October 28 / 13.15 Cheltenham

13.15

Good To Soft

Epic Value At William Hill Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £31218
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Epic Value At William Hill Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.00
  • Place: £2.40

Form: /091-2 D

Last run: 145 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Won the always-competitive Red Rum Handicap at Aintree (2m, good to soft; 7lb lower) and would have given the winning machine Easy Game a bit more to think about in a conditions chase at Listowel (2m3f) but for a late mistake; that Aintree form is very solid and he enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

2

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Dancing On My Own

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some notable handicaps at 2m, including over C&D in October 2023; creditable third when attempting to repeat that success and has had a break since; might be vulnerable to younger legs.

18/1

2

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Dancing On My Own

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some big handicaps at 2m, notably at Aintree and Cheltenham in 2023; respectable third when attempting to repeat latter success in October and has had a break since; probably not quite the force of old and now steps up in trip.

14/1

2

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Dancing On My Own

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some big handicaps at 2m, notably at Aintree and Cheltenham in 2023; respectable third when attempting to repeat latter success in October and has had a break since; probably not quite the force of old and now steps up in trip.

14/1

9/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 22U11-

Last run: 187 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Beaten in his first six chases but came good in his final two last season and the horse he beat comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good to soft) has gone on to better things; 10lb higher here but could be sufficiently progressive to deal with that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Still on a good mark despite winning twice this season (2m/2m4f; soft/good) and was 11-2 for the veterans' final over C&D earlier this month, only to depart early; has a lot in his favour so merits each-way consideration.

16/1

12

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Triple Trade

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins this season (2m/2m4f, soft/good) and 10l third behind an 8yo and a 7yo at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January; 20l fourth in another competitive handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in February but that form is working out well and he's back against fellow veterans today; chance.

11/1

4th

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has a solid record (1313) over 2m/2m4f this season but gained the wins in Class 3 and finished 10l behind a couple of younger rivals, albeit not disgraced, in Class 1 at Cheltenham most recently; the 10yo looks under some pressure kept to this level.

12/1

11/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: /1P32- D

Last run: 199 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Impressed on British/chasing debut at Hereford (2m, soft) and returned to something like that form when second in a small field at Southwell (good to soft), where conceding weight to an improver proved beyond him; drying ground might not be ideal but he's a 5yo with more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 150y

16:42 Listowel

In Excelsis Deo

11st 11lb

J: Mr S J Kenny

T: E Bolger

Won a Grade 2 handicap over 2m4f a couple of years ago for Harry Fry before losing form; some good efforts in point-to-points, including recent win under this jockey; previously, was only around 7l off stablemate Solitary Man over 2m4f at Cork (disqualified, rider weighed in marginally light).

12/1

7th

12

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

In Excelsis Deo

12st 0lb

J: Emma Fitzgerald

T: E Bolger

Rated in 140s at peak over fences, best form over much further, others preferred.

14/1

11th

5

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 0y

16:10 Cork

In Excelsis Deo

12st 0lb

J: Mr S J Kenny

T: E Bolger

Solid overall form in points, highlighted by a defeat of Its On The Line at Cragmore in January; unseated rider in Belclare contest won by Asian Master; stablemate Solitary Man has superior claims.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: /1112- D

Last run: 226 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Has not looked back since joining this progressive yard, winning three Class 3 handicaps (1m7f-2m4f; from soft to good) before excelling himself when second at 40-1 in the 2m4f Grade 1 here in March (soft); raised 10lb but there was no obvious reason to believe that improved effort flattered him; his jumping should be an asset over this sharper test; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

13th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

14:07 Kempton

Notlongtillmay

11st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: L J Morgan

Very solid record (form figures 111242) since joining Laura Morgan and switched to fences; good second in major 2m4f handicap at Cheltenham most recently and filled same position in Grade 1 novice there last March; versatile ground-wise; has progressive RPRs and should go well again.

5/1

5

18th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

14:20 Cheltenham

Notlongtillmay

11st 4lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Very progressive last season, winning three novice handicaps then good second to Stage Star in 2m4f Festival Grade 1; posted another sound Cheltenham effort (2m, good) on reappearance, which tees him up nicely for this prize; clear possibilities with the return to 2m4f a likely plus.

7/1

4th

1

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

13:15 Cheltenham

Notlongtillmay

12st 0lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Has not looked back since joining this progressive yard, winning three Class 3 handicaps (1m7f-2m4f; from soft to good) before excelling himself when second at 40-1 in the 2m4f Grade 1 here in March (soft); raised 10lb but there was no obvious reason to believe that improved effort flattered him; his jumping should be an asset over this sharper test; respected.

9/1

Form: 432-11 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
It was back over hurdles (2m novice) when snapping a frustrating run of places in May but returned to fences at Fontwell three weeks ago (2m2f, good; 5lb lower) and won for a second time in this discipline by an 11l margin; only four ran and this is way tougher over a trip perhaps short of his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Guy

12st 6lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Mrs Mary Cookson

Used to like it here, not out of the first three in five starts including over fences and when winning a novice hurdle in 2023; first start for this yard when far from disgraced in Taunton hunter chase (about 2m5f, good) in January but his 20l defeat at Cocklebarrow (3m) later that month was disappointing; still not ruled out.

