit no match for the winner; this 10yo has a good record here and, now 8lb lower than 12 months ago, he could be involved back up in trip.

10/1

Form: F11-F4

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Bad blunders have been costly on both starts this season and he comes with risk attached; however, he was going nicely in front when ploughing through three out in the Peter Marsh here (3m1f, good to soft) four weeks ago, and there remains optimism he is superior to a mark 15lb higher than when bolting up in the Ultima at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last March; has also won on soft and there's every chance he'll stay this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Myretown

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Prone to making a bad blunder and arrives with something to prove following heavy defeats on his last two starts; however, he hasn't been devoid of promise this season and he'll be a major player if tapping back into the promise shown when romping to victory at last season's Cheltenham Festival.

11/1

13th

14

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Myretown

10st 13lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Mistakes were costly on first two runs this term and he was pulled up at Haydock (extended 3m4f, good to soft) 24 days ago; not easy to fancy on the back of that but stamina may well have been an issue and he was hugely impressive when making all by 11l in this race last March (good to soft); might take plenty of catching, even now 15lb higher, if rediscovering that same dominant form.

10/1

Form: 2-3331

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Rivers Corner

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Easy win at Wincanton (3m2f, heavy) in January and bounced back from Haydock flop to win at Exeter (3m6f, good) recently, despite a bad mistake; clearly on the up and his stable has won two of the last six runnings.

9/2

1st

3

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Rivers Corner

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Tended to jump left on last two outings but that didn't stop him beating recent Midlands Grand National winner Isaac Des Obeaux by 21l at right-handed Wincanton (3m2f, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) on first occasion; pulled up in valuable Haydock marathon since but will be fine on the forecast good ground here and is a contender if back on song.

9/2

8

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Rivers Corner

10st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Running well in defeat this season, including over an extended 3m4f, before producing a career-best in a first-time tongue-tie to win easily at Wincanton (extended 3m2f, heavy); hit with a 9lb rise but he was impressive last time and could have more to offer in the tongue-tie; respected.

8/1

Form: -21222

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
7yo who has improved for the switch to fences this season, winning at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and finishing second on his three starts since, most recently behind Neo King in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft); progressive and he could be in the mix once more up 3lb for last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Holokea

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won bumper and maiden hurdle when on good ground; scored at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and runner-up in four of his other six chases, including when mown down late on in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft) in January; ran poorly over C&D next time and well beaten at Cheltenham Festival on latest but both those races were much warmer than this.

5/1

8th

17

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Holokea

10st 8lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Won at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and runner-up in four of his other five chases, including when mown down late on in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft) in January; progressive to that point but then ran poorly behind Grand Geste at Haydock on latest outing.

33/1

9

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Holokea

10st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

7yo who has improved for the switch to fences this season, winning at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft) in October and finishing second on his three starts since, most recently behind Neo King in a big field at Windsor (extended 3m4f, soft); progressive and he could be in the mix once more up 3lb for last time.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £139.80
Straight Forecast £132.47
Tricast £2211.02
Trifecta £1604.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Myretown

TOPSPEED:

Deafening Silence

Telegraph:

Grand Geste

The Times:

Grand Albert

Daily Mirror:

Rivers Corner

THE NORTH:

Richmond Lake

LAMBOURN:

Git Maker

Daily Mail:

Grand Geste

RP RATINGS:

Myretown

POSTDATA:

Myretown

D Express:

Myretown

The Sun:

Myretown

The Star:

Myretown

The Guardian:

Deafening Silence

Daily Record:

Deafening Silence