January 20 / 13.30 Haydock

13.30

Frozen

Sky Bet Request A Bet Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 0f 67y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
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Sky Bet Request A Bet Handicap Chase

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 436-23 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Three-time hurdle winner (heavy-good to soft; including here) who was a good second on chase debut at Ffos Las (2m3f, heavy) last month before a respectable third of five at Cheltenham (2m, heavy); beaten about 8l last time but looked a hot little race; respected in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Fine Casting

12st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Below par when returning to hurdling at Southwell (2m4f, good) in March; has dropped 2lb since finishing fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on his most recent chase start and has claims if able to reproduce the form of that or his Bangor success (2m4f, soft) last November; acts on a sound surface.

10/1

3rd

1

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:30 Southwell

Fine Casting

12st 0lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Good and bad since returned to fences (1P4); runs off a lower hurdles mark but he is a 10yo and without a win in this discipline since 2022.

6/1

Form: 322-41 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who was consistent in defeat in novice hurdles last season and easily won a three-runner beginners' chase over C&D (heavy) four weeks ago on his second run over fences; the strength of that form is open to question but he's unexposed and in top hands; could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Worcester

Issuing Authority

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, struggling when slow jump 3 out, soon pulled up

7/2

6th

8

30th Jun 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Issuing Authority

10st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Low-mileage 7yo who won three-runner beginners' chase on heavy ground during the winter; probably raced too close to hot pace when weakening fifth in Cartmel race won by Al Zaraqaan last month, and may still have potential.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1P4-44 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Has dropped to a mark 2lb lower than when making all at Ayr (2m, heavy) last January on his second chase start; however, he's been unable to threaten subsequently and needs to raise his game; wears cheekpieces for the first time under rules (won a point-to-point in them).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Escapeandevade

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bounced back from an off day at Sandown to win a small-field Newbury event; this is tougher, but he is generally reliable.

14/1

2nd

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Escapeandevade

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form.

5/2

5

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Escapeandevade

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form.

5/1

Form: 2-2331 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Has been a beaten favourite three times since winning at Ayr (2m, heavy) last January but things clicked again with an easy win over this C&D (heavy) four weeks ago; a 7lb rise may not stop him if can reproduce that latest form; heavy ground appears to bring out the best in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:07 Ayr

Netywell

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Regressive 9yo who is sliding down the weights; has two wins over C&D and has won off 9lb higher so cannot be discounted.

2/1

4th

2

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:43 Ayr

Netywell

11st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

C&D winner who is well handicapped on form as recent as last March and today's drop back in grade could help; however, his performances have been patchy this season and he needs to get back on track.

20/1

Form: 6-3322 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler in France up to November 2021; unable to reproduce that form in Britain and he could do with settling better, but he's been a good second at Newbury (2m, soft) the last twice, when bumping into much-improved winners each time, and a return to winning ways may well be imminent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Martator

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces.

50/1

3

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Martator

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

12/1

Verdict

Course hurdles winner Fine Casting has shown promise on both chase starts but preference is for MARTATOR, who has been unfortunate to bump into much-improved winners the last twice. Issuing Authority and Netywell won on the same C&D card four weeks ago and are entitled to respect.[Ben Hutton]