November 25 / 13.30 Ascot

13.30

Good To Soft

Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39865
  • 2m 5f 8y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
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Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50

Form: 11121- C

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
Seemingly all the better for wind surgery when winning four of his last five races, including a breakthrough at the highest level at Aintree the final time (2m4f, soft; Minella Drama third); however, his sole defeat last season was a comprehensive one when put in his place by a rejuvenated Shishkin on these terms over C&D in February; it's asking a lot to bridge that 16l gap if his conqueror returns in the same form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Pic DOrhy

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

11yo who looked as good as ever when runner-up in a captivating battle with Jonbon in the Ascot Chase (2m5f, good to soft) in February, when bidding to win that Grade 1 for the third consecutive year; won the Grade 1 Melling Chase here (2m4f, soft) in 2023; seemed fine at 3m when 1l second in this season's Charlie Hall (good) and his trainer has won this race six times; no surprise to see a bold bid from this front-runner, who is not ruled out.

14/1

2nd

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Pic DOrhy

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Smart front-runner whose record of 5-9 over fences at Ascot features emphatic wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft; has scored on soft); had excuses (soon taken on for lead, race possibly came too soon after reappearance) over C&D in November when last seen, failing to land the 1965 Chase for a third time; perhaps best caught fresh nowadays and, assuming he's able to dominate, commands respect in another hat-trick attempt.

7/4

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 1

14:57 Wetherby

Pic DOrhy

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Multiple Grade 2 chase winner who has also won three Grade 1s (good-soft), the latest being the 2m5f Ascot Chase in February; this 10yo is unproven beyond that trip and unraced over 3m, but there's every chance he'll stay and he goes well fresh; key player under 6lb penalty if seeing it out.

9/2

Form: 11444-

Last run: 226 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Stable star who won two of his first three races over fences last season before limitations were ruthlessly exposed in Grade 1 novices at Cheltenham (2m) and Aintree (2m4f); on these terms, he's clearly relying on all three of his rivals being off colour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Straw Fan Jack

10st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Capitalised on a reduced mark in three-runner handicap at Ludlow (3m, good) in April and could improve for this month's 25l second of five on reappearance at Ludlow (3m, good to firm), when making mistakes; also effective on soft ground; possible player if jumping better this time.

7/1

1

8th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:35 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

10yo who turned things around when narrowly beating an odds-on rival in a C&D handicap (good; 11-2) in April; been absent since then but he's only 1lb higher than for that win and has claims if he can pick up where he left off.

9/2

1st

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Commendable third off 11lb higher at last year's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft; good ground also suits) but badly out of form this season (four runs) and is the one in this line-up with by far the most to prove.

7/1

Form: 3113-2 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Rock-solid performer who usually gives his running; 6lb better off with Pic D'Orhy than when beaten 7l by that rival at Aintree in April (2m4f, soft) but he was also well behind the Nicholls horse when they previously clashed off level weights (on a right-handed track which reportedly suits best according to his trainer); looks vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Minella Drama

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.

9/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Minella Drama

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent nowadays but ran well in second when facing an impossible mission behind Protektorat at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) last time; now 5lb lower than when third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and this C&D winner is capable of being involved.

11/1

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Minella Drama

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Smart on his day and ran creditably when third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October, a race he'd won in 2024; however, two runs since have been poor and he has to concede weight all round.

11/1

Form: /3121- CD

Last run: 226 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 173

Form & Verdict
Made his name as a top-class two-miler but he didn't half look good when hammering Pic D'Orhy by 16l in a Grade 1 over C&D last season (good to soft; following wind surgery); then finished second in the Ryanair (2m4f) despite not bringing his 'A' game before signing off with a rallying victory over 3m1f at Aintree (without the tongue-tie he had worn in his two previous runs); will be hard to beat if anywhere near his best; cheekpieces are an intriguing addition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

11th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Shishkin

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won this last year (good to soft); refused to race on reappearance (his sole outing in cheekpieces); may well have won the Grade 1 King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December but for stumbling/unseating just after two out; ready Grade 2 win at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) in February; didn't run in last month's Gold Cup due to an unsatisfactory scope and there remains a question mark regarding the form of the stable, but he's a key player if at his best.

5/2

4th

6

11th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Shishkin

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won this last year (good to soft); refused to race on reappearance (his sole outing in cheekpieces); may well have won the Grade 1 King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December but for stumbling/unseating just after two out; ready Grade 2 win at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) in February; didn't run in last month's Gold Cup due to an unsatisfactory scope and there remains a question mark regarding the form of the stable, but he's a key player if at his best.

5/2

1st

2

10th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 1

14:05 Newbury

Shishkin

11st 8lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped left on occasions, raced in second, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 13th, pressed leader after 4 out, led 3 out, soon faced challenge, not fluent last, ridden and kept on well run-in

4/6

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.30
Straight Forecast £28.83
Trifecta £103.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shishkin

WEST COUNTRY:

Pic D'Orhy

RP RATINGS:

Shishkin

TOPSPEED:

Shishkin

POSTDATA:

Shishkin

LAMBOURN:

Shishkin

The Times:

Shishkin

Telegraph:

Shishkin

The Guardian:

Shishkin

Daily Mail:

Shishkin

D Express:

Shishkin

Daily Mirror:

Shishkin

The Sun:

Shishkin

The Star:

Shishkin

Daily Record:

Shishkin