November 04 / 15.45 Ascot

15.45

Soft

Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 1
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £23.10
  • Place: £5.60

Form: 12574-

Last run: 223 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner (2m1f/2m6f) in the mud in France in spring 2022 and placed in a Grade 3 that June; returned to hurdling for British debut this March and was well held, but early days for this 5yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Victtorino

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Poor Cheltenham record was extended at the Festival last time; 3m at right-handed Ascot, on the other hand, produced four wins (two on good ground) from five attempts and his strong finish in Newbury's big 3m2f handicap in November catches the eye with regard to today's new trip; his stable has had a long dry spell recently (it ended on Thursday) but he's a strong candidate otherwise.

16/1

7th

6

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Victtorino

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Poor Cheltenham record was extended at the Festival last time; 3m at right-handed Ascot, on the other hand, produced four wins (two on good ground) from five attempts and his strong finish in Newbury's big 3m2f handicap in November catches the eye with regard to today's new trip; his stable has had a long dry spell recently (it ended on Thursday) but he's a strong candidate otherwise.

16/1

6

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Victtorino

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Struggled last term on both previous Cheltenham runs (including in this), which is a worry; this winter's two wins came at favourite course Ascot (3m, good to soft/good) but he also ran well at Newbury in November and this progressive 7yo is climbing the weights only slowly; dangerous to rule out.

25/1

OUR TIP

10/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: P/501- CD

Last run: 216 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Easily best of his three runs last term was his win in a veterans handicap over C&D in April on final outing; back up 4lb but goes well in the mud and looks an each-way player.
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

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 45754- D

Last run: 189 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Last ran on heavy in 2020 when he seemed to act on it; took on the top 3m chasers last season and came up short, with some creditable runs initially, though, and he has a good record first time out; well treated judged on peak efforts and connections also turn to a talented 7lb claimer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Eldorado Allen

10st 12lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago.

66/1

4th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Eldorado Allen

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims.

9/2

4th

4

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Eldorado Allen

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company.

50/1

14/1

Form: 3513P- D

Last run: 199 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
3-11 chasing and seems best on soft/heavy ground; seen more often over shorter trips in the last two years, though, needs to be back at his peak and Larry may carry greater hopes for yard which has a fine record in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Zhiguli

11st 12lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Mrs C A Coward

One-timer useful hurdler/chaser for Gary Moore; not quite the force of old, but won two small-field points on good ground last year; creditable third in a point last time; each-way chance.

11/4

4th

2

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:37 Haydock

Zhiguli

11st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary Moore

Soundly beaten in a match at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) last time but he bumped into a rejuvenated rival, who has followed up, and he's now dropped below his last winning mark; the testing conditions are right up his street and he's one to consider in first-time cheekpieces.

11/4

Form: 1249F- BF

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won a Listed Intermediate at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) last October on first run over fences; things didn't go to plan afterwards, including with his jumping, but he stays 3m, goes well on soft (sole run on heavy was as a novice hurdler) and there's still plenty of time for him to fulfill his promise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Beauport

10st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Took well to these fences in last year's renewal but subsided rapidly after three out, which might have been surprising for one who'd won a 4m2f Midlands National (March 2024) but he seemed to race a bit too zestfully in the front rank; 3lb lower today, having run respectably on reappearance but moderately in two hurdle races since (wind surgery before latest); now tongue tied first time; a bit to prove.

100/1

4th

3

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

14:05 Haydock

Beauport

11st 2lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who was pulled up in Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December and conditional Toby McCain-Mitchell is unable to claim today; however, he's had wind surgery since his latest outing, which might help, and he was second in this 12 months ago having finished third in the Long Walk the time before; it will be no surprise to see a bold bid from this prominent-racer.

10/1

12th

12

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Beauport

11st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jumped and hung badly right in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, heavy) last March but nevertheless battled back to win, the clear highlight among seven chases going this way round; scoring by 31l at Ascot (3m5f, good; 12lb higher today) was a good way to start this season and he's run with credit over hurdles since; going left-handed is a concern but there are lots of positives otherwise.

22/1

Form: 41113- D BF

Last run: 235 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Unraced on heavy but goes well on soft; travelled and stayed on well at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, soft) when last seen, failing in his bid to complete a four-timer but that was against Corach Rambler and Fastorslow who respectively won the Grand National and Punchestown Gold Cup next time out; highly progressive and latest 7lb rise could still underestimate him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Monbeg Genius

11st 10lb

J: Mr J L Scallan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Third in the Ultima here (3m1f, soft) in March 2023; this 10yo has run respectably in the Welsh National (3m6f, good to soft) and Haydock Grand National Trial (3m4f, good to soft) on his last two starts and is now below his last winning mark; not discounted with blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

33/1

7th

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Monbeg Genius

11st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

10yo who won at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) last February and returned to form when fifth of 17 in the Welsh National at Chepstow (3m6f, good to soft) in December, when 7l and two places behind Deafening Silence; now back down to last winning mark and might not be far away.

