January 21 / 15.00 Lingfield

15.00

Good To Soft

Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £85849.5
  • 2m 6f 10y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
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Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

4/6 (Won)

  • Win: £1.73
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 13/1U- BF

Last run: 391 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 170

Form & Verdict
Absent since sustaining an injury in the King George in December 2022; however, he was running a mighty race in second when unseating at the final fence and his trainer is particularly adept at bringing one back in fine form following a layoff; his record when fresh is also a plus and this two-time Grade 1 winner holds leading claims if close to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

LHomme Presse

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won the Grade 1 Brown Advisory here in March 2022 and also the Cotswold Chase here last January; pushed Spillane's Tower close in that same 3m1f Grade 2 this season, when conceding 6lb to the winner, but no match for Haiti Couleurs since and this 11yo is up against it in today's company.

50/1

2nd

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

LHomme Presse

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Unraced here but a stalwart of the 3m+ chase division elsewhere; runner-up in contrasting styles in two Cheltenham races this season, rallying after losing his place at halfway in a Grade 3 handicap on reappearance, and leading until after the final fence in a four-runner Grade 2 two weeks ago; unraced on heavy but goes well on soft; should ensure that Haiti Couleurs does not have it all his own way.

5/4

2nd

2

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

LHomme Presse

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Landed the odds in this race last year (soft ground) and showed a similar level of form when second under big weight in handicap here on reappearance, rallying after losing his place at halfway; should give his running again but has a bit to find on the figures with Grey Dawning.

9/2

13/8

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 145-43

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
Won the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in November 2022 and, while he's failed to kick on from that, he was a fine third off a very lofty mark in a handicap at Cheltenham (3m2f, soft) last month; versatile ground-wise; conceding 4lb to L'Homme Presse may be a tough ask but that rival is returning from a layoff and this fellow has standout claims otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Protektorat

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender.

15/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Protektorat

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat.

1/8

1st

6

18th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 2

15:00 Windsor

Protektorat

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms.

8/11

OUR TIP

Form: /15-23 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Something to find if Protektorat and L'Homme Presse are at their best, but he won the 3m6f Welsh National in 2021 and the 3m5f Warwick Classic last January, and he seems versatile in terms of trip; gave it a fair shot when well-beaten third in last month's Welsh National and can do the same today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Iwilldoit

11st 3lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Lightly raced since Welsh Grand National success in 2021 but a commendable third in this season's edition of that race (3m6f, soft) in December and again ran very well at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in January; drying ground will reduce his appeal but he has possibilities if he enjoys this new test.

20/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:30 Haydock

Iwilldoit

10st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Won the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) in 2021 and the Warwick Classic (3m5f, heavy) in 2023; now 12 but he was a fine third in the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) three weeks ago and his surplus stamina may be no bad thing today; possible player if this doesn't come too soon after his hard Chepstow race.

9/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2025

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:30 Haydock

Iwilldoit

10st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Won the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) in 2021 and the Warwick Classic (3m5f, heavy) in 2023; now 12 but he was a fine third in the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) three weeks ago and his surplus stamina may be no bad thing today; possible player if this doesn't come too soon after his hard Chepstow race.

9/1

Form: /F13-P D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Needs Protektorat and L'Homme Presse to underperform if he's to win, and he was pulled up on his reappearance at Wetherby on Boxing Day; however, he may have needed the run and showed strong form when winning a handicap off top weight at Cheltenham last season; could give a good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Does He Know

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.

11/2

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Does He Know

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.

11/2

3rd

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:30 Carlisle

Does He Know

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

taken down early, raced in second, pressed leader 13th, led narrowly 3 out, headed when hit last, weakened and lost second run-in

9/4

Form: 124/2U

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
2021 Welsh National runner-up who returned from long absence with good second on stable debut at Kelso in October; early unseat over National fences at Aintree next time; up against it today and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

12th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:50 Cheltenham

Highland Hunter

11st 10lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Stout stayer who was runner-up in the 2021 Welsh National; off for 20 months after next outing but quickly found his form for new yard and he was the freshest horse in the race when galloping on relentlessly at Newbury (3m2f, heavy) ten days ago; however, a penalty takes him back to a career-high mark which will be hard to overcome at this level.

40/1

1st

1

2nd Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Highland Hunter

12st 0lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Former Welsh National runner-up; has run well in both completed handicaps since joining this yard after an absence, last time hanging around in the attritional Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, heavy); that was a hard race only two weeks ago but he's a player if fully recovered from those exertions.

7/2

4th

3

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Highland Hunter

11st 10lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

taken down early

16/1

Form: 20/4P- BF

Last run: 434 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Three-time chase winner whose trainer is having a productive winter; however, this is his first run since November 2022 and he needs to be better than ever if he's to pose a threat in today's company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £2.50
Straight Forecast £2.52
Trifecta £6.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

L'Homme Presse

TOPSPEED:

Does He Know

POSTDATA:

Protektorat

RP RATINGS:

L'Homme Presse

The Times:

L'Homme Presse

Telegraph:

L'Homme Presse

D Express:

L'Homme Presse

Daily Mirror:

L'Homme Presse

The Sun:

L'Homme Presse

The Star:

L'Homme Presse

Daily Record:

L'Homme Presse

WEST COUNTRY:

Does He Know