January 27 / 15.15 Doncaster

15.15

Good

Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26405
  • 2m 0f 78y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.40
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 2-42P1 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Bounced back from duff effort to win Castleford Chase at Wetherby (2m, soft) just after Christmas and is now 3-10 over fences; subsequent 3lb rise ought to be manageable and he'll be fine on today's faster ground; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Malystic

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now who isn't as good as he was and has predictably lost some of his old speed; hasn't been running badly in handicaps at about this trip but looks vulnerable.

8/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:13 Stratford

Malystic

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Peter Niven

On a good mark but an 11yo now and has lost some of his old zip; ran okay at Uttoxeter last time but got outpaced when it mattered and was never threatening; what will help here is the likelihood of a good pace and some rain; respected.

10/1

4th

3

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Malystic

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now and, in first-time cheekpieces, finished well behind at Ayr in a race he had done well in previously; this wouldn't be so demanding and his penultimate effort was quite encouraging; by no means ruled out.

14/1

OUR TIP

100/30

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0-6511 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 5yo who has made excellent start to chasing career, winning in good style at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) and Hereford (2m, soft); contests a much more competitive race here but still taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Saint Segal

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Progressive front-runner who has won two handicaps this term (2m3f/2m1f, good to firm/soft) and came second in the Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, heavy) in February; a bad mistake at the first fence all but ended his race in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month; sent off 50-1 at the Festival and his form has to go to a new level if he's to pose a threat today.

50/1

10

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Saint Segal

11st 10lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Acts on any ground; has become a very consistent chaser; form figures this term read 12122, the second-place finishes in Grade 2 events, including handicaps; ran creditably behind a leading novice in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; even if he gives his running again, that won't be nearly enough to trouble the judge now that he is upped further in class; a lot to find.

50/1

2nd

7

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Saint Segal

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Acts on soft ground; has become a very consistent handicap chaser; form figures this term read 1212, the second-place finishes behind progressive Thistle Ask in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton; better than ever, has won at Newbury and looks sure to run his race; rock-solid claims.

7/2

20/1

  • Place: £9.20

Form: 3-1146 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Began this season with two good-ground wins at Kelso (2m1f), latterly when too strong for Malystic off today's mark in October,; well beaten at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day but should be better suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far.

14/1

3

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Has a good record here but all his best days have been over shorter distances and, now an 11yo, he's leaving it late to prove his worth over this far.

14/1

5th

2

22nd Mar 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

15:35 Kelso

Gold Des Bois

11st 8lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, weakened 5 out

7/2

Form: 426-33 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Has finished rather weakly on both appearances this season but was third behind two progressive rivals at Ascot (2m1f, good) in November and is now 4lb lower than when dead-heating for second behind a smart opponent in this race last year (good ground); enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

prominent, chased clear leader after 4th

10/1

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

Will be suited by today's good ground and was a very useful handicap chaser in his prime but was out of form for Fergal O'Brien when last seen last summer and it's hard to gauge how much ability he retains as a 12yo.

10/1

5th

3

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 3

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Before Midnight

11st 8lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ran well in defeat in Ludlow hunter chase (2m4f, soft) in April but was well beaten when back in a handicap two months ago and is patently not the force of old; pulled up at 2023 Cheltenham Festival on only previous start in cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: 11P-11 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Has perfect 5-5 record over fences, the latest win gained here (2m3f, good) two months ago; today's race looks more competitive but the drop back in trip won't be a problem and he might still be improving.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Mackenberg

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Multiple winner at up to 2m5f but none since 2022 and the last year or so hasn't gone well; this belated step up to 3m (having run over 2m last time) is perhaps more in hope than expectation.

20/1

1

17th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

18:30 Uttoxeter

Mackenberg

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Multiple winner at up to 2m5f but none since 2022 and the last year or so hasn't gone well; this belated step up to 3m (having run over 2m last time) is perhaps more in hope than expectation.

20/1

Form: 34-F59 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Smart chaser in his prime but, following a disappointing spell with Paul Nicholls, has been safely held in two handicap hurdles since rejoining Harry Whittington; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:59 Chepstow

Rouge Vif

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Smart 2m chaser in his prime; generally very disappointing in recent years and absent since pulled up for Richard Bandey last May, but makes debut for latest new stable on a very tempting mark; worth a second look.