11/1

6th

7

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Monbeg Genius

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Dictated the pace for a Uttoxeter win (3m, soft; 3lb higher today) in February with second-time cheekpieces (kept since) in a less demanding race than he's often appeared in; 13l fourth in the Welsh National (near 3m7f, soft) was respectable but he did not spark in the big one at Aintree three weeks ago and good ground would give him more to prove.

33/1

Form: 30926- D

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
3-16 over fences, best form at Kempton where he was a dual winner in February 2022 (no wins since) and went down by a neck in valuable 3m handicap this February; last two campaigns suggest he has a bit more to prove on worse than good to soft; cheekpieces last two starts and today; had a wind operation (his third) since latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

Form: 16723- CD BF

Last run: 216 days

W: 10st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Acted on heavy in 2018, unraced on it since; his two wins (from seven attempts) over the Ascot fences came in this race two years ago and over C&D last November, both off 3lb lower than today; ended last term with two creditable places and has each-way claims again, for trainer (also runs Zhiguli) who has a fine record in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Larry

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

12/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

18:30 Kempton

Larry

11st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out

12/1

7

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Larry

10st 11lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary Moore

Twice well beaten over C&D this winter, including last time, but in between he won at Plumpton and he's a two-time C&D winner who was third in this race last year; has won on a variety of ground; not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 1P5-F7 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; sole win from 11 chases came in a three-runner contest this February; sparked only once from four starts since and does not look the percentage call, despite what should be a good mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

7

15th May 2024

Good

3m 3f 208y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

Coeur Serein

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form and he struggled again on his return at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month; mark continues to fall but he's now 1-15 over fences and needs to get back on track.

20/1

10th

1

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Coeur Serein

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ended last year in poor form on soft/heavy ground but the drier conditions ought to suit him better here and he won't fail through lack of stamina; can be very dangerous off current mark if refreshed by 130-day break.

33/1

Form: /2211- D

Last run: 238 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Very solid record (form figures 2211) switched to fences last season, with the wins gained at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) and Sandown (3m, soft); another 4lb higher today but he has more to offer and should be capable of scoring off that mark before long, perhaps today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

4th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Mucho Mas

10st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Very solid record (form figures 2211) switched to fences last season, with the wins gained at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) and Sandown (3m, soft); another 4lb higher today but he has more to offer and should be capable of scoring off that mark before long, perhaps today.

13/2

15

29th Apr 2023

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

14:15 Sandown

Mucho Mas

10st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Very solid record (form figures 2211) since switched to fences, the wins gained at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) and this track (3m, soft; gamely); now 5lb out of weights in a better race and returns to forecast faster ground but his progressive profile is a selling point.

12/1

1

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:40 Haydock

Mucho Mas

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Two seconds and as many firsts since sent over fences and was ultra-game in fending off Feivel at Sandown (3m, soft), for which a 4lb rise is very fair; 12st asks a question of him but plenty to like otherwise.

5/1

Form: 152P-5 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; 2m4f win at Cheltenham last November when switched to fences; second to Coeur Serein, the only other finisher in a three-horse race, at Newbury in February was easily the best of his four starts since and he broke a blood vessel that day; remote when favourite on reappearance four weeks ago, so others look far more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

Form: 2210-2 D

Last run: 187 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Made debut under rules (after just one run in a point) last October; runner-up once on heavy over hurdles and his good second of 12 in handicap chase at Down Royal (3m2f, yielding) in May when last seen is form which will surely be bettered this season; 4lb out of the handicap but one to note for Irish trainer who had three wins and two seconds from his five runners at Cheltenham last week.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Yeah Man

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

No ground worries; best winning day in the 2024 Grand National Trial at Haydock and he's been placed in last two editions of the Troytown in November; those were over fences but he has a much lower hurdles mark and was a close second to Duke Silver in the Leopardstown qualifier; good chance he'll be outspeeded in this but dangerous if he turns for home in contention.

20/1

12

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Yeah Man

11st 3lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won the 2024 Grand National Trial at Haydock; fine effort in third behind Stuzzikini in the 2024 Troytown and went one place better behind Answer To Kayf in this season's edition; 143-rated chaser could finish only second from a mark of 118 in a handicap hurdle at Christmas; however, the run kept him ticking over, and he could be a big player.

10/1

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

Yeah Man

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

The 2024 Grand National Trial winner at Haydock; fine effort in third behind Stuzzikini in the Troytown at Navan last November; lost form later in the campaign; plenty to find with Weveallebeencaught on Kim Muir running.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £219.80
Straight Forecast £169.17
Tricast £1088.53
Trifecta £1673.00

Selections

The Times:

Beauport

SPOTLIGHT:

Monbeg Genius

RP RATINGS:

Eldorado Allen

D Express:

Yeah Man

Daily Record:

Mucho Mas

POSTDATA:

Flegmatik

Daily Mail:

Larry

Telegraph:

Monbeg Genius

The Guardian:

Monbeg Genius

Daily Mirror:

Beauport

The Sun:

Beauport

The Star:

Beauport

TOPSPEED:

Eldorado Allen

WEST COUNTRY:

Eldorado Allen