January 29 / 16.00 Fontwell

16.00

Good To Soft

Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6654.06
  • 2m 5f 135y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 94-723 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Left disappointing chasing debut a long way behind when clear second to a subsequent winner at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good to soft) last month and again ran well when clear third there (3m, heavy) on New Year's Eve; still has very low mileage; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Art Decco

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won by 9l over C&D (soft) in December, matching his gutsy win in this race last year (heavy) as a career best; one problem is that both of those were off 6lb lower than today; another is that he showed little in the Surrey National last time, but he needs plenty of respect back here.

5/1

2

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Art Decco

11st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Showed career-best form when winning by 9l at Exeter (3m6f, soft) last month and is now 6-15 over fences; should be fine on this left-handed track but recent 7lb rise asks quite a lot of him.

7/1

6th

5

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Art Decco

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won three in a row once the cheekpieces were added early last year and he was better than ever last season, winning the Devon National (3m6f) on latest start; only 1lb higher today but this is a big drop back in trip and he's raced on only soft or heavy going for the last two years.

100/30

16/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 4-P665

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Generally very disappointing for Richard Rowe last year and hurdling strike-rate stands at 0-11; seemed to have arrested his decline when respectable fifth here (2m5f, good) last month but needs to build on that performance on today's chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:28 Taunton

Aikenbreakinheart

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Won at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last March on his second chase start and is now 5lb lower, but he's struggled on his three starts since and may be best watched on this first outing since December.

50/1

11

11th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:28 Taunton

Aikenbreakinheart

10st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Won at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last March on his second chase start and is now 5lb lower, but he's struggled on his three starts since and may be best watched on this first outing since December.

50/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 713-65

Last run: 67 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Dug deep to cause 16-1 surprise on chasing debut at Taunton (2m, soft) last March but hasn't been in the same form again since; unexposed over this sort of trip but needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:58 Newton Abbot

Master Mikey Dee

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Richenda Ford

Well over three years since his only win; out of form and out of the weights; little significance in the return of cheekpieces.

14/1

4th

10

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:23 Fontwell

Master Mikey Dee

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Plugged on for fairly respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) last month but it's over three years since his only win and he's a good way out of the handicap again here.

25/1

4th

10

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:23 Fontwell

Master Mikey Dee

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Plugged on for fairly respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) last month but it's over three years since his only win and he's a good way out of the handicap again here.

25/1

Form: 636P4P D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Now 11lb lower than when opening British account with eased-down success at Ffos Las (2m3f, good) last April but inconsistent and generally disappointing since; will find this easier than latest assignment in Sussex National at Plumpton but remains difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

3rd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell

Abaya Du Mathan

11st 3lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

13yo who has inconsistent recent form but was successful (off 1lb lower) in December on most recent Southwell start; not ruled out.

13/2

4th

4

13th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 201y

Class 5

15:49 Leicester

Abaya Du Mathan

11st 5lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Multiple chase winner who made it three for the year at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December; hasn't run to the same level since, a recent second at Huntingdon being a remote one, and others further up the list.

14/1

2nd

4

2nd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:55 Huntingdon

Abaya Du Mathan

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Veteran who had a clearcut win at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December from Extraordinary Man, his 11th chase win; not so good at Hereford or Warwick (on Tuesday) since, however.

6/1

Form: 4F-PPP

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
0-9 in points and 0-14 under rules; badly out of sorts this season (pulled up on all three appearances) and beginning to look a lost cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

28th Feb 2023

Good To Firm

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:00 Leicester

Captain Cuckoo

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Mark Gillard

4th

3

12th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

14:00 Exeter

Captain Cuckoo

11st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Mark Gillard

prominent, pushed along from 8th, ridden after 11th, soon no chance, tailed off

50/1

5th

8

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Captain Cuckoo

10st 9lb

J: David Noonan

T: Mark Gillard

0-9 in points and 0-14 under rules; badly out of sorts this season (pulled up on all three appearances) and beginning to look a lost cause.

