February 18 / 14.40 Haydock

14.40

Good To Soft

Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 4f 97y
  • Class 1
  • 15 runners
ITV
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Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.00
  • Place: £5.70

Form: 5/1-1P D BF

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Won at Ludlow (3m1f, soft) last January and returned from some more time off with another easy win in the London National at Sandown (3m5f, good) in December; pulled up in the Welsh National later that month (favourite; lost her right-fore shoe) but not written off in view of her previous promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Quick Wave

11st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

in rear

7/1

1st

2

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Quick Wave

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Venetia Williams

Won at Ludlow (3m1f, soft) last January and returned from some more time off with another easy win in the London National at Sandown (3m5f, good) in December; pulled up in the Welsh National later that month (favourite; lost her right-fore shoe) but not written off in view of her previous promise.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: P-P876 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick last season (3m/3m2f, soft; including the Becher Chase) and she's well handicapped on that form; hasn't run badly on her last few starts but needs something extra in the first-time cheekpieces if she's to win this, and her best form has come on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

16

15th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

16:10 Cheltenham

Snow Leopardess

11st 0lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Charlie Longsdon

Faded into sixth in C&D handicap (good to soft) in January but ran well for a long way and built on that when runner-up in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in Haydock's 3m4f Grand National Trial last month; open to improvement on her second run over these obstacles and this 2021 Becher Chase winner (soft) is very much an each-way player with her 7lb mares' allowance.

16/1

2nd

7

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Snow Leopardess

10st 11lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Completed a hat-trick last season (3m/3m2f, soft; including the Becher Chase) and she's well handicapped on that form; hasn't run badly on her last few starts but needs something extra in the first-time cheekpieces if she's to win this, and her best form has come on soft ground.

12/1

6th

5

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 37y

Class 2

12:40 Cheltenham

Snow Leopardess

10st 8lb

J: Aidan Coleman

T: Charlie Longsdon

Last season went so well that she was sent off one of the favourites for the Grand National only to run no race; below par so far this campaign and comes here with a bit to prove on her cross-country debut.

11/1

16/1

  • Place: £8.40

Form: P/1P9- C

Last run: 385 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile and was disappointing on final two runs last season, the latest last January; however, he's run big races the last two times he's returned from an absence, notably winning the prestigious Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) in November 2021, and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:30 Carlisle

Cloudy Glen

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led at steady pace, faced challenges from 13th, not fluent 14th, headed and lost second 3 out, soon lost third, lost touch from 2 out, tailed off

7/1

8th

3

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Cloudy Glen

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead

10/1

5th

3

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

15:00 Exeter

Cloudy Glen

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Venetia Williams

Has an excellent reappearance record and won at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in December following a break; however, two lesser performances have followed from this 12yo and he needs to raise his game.

14/1

Form: 22-222

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdle winner who has been runner-up on all five starts over fences (2m4f-3m, good-soft); he needs to prove he can still get the job done and is up in grade here, but there can be optimism he can give another good account and this trip may be within range; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

First Lord De Cuet

12st 0lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: David Pipe

Useful handicapper in his prime and versatile regarding ground; badly out of form under rules last season but easily won five-runner point on latest outing in March, and it will be interesting to see whether he enjoys a new lease of life in hunter chases.

6/1

12/1

Form: 1U-44P

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Lacklustre in first-time cheekpieces (retained) in the Welsh National, beaten before stamina may have been an issue; however, previous runs such as his staying-on fourth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, good to soft) in December suggests he may be suited by this sort of test; could be a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:55 Market Rasen

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Veteran who was a very useful staying chaser in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; left behind in home straight at Doncaster (3m, good) five weeks ago and needs headgear switch to perk him up here.

10/1

4th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing.

20/1

4th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing.

