November 02 / 14.58 Wetherby

14.58

Good

bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 0f 45y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV4
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bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 42P5-U D

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Made all in Grade 1 novice chase at Cheltenham Festival (3m, soft) in March 2023; 0-6 and inconsistent since, but he was a good second in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) this January and there were encouraging signs in the Kerry National at Listowel in September (3m, soft; clear second when falling six out); not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

The Real Whacker

10st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Patrick Neville

11lb below his peak mark and well handicapped judged on best efforts, the most recent of which were over 3m on good ground late in 2024; muted in this three runs this term, only one of which was over fences but he ended up tailed off in that Wetherby race, which he'd won a year earlier; those past glories may now be too distant.

66/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

The Real Whacker

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time.

4/1

3

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

The Real Whacker

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Front-runner who won this in good style last year (good) and again has the benefit of a recent run, which could give him an advantage over a few of these; can give a good account in first-time cheekpieces but it looks a hotter contest than 12 months ago and he carries a 6lb penalty this time.

4/1

10/11

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 22256- CD

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 166

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2022 (good to soft) and followed up in the King George before fine second in the Gold Cup (both on soft); didn't hit the same heights last season but still showed considerable spark when runner-up in this (soft) and the King George (good); reappears having had wind op; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Bravemansgame

11st 0lb

J: James Reveley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted.

40/1

15th

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Bravemansgame

11st 0lb

J: James Reveley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the 2022 King George and second in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup (he's unraced beyond that 3m2f); a run of seconds late in 2023 was creditable but more substantial doubts have now set in and various equipment has been tried; to look on the bright side, he makes his first foray outside Grade 1 or 2 for over three years and his handicap mark has plummeted.

40/1

3rd

5

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Bravemansgame

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, disputed lead from 5th

5/2

Form: 45126- D

Last run: 189 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Good third of five to Bravemansgame in this race in 2022 and did very well earlier this year when the visor went on, winning two veterans' chases (3m, soft/good) and posting a fine second at Aintree's Grand National meeting; however, this 12yo reappears without the visor and needs a career best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Sam Brown

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

The oldest of these veterans, being a 14yo, and bare form this term leaves a question mark over whether he retains the useful ability that has been present for a long time; however, won this race off 2lb higher last year (soft) and has a good chance if back on song.

9/1

10th

1

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Sam Brown

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Useful for a long time but has gained last three wins in veterans' events and, having turned 14 since November reappearance, can be opposed off current mark in this field.

20/1

Form: 2-2132

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Has thrived in staying handicaps this season, winning the competitive Summer Cup at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good to soft) in June and finishing second off a lofty mark at Worcester (2m7f, good) in August; this 10yo returns from a 66-day break and has something to find, but the form principals aren't guaranteed to be at their best at this stage of the season; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Hang In There

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Emma Lavelle

9-28 over fences, the latest win gained at Chepstow (2m7f, good to firm) in October; below that form three times on good to soft ground since but didn't run badly on penultimate appearance and will be better suited by the forecast good ground here; might be the answer.

9/2

4th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

17:00 Haydock

Hang In There

12st 1lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Emma Lavelle

Strike-rate of 9-27 over fences and his third in a veterans' chase at Newbury in February (3m2f) was encouraging given he had been absent for three months and good to soft ground would have been slow enough; should run well.

15/2

3rd

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Hang In There

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Emma Lavelle

Successful in similar event at Chepstow in October (penultimate start) and returns from another break with Rian Corcoran taking off a useful 7lb; however, chance largely depends on what the weather does (ideally needs a sound surface).

14/1

Form: U32-6U D BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 167

Form & Verdict
Winless since landing two Grade 1s at Leopardstown (yielding/soft) in 2022 but looked as good ever when runner-up in Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree (2m4f, soft) this April; unseated at first fence on return to action at Punchestown last month; very much a contender if bringing his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

16

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Conflated

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

Finished third in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup; showed some spark around Punchestown's banks course this February but this 12yo is nothing like the force of old and was well beaten in the cross-country race at Cheltenham last month; without a win since December 2022 and looks up against it.

66/1

9th

5

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Conflated

10st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Top class over regulation fences in his prime (dual 3m Grade 1 winner) but has regressed and become inconsistent; gave a pretty good account when placed behind Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy; refitted cheekpieces/first-time tongue-tie) last month but was well beaten on his only C&D start (in 2024); younger rivals appeal much more.

25/1

3rd

6

4th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 193y

12:28 Punchestown

Conflated

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

High-class in his day, winning a brace of Grade 1 Leopardstown contests at 3m; not at that level nowadays, including fourth in C&D cross-country chase at last year's festival; runner-up on latest two runs in point-to-points, most recently at Tyrella 11 days ago; new headgear combination; Jack Kennedy prefers The Goffer.

7/2

Form: 247021

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Ended a 12-race losing sequence when landing a Grade 3 at Punchestown (2m7f, good to yielding) last month; carries a 4lb penalty and will be vulnerable if some of these are close to their best, but he has a race-fitness edge over the main form players and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

French Dynamite

11st 12lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at Punchestown last October; often highly tried when with Mouse Morris; creditable third in the Kerry National on stable debut; fair chance with 5lb off again; trainer (responsible for last year's winner) also has Weveallbeencaught in the line-up.

9/1

3rd

5

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 180y

16:23 Listowel

French Dynamite

11st 6lb

J: G B Noonan

T: E McNamara

Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at Punchestown last October; often highly tried when with Mouse Morris; his new trainer knows what it takes to win this; possible each-way value.

20/1

2nd

6

3rd May 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

French Dynamite

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: M F Morris

Three chase wins, including a 2m7f Grade 3 at this venue last October, beating Minella Indo; ran well for a long way before weakening in the Cross Country Handicap at Cheltenham; never threatened in the Topham.

7/1

Non-runners

Grey Dawning

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.20
Straight Forecast £11.23
Trifecta £99.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Bravemansgame

SPOTLIGHT:

Hang In There

POSTDATA:

Conflated

TOPSPEED:

Bravemansgame

WEST COUNTRY:

Bravemansgame

The Times:

Bravemansgame

The Guardian:

Bravemansgame

Daily Mail:

Bravemansgame

Daily Mirror:

Bravemansgame

The Sun:

Bravemansgame

Daily Record:

Bravemansgame

Telegraph:

Hang In There

The Star:

Hang In There

D Express:

Conflated