10/1

4th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

14:59 Chepstow

Rouge Vif

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Smart 2m chaser in his prime; generally very disappointing in recent years and absent since pulled up for Richard Bandey last May, but makes debut for latest new stable on a very tempting mark; worth a second look.

10/1

2

9th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

15:25 Huntingdon

Rouge Vif

12st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Wins this all day on back class (RPRs peaked at 164 in 2020), but he lost his way in 2022-23 and second place (beaten 23l; made mistakes) on his stable debut in March owed plenty to others' mishaps; down in class and dropped another 5lb, but still couldn't have absolute faith in a revival.

8/1

Form: 11-411 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Pulled a long way clear of the others with a next-time-out winner when prevailing by a neck over C&D (good) last month and looked in even better nick when scoring by 9l at Sandown (1m7f, soft) three weeks ago; must be considered in current mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Xcitations

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts.

7/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Xcitations

12st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.

9/4

2nd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Xcitations

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester.

4/1

Form: 112-54 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Took pretty well to chasing last season (two wins) and returned from break with perfectly respectable fourth at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) last month; needs to build on that recent performance here but will be suited by the forecast good ground and is not yet fully exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Prince Escalus

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since below-par effort in the 2024 Summer Plate and hasn't won for over two years; however, he's well treated on best form and market support should be noted.

10/1

Form: 31-5F2

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Came good under rules with two chase wins towards end of last season (2m3f/2m4f) and was running big race before penultimate-fence fall at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in November; slightly disappointing when well-held second in novice hurdle last month but was given a wind op (his second) soon afterwards; has possibilities if combination of drop back in trip and first-time blinkers gets the best out of him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

16:05 Hereford

Soldier Of Destiny

12st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Quickly developed into useful chaser in early 2022 but has lost his way a bit since; disappointing odds-on favourite when bidding to exploit novice status over hurdles in December and reverts to this sphere after two non-completions over fences; needs good boost from first-time cheekpieces; suited by good and soft ground.

13/2

1

13th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

16:05 Hereford

Soldier Of Destiny

12st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Quickly developed into useful chaser in early 2022 but has lost his way a bit since; disappointing odds-on favourite when bidding to exploit novice status over hurdles in December and reverts to this sphere after two non-completions over fences; needs good boost from first-time cheekpieces; suited by good and soft ground.

13/2

33/1

Form: -14263 D

Last run: 65 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Five-time chase winner, most recently at Kelso (2m1f, good) last May; now only 1lb above that mark but wasn't firing when last seen in the autumn and is not the force of old; others have much more appealing profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

9th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

18:10 Tipperary

Joke Dancer

11st 0lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick Griffin

held up in rear, struggling before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

12

9th May 2024

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

18:10 Tipperary

Joke Dancer

11st 0lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick Griffin

held up in rear, struggling before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out

25/1

10th

6

24th Apr 2024

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

17:20 Bellewstown

Joke Dancer

11st 9lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: Patrick Griffin

midfield

16/1

Form: 2-F23P D BF

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Returned from long absence to win major handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November 2021 and made quite promising chasing debut in November last year, but his run at Kempton on Boxing Day was disappointing and he returns from wind surgery with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

17th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

West Cork

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Pulled up over fences the last twice and something to prove regarding current form, but the return to hurdles could be just what he needs and he's well treated on last season's best form in this sphere; in calculations.

11/4

2

9th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 2

16:10 Huntingdon

West Cork

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Last win came in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November 2021; feasibly treated despite being 5lb higher and he'll probably be glad to see the back of fences; couldn't be too dismissive.

4/1

6

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

West Cork

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Returned from long absence to win major handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November 2021 and made quite promising chasing debut in November last year, but his run at Kempton on Boxing Day was disappointing and he returns from wind surgery with a point to prove.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.80
Straight Forecast £33.23
Tricast £794.17
Trifecta £963.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Saint Segal

Telegraph:

Mackenberg

RP Ratings:

Before Midnight

LAMBOURN:

Soldier Of Destiny

TOPSPEED:

Joke Dancer

POSTDATA:

Saint Segal

The Times:

Saint Segal

The Guardian:

Saint Segal

The Sun:

Saint Segal

The Star:

Saint Segal

D Express:

Mackenberg

Daily Mirror:

Mackenberg

Daily Record:

Mackenberg

Daily Mail:

Before Midnight