January 28 / 15.15 Doncaster

15.15

Good

Sky Bet Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 7f 214y
  • Class 1
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Sky Bet Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £20.30
  • Place: £4.00

Form: P-2132

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Improved form when winning at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance and placed the next twice (2m4f, good to soft/soft); he can make mistakes and his stamina isn't guaranteed, but this 3m point winner has shown promise over an extended 2m7f under rules and there are stayers in his pedigree; effective on good ground; not ruled out in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

7/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 5-5350 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
This season's form has been patchy and he was tailed off at Cheltenham on New Year's Day; however, he's dropped to a mark 2lb lower than when winning at Kempton last February and has been third in the last two runnings of this race; the return of cheekpieces may be a plus and he's not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Cap Du Nord

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Not quite a year since he won off a 20lb higher mark at Perth (3m, good); insufficient encouragement on last two stasrts, even allowing for the inadequacy of the trip, and hopes rest with the return of the cheekpieces worn for last four wins.

8/1

4th

6

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Cap Du Nord

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Has won plenty during his career but now on the downgrade and has struggled this year; needs further as well.

10/1

4th

6

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Cap Du Nord

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Has won plenty during his career but now on the downgrade and has struggled this year; needs further as well.

10/1

25/1

  • Place: £7.10

Form: 244-16

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Won on reappearance at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) and didn't run badly when sixth at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) latest; however, he's never won off a mark this high and is untested beyond 2m5f; others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who lacked fluency when back over fences and was soundly beaten at Haydock in December; however, prior to that he made a fairly encouraging return from an absence over hurdles at Ayr and he's a six-time winner at Kelso; could have a part to play now back here.

13/2

5th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Likeable veteran whose ten wins include six at Kelso and three here; made a successful reappearance in 3m2f chase at Kelso (from Famous Bridge) last autumn; doesn't run often over hurdles these days but he has a lower mark and cannot be ruled out completely.

15/2

5th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Likeable veteran whose ten wins include six at Kelso and three here; made a successful reappearance in 3m2f chase at Kelso (from Famous Bridge) last autumn; doesn't run often over hurdles these days but he has a lower mark and cannot be ruled out completely.

15/2

Form: PP-P4P CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Returned to form to win this last year (good; now 2lb lower) and he was an encouraging fourth in the Rehearsal at Newcastle two starts ago; not ruled out but, having struggled last time, he's now been pulled up on five of his last seven starts and this 11yo is not a solid proposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

29th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:50 Cartmel

Windsor Avenue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Teal

T: Jack Teal

Smart chaser for Brian Ellison and second in two hunter chases for new yard in recent months; no match for Gaboriot at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in March, though, and has been very inconsistent in recent years.

6/1

2nd

4

8th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:25 Kelso

Windsor Avenue

12st 6lb

J: Mr Jack Teal

T: Jack Teal

Smart chaser at his best and he still retains quite a bit of ability; has mixed record this year and was pulled up in Foxhunters' at Aintree last time but he's been in much calmer waters now and was runner-up at Catterick (3m1f, soft) on his penultimate run; dangerous if in the mood.

7/2

2nd

4

8th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

17:25 Kelso

Windsor Avenue

12st 6lb

J: Mr Jack Teal

T: Jack Teal

Smart chaser at his best and he still retains quite a bit of ability; has mixed record this year and was pulled up in Foxhunters' at Aintree last time but he's been in much calmer waters now and was runner-up at Catterick (3m1f, soft) on his penultimate run; dangerous if in the mood.

7/2

Form: U0-127 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last May and 12l second to rejuvenated winner at Newbury (2m6f, good) in November; merely mid-division at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day but didn't run badly and perhaps this step back up in trip will be a plus (has won over 3m); not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

10th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 115y

Class 3

14:00 Doncaster

Demachine

12st 0lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

pressed leader

7/2

7th

18

14th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Demachine

10st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kerry Lee

Versatile trip-wise from 2m4f to 3m and seems fine on all ground; while recent defeats point to limitations in a race of this nature, the handicapper has offered an olive branch as he's now only 1lb higher than for last May's Uttoxeter win.

25/1

Form: 311-32 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Won three times last January-April and he's run pretty well to be placed on both starts this season (2m6f/3m2f, good/soft); hasn't threatened the winner the last twice but he's an each-way possible nevertheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Java Point

12st 0lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Lemos De Souza

Useful, four-time handicap chase winner who scored at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in January on his first hunter chase start; runner-up on next two outings (3m/2m7f, soft/good to soft); this 11yo needs a bigger run today.

33/1

2nd

2

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Lemos De Souza

Has always been useful; ran in a handicap on debut for this yard and then beat Fil d'Ariane at Ludlow (3m, good to soft); perhaps found soft ground against him when no match for Jeffery's Cross last time and better can be expected.

6/1

2nd

3

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Java Point

12st 6lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Lemos De Souza

Successful at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last time on hunter chase debut and second start for new stable, showing he retains plenty of vitality aged 11; this is a weaker race; respected.

11/10

Form: UPP-22 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery after last season and was a close second on both starts last month (3m/3m2f, soft); back up in grade today but he won here earlier in his career, and on good ground, and he might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

14th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Shanty Alley

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

in touch with leaders

12/1

6

14th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Shanty Alley

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

in touch with leaders

12/1

3rd

2

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Uttoxeter

Shanty Alley

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Without a win since January 2021 and he hasn't really been threatening this winter, especially so at Doncaster most recently when the first beaten (3m, soft); wouldn't be the percentage call.