8/1

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Guy

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Better known as a chaser and he hasn't been able to exploit his lower hurdle mark in two starts this year, tailed off last time at Doncaster (2m5f, good); has never run over this far either so has plenty to prove.

20/1

5th

1

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Guy

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

always behind

20/1

Form: -132F2 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Was getting his act together over fences before falling at Listowel and it was off his lower hurdle mark when runner-up last time; only narrowly failed to exploit it and could have a say should his jumping stand the test (fallen twice as a chaser).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

26th Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 6f 111y

14:35 Galway

The Dasher Conway

10st 2lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Ran well over hurdles in July but well behind last time at Navan, that after a pull-up over fences; only 4-41 overall and opposable in a race of this nature.

25/1

5

20th Sep 2025

Yielding

1m 7f 165y

14:00 Navan

The Dasher Conway

11st 5lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Two disappointing runs over fences since placed in a handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan in July; probably vulnerable to younger and less exposed rivals.

16/1

2

17th Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

16:30 Tramore

The Dasher Conway

11st 10lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Mrs Gillian Callaghan

Not at his best since second to the high-class Saint Roi at Galway last season; was promoted to 133 as a result of that display; now 15lb lower, showed signs of a return to form when third over hurdles at Kilbeggan last month; slightly disappointing at Galway this year but is dropped in grade now and is a course winner.

9/2

Form: 4817-7 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
All three chase wins have come at a lower level in small fields (at about 2m); only 1lb above his last winning mark and, although off colour the last twice, 2m5f probably stretched him on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Prince Escalus

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since below-par effort in the 2024 Summer Plate and hasn't won for over two years; however, he's well treated on best form and market support should be noted.

10/1

Form: 55P42-

Last run: 191 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Seven-time winner in France, twice over fences; first two runs for this yard were modest but ran well in a 2m1f handicap at Ascot before finishing second to the admirable Pink Legend in a mares' handicap here in April; couldn't dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear

33/1

Form: 4P6-54 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Rated a good bit higher when at his peak but lost his way for Sam Thomas and was sold on for £32,000; however, didn't shape too badly at all on his debut for this yard in a 2m handicap hurdle at Chepstow and market weakness suggested that run was needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

prominent, chased clear leader after 4th

10/1

3rd

3

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Before Midnight

11st 12lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: S Loxton

Will be suited by today's good ground and was a very useful handicap chaser in his prime but was out of form for Fergal O'Brien when last seen last summer and it's hard to gauge how much ability he retains as a 12yo.

10/1

5th

3

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 3

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Before Midnight

11st 8lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Ran well in defeat in Ludlow hunter chase (2m4f, soft) in April but was well beaten when back in a handicap two months ago and is patently not the force of old; pulled up at 2023 Cheltenham Festival on only previous start in cheekpieces.

8/1

Form: /U211- D

Last run: 287 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
By the same sire as the stable's star 2m chaser Editeur Du Gite; looked seriously progressive when making all in 2m handicaps at Doncaster (good) and Warwick (heavy), with his jumping particularly impressive the last time; whacked up 10lb for that latest success but looks to have Graded-race potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Haddex Des Obeaux

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Formerly a progressive sort and has Grade 1 form over C&D; however, two runs since returning from long layoff suggest he's not the force of old and unlikely to defy top weight in this warm handicap.

14/1

4

27th Dec 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Haddex Des Obeaux

11st 10lb

T: Nicky Henderson

3rd

3

9th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Haddex Des Obeaux

11st 10lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Gary Moore

Progressive novice chaser last season, winning twice (good/heavy); still held a fighting chance when final-fence faller in Cheltenham handicap on reappearance and could well rate higher still; faces a stiffer assignment upped in class but brings an attractive profile.

14/1

Form: 11F-82 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Nine starts in France, winning a hurdle and two chases; nearly made that three at Auteuil 20 days ago (2m1f, very soft; first-time blinkers) but this is a different test altogether off what might be a harsh mark (also 3lb out of the weights); effective in the reapplied cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Madara

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

3-1 favourite when easily winning the 23-runner Plate at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last month in reapplied cheekpieces (retained); hit with a 10lb rise but that may not stop this 7yo, who could still have more to offer.

4/1

1st

9

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Madara

11st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Four chase wins for other yards, most recently in February 2024; 0-4 for this trainer but he achieved a lifetime best when close up on the New course (about 2m4f, good to soft) in December 2024, off this mark to an improver; has a strong record in other races here and looks to retain all his ability since back from an absence; regular cheekpieces refitted; rock-solid contender.

4/1

2nd

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Madara

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful on his day, particularly in cheekpieces which were missing when he seemed to need the outing over Christmas on return from 12-month layoff; with the headgear again left off, the market may offer extra guidance.

11/4

Non-runners

Red Rookie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £155.70
Straight Forecast £138.69
Tricast £850.65
Trifecta £1524.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Haddex Des Obeaux

POSTDATA:

Guy

TOPSPEED:

In Excelsis Deo

Telegraph:

Notlongtillmay

RP RATINGS:

Before Midnight

D Express:

Red Rookie

WEST COUNTRY:

In Excelsis Deo

Daily Record:

Notlongtillmay

The Times:

Haddex Des Obeaux

The Guardian:

Haddex Des Obeaux

Daily Mail:

Haddex Des Obeaux

Daily Mirror:

Guy

The Star:

Guy

The Sun:

Before Midnight