13.15
Good To SoftPaddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £56270
- 2m 4f 127y
- Class 1
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
9/1 (Won)
- Win: £9.00
- Place: £2.90
Form: F5P-67 C
Last run: 56 days
W: 11st 8lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Best known for his exploits in the big 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham; however, even on his best form he has something to find in this field and he's been pulled up the last twice; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces. |
40/1 |
25/1
- Place: £5.50
Form: 11-335
Last run: 49 days
W: 10st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 6 |
23rd May 2026 Good 3m 0f 30y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Four-time chase winner at up to 3m1f; well handicapped on his Huntingdon win for Henry Daly last March but he's struggled since including in two runs for new yard this spring; ran well to a point at Ludlow last time but he was on the retreat when he fell and others preferred. |
40/1 |
|
5 |
30th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 171y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
Potentially well treated on old form but signed off for Henry Daly with his own ideas about the game and he made a quiet start for this yard at Huntingdon after wind surgery; risky. |
16/1 |
|
5th 1 |
1st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 189y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Comes with some risk, having proved recalcitrant in sole start this term (left Henry Daly and had wind surgery since); otherwise interesting back at Huntingdon, with record of 2-2 over fences here comprising wins in this contest for the last two years. |
8/1 |
7/2
- Place: £2.20
Form: 16P-32 CD
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 148
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
17th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
9yo who hasn't been at his best this season but there have been signs of spark and he failed to stay 3m2f when well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival last time; continues to drop down the weights and could be in the shake-up back down in trip and in grade. |
9/1 |
|
15th 6 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Two-time course winner (2m4f, soft/good) who, having dropped down the weights, returned to form when second here on New Year's Day (2m4f, good; albeit no match for the winner); however, he doesn't appear to be crying out for the step up in trip; faded over 3m in February 2024. |
25/1 |
|
3 |
12th Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Cheltenham regular who looked as good as ever when winning Paddy Power Gold Cup there (2m4f, good) last November; only 1lb higher today but seemed in need of the run when reappearing in this event last season and perhaps this race will again tee him up for Cheltenham next month. |
3/1 |
10/1
Form: 2411-1 D
Last run: 90 days
W: 11st 8lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 136y |
11st 4lb |
Smart performer in Britain back in the day; went point-to-pointing over the winter and held in hunter chases lately; unlikely. |
16/1 |
|
5th 10 |
11th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 7f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; couldn't contain Lifetime Ambition in a point back in November; fair third to Journey With Me at Cork last month but he went from the front and was readily left behind. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
6th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 4f 0y |
12st 0lb |
Very useful hurdler/chaser in Britain in his prime; no appeal on his points form, which has been poor since a 12l second behind good yardstick Lifetime Ambition at Turtulla in November. |
14/1 |
40/1
Form: -2U942 D
Last run: 62 days
W: 10st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
19th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 171y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Out of form in France this season but only 12 months ago he was beaten 2l in a 2m4f Kempton handicap (soft) off a 10lb higher mark; stamina for this far is not entirely proven but wouldn't be too dismissive. |
5/1 |
|
7 |
30th Mar 2024 Heavy 2m 3f 203y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Poor 1-17 strike-rate over fences but fair fifth in hot Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good to soft) in January on first run back with this yard and ran well when 2l third of six at Kempton (2m4f, soft) last month; this 10yo now contests his first veterans' chase and is firmly in calculations. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 8 |
24th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Campaigned in France from October 2021 until November 2023, winning once (over hurdles) and making the frame plenty of times; not disgraced in a warm race at Cheltenham four weeks ago on his return to British soil, taking fifth of 13 at 50-1, but he is only 1-16 over fences (the win in 2019) and does not look the percentage call. |
5/1 |
14/1
Form: 27-52P BF
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
26th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 219y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Has been well out of form since returning in September from a break and has offered little switched to hunter chases this year; now back in handicap company for his leading stable and down to a potentially workable mark, but recent efforts temper enthusiasm. |
2/1 |
|
4th 1 |
19th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Odds-on third in this race last year before comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May; hasn't got near the latter form in eight starts since September however and latest pulled up, despite attracting some support, was a third non completion in a row; others look safer. |
