January 22 / 14.00 Lingfield

14.00

Heavy

Fleur De Lys Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £85849.5
  • 2m 6f 10y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
SKY
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Fleur De Lys Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 341-U2

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; unraced beyond an extended 2m4f but rallied very well to take second of 16 in major handicap at Cheltenham (soft) three weeks ago, registering his best form; needs respect despite seemingly not having a great chance at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Stolen Silver

12st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Well beaten all five starts last season, the last three times in valuable chases for new stable since February; plummeting down the weights and will appreciate this ease in grade but needs a revival.

33/1

10

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Stolen Silver

11st 2lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Georgina Nicholls

Seemingly nothing like the force of old; not proven beyond 3m either, with heavy defeats on his only two attempts at 3m1f or 3m2f; the former was on latest start when beaten 46l at 150-1 in the Ultima at Cheltenham and all this season's form suggests he will be a big outsider again.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: P31P-4

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
A star of so many seasons, well below his peak last term but he was a close, battling third to Two For Gold in this race on heavy; pulled up at Haydock the time before, in a top race he'd won three times previously, but he performed better in same race this time around (two months ago); bold show would be in character and not a surprise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Bristol De Mai

12st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Three-time winner of the Betfair Chase here (3m, good/heavy); this 12yo isn't the force of old, as evidenced by his fourth place in that Grade 1 last time out, but he's dropped down the weights; awarded this race last year (winner demoted due to banned substance in sample) and he's respected.

11/2

Form: 2P1-35 C

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; ended last term on a big high and ran very well again when third in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on reappearance this season (both 3m on good to soft); he did not perform nearly so well in another Grade 2 on latest start, however; player if cheekpieces bring him back to his 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: 13F-10

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; comfortably won at Aintree (upped to 2m4f, good to soft) in December on reappearance, showing improved form; good record in handicap chases was dented when never dangerous at Cheltenham three weeks ago, 20l behind Stolen River, and this new trip needs to see him resume improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

18:10 Chepstow

Brave Seasca

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won a 2m4f Aintree handicap (good to soft) in late 2022 off 6lb higher but has offered very little in his six subsequent appearances, the latest 25 days ago on his return from a break.

12/1

5th

1

26th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 3

18:10 Chepstow

Brave Seasca

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won a 2m4f Aintree handicap (good to soft) in late 2022 off 6lb higher but has offered very little in his six subsequent appearances, the latest 25 days ago on his return from a break.

12/1

5th

2

1st Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

16:18 Chepstow

Brave Seasca

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Quickly lost his way after beginning 2022-23 season with excellent win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) and there has been no revival on his two appearances this term; leap of faith required to support him here.

8/1

Form: 7234/6

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; good chance if judged on best efforts, including his two runs early in 2021; however, he then went absent until four weeks ago when beaten a long way at Wetherby, hampered three out but he'd already dropped out; wore cheekpieces twice (ran creditably once) and now tries blinkers; hard to predict that he will have come on sufficiently since that comeback.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Kalashnikov

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

Talented and popular in his prime, fourth behind Allaho in the 2021 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham; having his first outing since when soundly beaten in handicap at Wetherby on Boxing Day, finishing well behind Fanion D'Estruval; may come on for that run but he certainly needs to; blinkers on.

25/1

6th

5

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

13:35 Wetherby

Kalashnikov

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Amy Murphy

Has run well at up to extended 2m7f and a creditable fourth in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase (2m4f, good to soft) at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2021, which makes this look a competitive mark; however, he's been absent since and will need to be at the top of his game in this hot handicap.

20/1

Form: 112P-5 CD

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Opened last season with two wins, latterly in a tremendous finish to this race which also involved Bristol De Mai; career-best form next time in a Grade 1, made most in the Grand National and not discredited on November reappearance; cheekpieces (worn on last eight starts) are replaced by a visor; repeat bid for this prize has been the aim and he should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Two For Gold

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Teenager who ran well for a long way when very respectable sixth in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good) on seasonal debut in November; pulled up in similar race back there just before Christmas but might be aided by the refitted tongue-tie here and has slipped to a tempting mark.

20/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

Verdict

Having got back up in the last two strides in this race last year, TWO FOR GOLD may emerge on top again. He needs to perform much better than on his reappearance but four of his rivals also underperformed last time out. The exception is Stolen Silver who tries a new trip and, more worryingly, has to give weight all round. The chief threat, therefore, may emerge from that grand old stager Bristol De Mai who finished on the heels on the winner in this 12 months ago. Third on the list is Sam Brown.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Two For Gold

POSTDATA:

Brave Seasca

D Express:

Sam Brown

TOPSPEED:

Bristol De Mai

The Times:

Brave Seasca

Daily Mirror:

Brave Seasca

The Sun:

Brave Seasca

RP Ratings:

Two For Gold

Telegraph:

Two For Gold

The Star:

Two For Gold

Daily Record:

Two For Gold