50/1

OUR TIP

Form: -42251

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Four-time chase winner who looked as good as ever when scoring easily by 13l at Plumpton (2m3f, soft) four weeks ago; also suited by this track and likely to make his presence felt again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

23rd Oct 2023

Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

En Coeur

10st 13lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

All four wins have been gained at this track and latest was over C&D (soft) in January; that was off 2b higher but he's not come close to that form since and was a well-held third of four at Fontwell on his recent return after another wind op; has bit to prove and he needs a major revival.

10/1

3rd

3

6th Oct 2023

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

16:40 Fontwell

En Coeur

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

jumped slightly right throughout, raced in third, not fluent 2nd, lost ground before 8th, dropped to last and struggling after 4 out

8/1

4th

3

16th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

En Coeur

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

held up in rear

7/1

Form: 3-3P2P CD

Last run: 55 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Regressive and inconsistent 10yo; proved he retains significant ability when second at Lingfield (2m6f, soft) in November but looked reluctant when pulled up there last month and it's hard to tell whether he'll warm to the task here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Waikiki Waves

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary Moore

Regressive and inconsistent 10yo; proved he retains significant ability when second at Lingfield (2m6f, soft) in November but looked reluctant when pulled up there last month and it's hard to tell whether he'll warm to the task here.

13/2

3

5th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

15:25 Lingfield

Waikiki Waves

11st 9lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

6-21 over fences but his latest win was over 2m7f on heavy ground here over hurdles last December; none too consistent but back down the weights and well capable of figuring prominently, as he showed when runner-up to Ramore Will here three weeks ago.

6/1

Form: PPP-03 C

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles here (2m3f, soft) just under a year ago but has badly lost his way since, and was well beaten when third of four on return to chasing in November; has a lot to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: /47P-3

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
0-18 over fences but gave pretty good account when third on recent seasonal/stable debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) and is another 3lb lower here; could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 5y

Class 5

14:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Twasnt The Plan

10st 11lb

J: Mitchell Bastyan

T: Robbie Llewellyn

0-25 under rules and lightly raced in recent years; won a small-field point last spring and was placed at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) on stable debut in January but weakened tamely at Fontwell later that month and others here have more appealing profiles; hood refitted.

8/1

6

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

16:00 Fontwell

Twasnt The Plan

11st 0lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Robbie Llewellyn

0-18 over fences but gave pretty good account when third on recent seasonal/stable debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) and is another 3lb lower here; could have a say.

13/2

3rd

5

1st Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

13:45 Fakenham

Twasnt The Plan

11st 8lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Robbie Llewellyn

0-17 over fences but easy winner of a two-finisher maiden point when last seen out in April (trained by Fergal O'Brien); form under Rules prior to that wasn't strong and hard to know quite what to expect on return from a break on yard debut;

10/1

Form: 0-P333 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner when trained in Ireland; well held when third on last two appearances but gave pretty good account when filling that position over hurdles in November and can't be ruled out off career-low mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

27th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

14:45 Cartmel

Allardyce

10st 2lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Paul Henderson

Not his fault when falling at Fontwell this month but had been pulled up in his three previous outings and now 0-14 in Britain; lot to prove.

33/1

7

10th May 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:15 Fontwell

Allardyce

10st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Paul Henderson

High-mileage 11yo who has looked out of sorts and been pulled up on all three starts this year; urgently needs to prove he still has what it takes; 2lb out of the weights.

33/1

8

22nd Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Warwick

Allardyce

10st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

Ex-Irish 11yo who has been campaigned mostly over fences for current yard; pulled up the last twice; not disgraced on last attempt over hurdles but he's on a long losing run.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.90
Straight Forecast £26.41
Tricast £168.40
Trifecta £240.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Art Decco

Daily Mirror:

En Coeur

RP Ratings:

Art Decco

TOPSPEED:

Art Decco

POSTDATA:

Art Decco

WEST COUNTRY:

Art Decco

The Times:

Art Decco

Telegraph:

Art Decco

D Express:

Art Decco

The Sun:

Art Decco

Daily Record:

Art Decco

The Star:

En Coeur