Today / 15.25 Stratford

15.25

Good

John Murtagh 60th Birthday Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13070.4
  • 2m 0f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
RTV
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John Murtagh 60th Birthday Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 7P-111 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner but already a better chaser having gone 3-3 in handicaps at about this trip and wasn't unduly troubled in any of them; looks to have got off lightly with just a 5lb rise for the latest here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Matterhorn

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Chase record is 5-11, the most recent win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last spring; seen only twice since but ran well in a notable handicap at Plumpton (2m1f) the latest time; possibilities at the weights, provided he stays the new trip.

7/2

2nd

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 2

14:35 Plumpton

Matterhorn

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Made it 5-9 over fences with convincing win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last May; pulled up on sole run since, at Ascot in December, but the good to soft ground may not have suited; second in this last year; could go well.

11/2

1

25th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:48 Uttoxeter

Matterhorn

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Chase career commenced with a four-timer last spring/summer; subsequently lost his form until running well, beating all bar a similarly useful stablemate, in major handicap at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last time; possibilities, provided he's as effective back up in trip.

4/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 0-2221 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Horse

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Ended his run of seconds when coming from behind to ease past the front-running Calgary Tiger at Worcester (2m, good); this could be run in similar fashion and a 6lb rise isn't the end of the world.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

19:50 Stratford

In This World

12st 0lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for the Skeltons; showed his best form for his current yard when fifth of eight at Warwick (2m, good) 26 days ago; his mark continues to drop and he should find another opening at some point.

7/1

5th

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

15:15 Warwick

In This World

11st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Dan Skelton but opposable on what he's shown in last four races, all handicaps divided between hurdles and fences.

20/1

5th

2

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

In This World

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Dan Skelton but showed little for current yard in three starts last year; hard to fancy.

25/1

Form: 44U-42 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Should be well handicapped, likes good ground and returned to form with a pleasing second at Newton Abbot; often takes a good hold so the assured strong pace here will aid his chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:25 Stratford

Only Money

10st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Should be well handicapped, likes good ground and returned to form with a pleasing second at Newton Abbot; often takes a good hold so the assured strong pace here will aid his chance.

6/1

2nd

7

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 3

18:10 Newton Abbot

Only Money

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Did not hit top gear during light campaign last season and was well beaten (albeit on soft ground) last month, after a break; on good mark now and might be seen to better effect if the ground stays good here but others have much less to prove.

16/1

4th

4

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

18:10 Southwell

Only Money

11st 9lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Four chase wins (from 14 attempts); has seemingly found himself stranded too high in the weights since scoring at Worcester (2m, good) in October 2022; back to his last winning mark after unseating rider early on at Plumpton last September; fitness is taken on trust.

13/2

Form: 13-985 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Good overall strike-rate over fences and now 1lb lower than when beating Cracking Destiny in this 12 months ago; likes to race prominently but accepts a lead and he'll get one here with Calgary Tiger running; however, this season hasn't been his best so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:58 Stratford

Sir Tivo

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Veteran with 11 chase wins on his CV, including 2023 edition of this race; returns here after respectable third behind two progressive rivals at Uttoxeter (2m, good) last month but Centara is unlikely to allow him to play his preferred front-running role.

10/1

3rd

5

28th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:52 Uttoxeter

Sir Tivo

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Multiple winner down the years and latest effort suggests he retains plenty of ability aged 12; has a respectable record (252, last three years) in this corresponding race but it remains to be seen whether his old legs can make it fourth time lucky.

12/1

2nd

2

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:36 Cartmel

Sir Tivo

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Good-ground specialist with 11 chase wins on his CV, including 2025 edition of this race; shaped well before weakening into fourth at Bangor (2m1f, good) this month, after a layoff, and can make a bold bid from the front under Sean Bowen.

13/8

Form: /P79-2 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner who made a welcome return to form when a front-running second behind In This World at Worcester (2m, good); the winner won comfortably but this track will suit this 9yo's style of running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 149y

Class 5

15:27 Wincanton

Calgary Tiger

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: William de Best-Turner

Front-runner who hasn't offered a great deal since returning from nearly a year out and it's seldom easy for veterans to rediscover their form; however, this is a much easier race than he's accustomed to.

9/4

5th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:15 Newcastle

Calgary Tiger

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Price

T: William de Best-Turner

Free-going nature; no win since landing a Class 3 at Newbury (2m, 13-8 joint-favourite) in March 2023; fell at Cheltenham (80-1) on penultimate start and was equally out of his depth in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton over Christmas; this is more realistic.

12/1

3rd

6

6th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 3

13:23 Sandown

Calgary Tiger

10st 9lb

J: James Best

T: William de Best-Turner

led, joined 2 out, headed before last, weakened and lost second final 110yds

12/1

Form: P4-724 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bumped into an improver at Uttoxeter before running well in a stronger Class 2 event there three weeks ago; likely competition for the lead is a concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Opening Bid

12st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Chris Down

Multiple winner over hurdles and fences; went down narrowly after a break at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) and he's hard to knock, other than the handicapper knowing all about him.

13/2

1st

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Opening Bid

12st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Chris Down

Multiple winner over hurdles and fences; went down narrowly after a break at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) and he's hard to knock, other than the handicapper knowing all about him.

13/2

2nd

1

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Opening Bid

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

led, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on well

8/1

Form: 143-67 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Second in this 12 months ago and went on to win at Musselburgh off this very mark; last couple of efforts reduces his appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Cracking Destiny

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Veteran; has won five chases from 2m-2m4f on good/good to soft; good third at Hexham in August but two heavy defeats since; on last winning mark; could bounce back.

9/2

5

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Cracking Destiny

10st 11lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

Veteran; has won five chases from 2m-2m4f on good/good to soft; good third at Hexham in August but two heavy defeats since; on last winning mark; could bounce back.

9/2

6

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 4

16:15 Carlisle

Cracking Destiny

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

12yo; won at Hexham (2m4f, good) in June and third there in August (2m4f, good); mistakes may have been costly when tailed off at Kelso (2m5f, good) latest and he's not written off, but others are more compelling.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.20
Straight Forecast £5.87
Trifecta £28.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Matterhorn

SPOTLIGHT:

Only Money

The Times:

In This World

TOPSPEED:

Opening Bid

The Sun:

In This World

Telegraph:

Matterhorn

D Express:

Matterhorn

The Star:

Matterhorn

Daily Record:

Matterhorn

RP RATINGS:

Only Money

Daily Mirror:

Only Money