20/1

Form: 5P-453 C

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Has run just four times over fences and it was his best effort yet when upped in trip for third of 15 at Market Rasen (3m3f, good to soft) on Boxing Day; three runs over hurdles at Haydock yielded two wins and he could play a leading role now back here for the first time over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Small Present

10st 13lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

midfield, pushed along from 6th, towards rear after 7th, lost touch after 9th, pulled up after 3 out

16/1

11/1

Form: 823-43 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won the Classic at Warwick (3m5f, soft) in 2021 and more like it again when third in that same race last month (heavy); can be bang there if repeating that latest form on today's better ground (effective on good to soft going but unproven on good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

28th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Notachance

11st 12lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

never going well, in touch with leaders, cajoled along 5th, pushed along 8th, mistake 3 out, soon eased and pulled up

11/2

5th

8

21st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

15:35 Lingfield

Notachance

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Won the 2021 Warwick Classic over 3m5f and good third in that race last January; well handicapped on that form but this 10yo has been well beaten on both runs this season and needs to bounce back.

14/1

8th

7

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 3

14:25 Newbury

Notachance

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Useful stayer on his day; won the Classic Chase at Warwick (3m5f, soft) in 2021 and placed in that same major handicap last season; could go well off a handy mark with Exeter reappearance under his belt.

14/1

Form: 230-PP

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Ran well when third in last year's Midlands National (4m2f, soft), a race he won in 2021, and he's well handicapped on that form; however, he's been pulled up on both starts this term and a major turnaround is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

9th Apr 2023

Heavy

3m 3f 208y

Class 3

15:25 Ffos Las

Time To Get Up

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won the 2021 Midlands National and third in it in 2022 but he was pulled up three weeks ago in the latest renewal, which was symptomatic of his poor season; way down the weights.

16/1

13

18th Mar 2023

Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Time To Get Up

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

This campaign hasn't taken off at all but he has history in this race, having won it two seasons ago (good to soft) on only his fourth start over fences and he was a highly credible 12l third last year (soft); dangerously well handicapped if he can stage a revival and you wouldn't put it past him.

12/1

8th

9

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Time To Get Up

10st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ran well when third in last year's Midlands National (4m2f, soft), a race he won in 2021, and he's well handicapped on that form; however, he's been pulled up on both starts this term and a major turnaround is needed.

20/1

Form: 6-6415 C BF

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Convincing winner here (3m1f, soft) in November and fair fifth of 18 in the veterans' final at Sandown (3m, soft) last month; however, from out of the handicap he's 7lb higher than for his course win, and there's a suspicion this 11yo will be vulnerable in this hotter race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Saint Xavier

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Long in the tooth now and no longer the force of old; exploited some considerable help from the handicapper when winning at Haydock (3m4f, soft) just after Christmas but was well beaten next time (albeit on heavy ground) and younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

25/1

14

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Saint Xavier

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Long in the tooth now and no longer the force of old; exploited some considerable help from the handicapper when winning at Haydock (3m4f, soft) just after Christmas but was well beaten next time (albeit on heavy ground) and younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 141-14 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Last season ended with a win at Lingfield and she improved for the step up in trip to win here (3m1f, soft) on her reappearance in November, when clear with subsequent Welsh National runner-up The Big Breakaway; stayed on for solid fourth at Kempton (3m, soft) since and today's test of stamina could be right up her street; has won on good to soft, unraced on good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Fontaine Collonges

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, slow jump 1st, towards rear 2nd

33/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Fontaine Collonges

10st 11lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

held up in rear, not fluent 2nd

16/1

2

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Fontaine Collonges

11st 12lb

T: Venetia Williams

Mightily impressive with a wide-margin win at Wetherby (3m, soft) last Christmas and same again at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft; from Monbeg Genius) five weeks ago; her only run in between is a worry, though, as she weakened quickly from seven out in the Classic Chase at Warwick, and that was her second major failure to prove her stamina at about 3m4f/3m5f; throw in an 8lb rise since Haydock and some doubts creep in.

10/1

Form: P31P-4 CD

Last run: 91 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
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.
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: P7-P1P

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won at Newbury (3m2f, soft) on New Year's Eve and there can be optimism he'll stay this far; not discounted but he's never run well away from Newbury over fences and he was pulled up at Warwick last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Grumpy Charley

11st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Chris Honour

Pulled up in three of his four chases last season but he did win over 3m2f here on New Year's Eve (soft) off 1lb higher; was a useful hurdler back in the day and wouldn't put it past him to run well.