9/1

Form: 132/31

Last run: 77 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 novice chase winner (2m4f, good) in November and, having returned from a very long absence this season, he won the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2m4f, good) in November on his second start back; he stayed on strongly up the Cheltenham hill and could improve further now up in trip; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Ga Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers.

7/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Ga Law

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers.

7/1

3rd

5

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Ga Law

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Best known for his exploits in the big 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham; however, even on his best form he has something to find in this field and he's been pulled up the last twice; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

40/1

Form: 2220-2

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Mister Coffey

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

A classy chaser who has famously gone 0-19 in this discipline, running numerous good races in smart company and finishing runner-up nine times; did run well for a long way in a veterans' chase at Cheltenham last month (3m2f, good to soft) and this might just be the day it happens for him.

11/10

5th

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Mister Coffey

11st 4lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Let down by his jumping when returned to the cross-country course at Cheltenham last time; has lots of useful form otherwise and ties in with Eldorado Allen on reappearance running; well capable of being involved but is famously frustrating and still a maiden over fences (0-18).

13/2

Form: R3P-56 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
11yo who isn't the same force as he was when winning the big Newbury handicap chase (3m2f, good) in November 2020 but he ran a gallant race from the front when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, good to soft) last month; another 2lb lower here and he's one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

4th Mar 2023

Good

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:40 Newbury

Cloth Cap

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

At his peak when winning the big November handicap (off 1lb higher) over C&D in 2020 and following up in the Premier Chase at Kelso; flopped when favourite for that season's Grand National and has lacked consistency since; however, this looks his easiest task for some time and he's very tempting from a handicapping perspective (peak mark was 156).

4/1

6

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Cloth Cap

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Jonjo O’Neill

disputed lead, mistake 2nd, chased leader 3rd, lost position 12th, slow jump 13th, dropped to rear 14th, soon pulled up

8/1

6th

9

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

3m 1f 188y

Class 1

14:05 Aintree

Cloth Cap

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won the big Newbury handicap in November 2020 and sent off favourite for the Grand National in April 2021; however, he was pulled up and his subsequent form has been patchy; others are preferred, despite his reduced mark.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2-1111 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Made it 4-4 over fences (2m6f-3m2f, good/soft) and under Lilly Pinchin when scoring at Newbury on New Year's Eve; 7lb higher today in a tougher race but he won in convincing fashion last time and could still be ahead of the handicapper; firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

16:08 Newbury

Tea For Free

11st 12lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Strong stayer who was 4-4 over fences before falling in a valauble handicap chase at Doncaster 14 months ago when running well; on a potentially good mark for this return to hurdling but fully entitled to need this after his period on the sidelines and returning to fences is presumably on the agenda.

25/1

7

28th Jan 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Tea For Free

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made it 4-4 over fences (2m6f-3m2f, good/soft) and under Lilly Pinchin when scoring at Newbury on New Year's Eve; 7lb higher today in a tougher race but he won in convincing fashion last time and could still be ahead of the handicapper; firmly in calculations.

9/2

1st

6

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

15:35 Newbury

Tea For Free

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Transformed by the switch to chasing, winning on all three attempts; they were on good ground under Lilly Pinchin, in good style over about 3m on first two occasions and having to work harder to assert over 3m2f at Uttoxeter on latest; raised another 6lb, which demands better still but it's the probably much more testing ground which poses the big question.

6/1

Form: 41P-3P C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
He can make mistakes and has been pulled up on two of his last three starts, having disappointed at Newbury on New Year's Eve; however, he won here (3m2f, soft) last March and was a good third at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) on his reappearance, and he has the ability to figure if on going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Undersupervision

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very well handicapped on old form but has been pulled up on six of his eight starts over the last two years, most recently in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (a race he won in 2022); sports first-time tongue-tie and swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces here; revival needed.

33/1

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Undersupervision

12st 0lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Very well handicapped on old form but has been pulled up on six of his eight starts over the last two years, most recently in last month's Grimthorpe at Doncaster (a race he won in 2022); sports first-time tongue-tie and swaps visor for refitted cheekpieces here; revival needed.

33/1

10

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Undersupervision

10st 9lb

J: James Turner

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Failed to complete far too often for comfort and soundly beaten when he did get round in a first-time visor (replacing usual cheekpieces) at Ludlow in December when last seen; the big positives are that he won this race in 2022 and was beaten a neck in it in 2023, but last year's performance in the Grimthorpe was poor; down to his lowest mark as a chaser.

16/1

Non-runners

Mister Coffey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £136.00
Straight Forecast £146.73
Tricast £3746.64
Trifecta £4551.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tea For Free

LAMBOURN:

Ga Law

D Express:

Demachine

WEST COUNTRY:

Java Point

TOPSPEED:

Mister Coffey

Daily Mail:

Shanty Alley

RP Ratings:

Cap Du Nord

POSTDATA:

Tea For Free

The Guardian:

Tea For Free

Daily Mirror:

Tea For Free

The Star:

Tea For Free

The Times:

Ga Law

Telegraph:

Ga Law

The Sun:

Ga Law

Daily Record:

Ga Law