7/2 |
|
1 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 38y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
He was in better form when runner-up in this last year having won his previous race; very disappointing when pulled up back here just before Christmas and then unseated at Ludlow when 33-1; hard to trust right now. |
11/2 |
5/1
Form: 574-11
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| 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 |
10st 8lb |
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 |
10st 8lb |
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 |
11st 11lb |
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 |
11/1
Form: 11-384 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 9 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 104y |
10st 11lb |
10yo won this last year off 126 (yielding); mixed bag this term, undergoing wind surgery after third start and good comeback run when second in 3m Kelso handicap in February; mistakes when pulled up in Topham at Aintree but remains of interest. |
12/1 |
|
22 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 4lb |
10yo who won this in 2023 (soft); he's had his ups and downs since but won at Punchestown (3m, yielding) last May and bumped into a well-handicapped novice when runner-up at Kelso (2m7f, heavy) last time, following wind surgery; could give a good account and be involved. |
25/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Uncharacteristically below par at Market Rasen four weeks ago; however, he's had a wind op since and two starts ago he ran pretty well when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, soft); this is less competitive than that penultimate assignment and he won here in 2022 on his sole previous run here. |
4/1 |
15/2
Form: P236-0 D BF
Last run: 90 days
W: 12st 0lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 156
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off. |
33/1 |
|
1 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 13y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there. |
6/1 |
25/1
Form: 444-23 C
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 9lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| 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 |
10st 7lb |
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 |
12st 0lb |
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 |
10st 13lb |
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 |
6/1
Form: 212-31 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 30 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 2lb |
4lb out of the handicap today and his losing sequence is up to 12 races; however, he ran pretty well when outstayed in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) last month and is racing off just 2lb higher than when third of 17 over C&D (good to soft) in the Grand Sefton in November; yard has won this five times and he holds each-way possibilities back down in trip. |
25/1 |
|
9th 15 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 70y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Very close fourth of six at Sandown last March (3m, good; albeit lost three places close home) and good third over the National fences at Aintree (2m5f, good to soft) in November; however, tailed off there (3m2f, soft) in December and there's a suspicion he'll again be lacking the necessary stamina. |
33/1 |
9/1
Form: 115-66 D
Last run: 42 days
W: 10st 9lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
9th Mar 2024 Soft 3m 0f 37y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Second-season chaser who shaped with some encouragement in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on reappearance but has disappointed twice since; slipping in the weights but needs to rediscover his spark. |
9/1 |
|
12th 9 |
27th Jan 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 9lb |
prominent, lost position and midfield after 3rd, dropped to last 10th, mistake 11th, bad mistake 5 out |
9/1 |
|
6th 8 |
16th Dec 2023 Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 1 |
10st 2lb |
Won emphatically at Haydock (2m5f, soft) and Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last season and looked ready for a step up in distance when a never-nearer sixth of 14 to Stage Star in the 2m4f Paddy Power here on reappearance; bred to relish today's extra yardage (he's out of a half-sister to the high-class staying jumper Time For Rupert) and looks a fascinating candidate at the bottom of the weights. |
9/2 |
10/1
Form: 15-514
Last run: 42 days
W: 10st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 44y Class 1 |
10st 5lb |
Well treated on the pick of his Cheltenham form at about this trip, as when just touched off by Moon d'Orange last January, but he was pulled up last time out and these very competitive races tend to be beyond him. |
40/1 |
|
6 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Has rather mixed record over last couple of years but gave good account when keeping-on third in valuable Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and will be suited by the slower ground here. |
9/2 |
|
1 |
30th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Not much went to plan on his final two starts last season but he enhanced his very good record when fresh with a good win at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last October and bettered that performance when very close second in valuable Cheltenham race (2m4f, soft) in January; major player. |
7/2 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £176.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £189.43 |
| Tricast | £926.05 |
| Trifecta | £1412.10 |