November 19 / 13.50 Haydock

13.50

Soft

Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 5f 127y
  • Class 2
  • 4 runners
ITV
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Get Daily Rewards With Betfair Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1/2 (Won)

  • Win: £1.62

Form: 2232-2

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 160

Form & Verdict
Has run well in defeat in Grade 1 and 2 chases on last six starts (1m7f-2m4f, good/good to soft), most recently off top weight in the Old Roan Handicap at Aintree, and he has stand-out form claims now back down in grade; every chance he'll stay this far; has shown promise on testing ground in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Hitman

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off.

33/1

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hitman

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that.

8/1

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Hitman

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Paul Nicholls

9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there.

6/1

Form: 111F3- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten third of four in Grade 2 at Sandown in April last time out and has something to find with Hitman here; however, this very lightly raced 7yo impressed early this year on his first two chase starts (2m4f/2m5f, good to soft/soft) and he goes well fresh; can give a good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Erne River

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nick Kent

Still runs well now and again but this 11yo is not as good as he was and become inconsistent.

16/1

4th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Erne River

11st 8lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Ran well for a long way when fourth at Doncaster (3m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in February and remains well handicapped but this steadily regressive 11yo has become inconsistent, and others appeal more.

4/1

4th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Erne River

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Kent

Winless since December 2023 and pulled up over C&D in December on sole run this term; however, he may have needed that outing and is on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; has won here three times, including in these reapplied cheekpieces, and is not ruled out; the tongue-tie is a first.

10/1

Form: 5142-4 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Last season's highlight was his win in a Grade 2 novice chase here (2m4f, soft) and he shaped as though he needed the run on last month's reappearance at Carlisle (2m4f, soft); he has something to find with Hitman but it will be no surprise to see him make a bold bid from the front.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Minella Drama

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.

9/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Minella Drama

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent nowadays but ran well in second when facing an impossible mission behind Protektorat at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) last time; now 5lb lower than when third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and this C&D winner is capable of being involved.

11/1

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Minella Drama

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Smart on his day and ran creditably when third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October, a race he'd won in 2024; however, two runs since have been poor and he has to concede weight all round.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: 224PP-

Last run: 226 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Second to subsequent Grade 1 winner Bravemansgame in this race last year (good to soft) and he's also effective on heavy ground; has had wind op since last run and he's entitled to respect on his best form, but his jumping can hold him back and he was pulled up on his final two starts last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 5

17:10 Newbury

Itchy Feet

11st 12lb

J: Mr James King

T: Olly Murphy

Grade 1 winner over fences in 2020 and still smart in 2023; now has a bit to prove after finishing tailed off in two staying handicap hurdles following a year on the sidelines; not sure what to expect on this hunter chase debut but, with his CV, he's dangerous to dismiss.

3/1

6th

3

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 2

14:30 Huntingdon

Itchy Feet

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 8th, weakening when hit 3 out, tailed off

12/1

6th

3

23rd Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 2

14:30 Huntingdon

Itchy Feet

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 8th, weakening when hit 3 out

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.00
Straight Forecast £5.03
Trifecta £7.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hitman

The Times:

Minella Drama

RP Ratings:

Hitman

TOPSPEED:

Hitman

POSTDATA:

Hitman

WEST COUNTRY:

Hitman

Telegraph:

Hitman

The Guardian:

Hitman

Daily Mail:

Hitman

D Express:

Hitman

Daily Mirror:

Hitman

The Sun:

Hitman

The Star:

Hitman

Daily Record:

Minella Drama