33/1

5

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Grumpy Charley

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Won at Newbury (3m2f, soft) on New Year's Eve and there can be optimism he'll stay this far; not discounted but he's never run well away from Newbury over fences and he was pulled up at Warwick last time.

16/1

7

14th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Grumpy Charley

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Chris Honour

Won at Newbury (2m6f, soft) in December 2021 in his second chase and he was back to life when scoring at that same meeting (3m2f, soft) two weeks ago; back up 6lb but it looks like he has reserves of stamina and he won two hurdle races on heavy; interesting.

8/1

Form: 211P-3

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who won two in a row in good style early last year (2m7f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) then was pulled up in Cheltenham Festival handicap; returned with fair third of four at Ayr (3m, heavy) last month and this lightly raced 9yo could still have more to offer; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Omar Maretti

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Easy winner of a four-runner handicap off this mark at Catterick in February (3m1f, heavy); not run quite as well since; usually needs a race after a break.

8/1

4th

4

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Omar Maretti

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Easy winner of a four-runner handicap off this mark at Catterick in February (3m1f, heavy); not run quite as well since; usually needs a race after a break.

8/1

Form: 42-731 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 10st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Third in this race two years ago (soft) and he was a gallant front-running winner of the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) last time out; today's better ground may not be ideal but he's nevertheless produced some good performances on good to soft ground and he's not ruled out up 5lb since Chepstow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

The Two Amigos

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

13yo, 2lb lower today than for his win in the 2022 Welsh National (3m7f, soft); only three runs since, absent 627 days before this season but he showed that plenty of fire remains when front-running second to Saint Xavier at Haydock (3m4f) last time; that returns him to serious calculations.

8/1

4

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

The Two Amigos

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

13yo, 2lb lower today than for his win in the 2022 Welsh National (3m7f, soft); only three runs since, absent 627 days before this season but he showed that plenty of fire remains when front-running second to Saint Xavier at Haydock (3m4f) last time; that returns him to serious calculations.

8/1

2nd

4

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 4f 97y

Class 2

15:10 Haydock

The Two Amigos

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

5lb lower than for 2022 Welsh National win (soft) and he may have needed the run here 26 days ago, when pulled up on his first outing since March 2023; however, this 12yo needs to prove how much ability he retains.

12/1

Form: 11-562 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Started chase career with two wins (soft/good) and the latter was over C&D last March; has worked his way back into form this season, staying on for a close second at Doncaster (3m, good) three weeks ago; 3lb out of the handicap today but this step back up in trip could be a major positive; cheekpieces go on; likeable claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:53 Southwell

Tim Pat

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Useful chaser at his best but has regressed this season; safely held when reverted to hurdling for two starts in January and needs subsequent wind op to have made a difference.

12/1

7th

2

23rd Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:53 Southwell

Tim Pat

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Useful chaser at his best but has regressed this season; safely held when reverted to hurdling for two starts in January and needs subsequent wind op to have made a difference.

12/1

7th

11

28th Jan 2024

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

15:05 Doncaster

Tim Pat

11st 7lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

Beaten a neck over fences here (3m, good) one year ago off 14lb higher, but not so hot since; the return to hurdles last time (3m1f, soft) did not get a sufficient response for him to be greatly fancied at the moment.

14/1

Non-runners

The Two Amigos

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £272.10
Straight Forecast £272.72
Tricast £7794.48
Trifecta £4583.60

Selections

The Times:

Fontaine Collonges

WEST COUNTRY:

First Lord De Cuet

SPOTLIGHT:

Tim Pat

RP Ratings:

Quick Wave

TOPSPEED:

Fortescue

D Express:

Omar Maretti

The Star:

Notachance

POSTDATA:

The Two Amigos

The Guardian:

Tim Pat

Daily Mail:

Fontaine Collonges

Telegraph:

First Lord De Cuet

Daily Record:

First Lord De Cuet

Daily Mirror:

Quick Wave