October 16 / 14.30 Wetherby

14.30

Good To Soft

Mary Lofthouse Supporting Spinal Research Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £6073.15
  • 1m 7f 36y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
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Mary Lofthouse Supporting Spinal Research Handicap Chase

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 44111-

Last run: 228 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Thrived early this year when cheekpieces went on, winning three in a row (2m1f, soft/good to soft); not ruled out on reappearance but the absence of cheekpieces and lack of a recent run may both be negatives.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Escapeandevade

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bounced back from an off day at Sandown to win a small-field Newbury event; this is tougher, but he is generally reliable.

14/1

2nd

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Escapeandevade

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form.

5/2

5

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Escapeandevade

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form.

5/1

Form: 32-421 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Snapped an 11-race losing sequence with a win at Kelso (2m1f, good) four weeks ago when back from a break; also effective on soft ground; he's gone back up just 3lb for last time and could play another leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won this 12 months ago on his reappearance when 4lb lower and then finished a 2l second to Primoz at Wetherby, the form of which could be reversed on these more favourable terms; consistent and should have every chance.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

Form: 0-5025 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
10yo who continues to drop down the weights, but for good reason; unable to threaten on first two starts for this yard; has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Grey Diamond

11st 1lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Dual winner over fences but last success was three years ago; his mark continues to fall but he doesn't look ready to take advantage.

12/1

8th

9

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 67y

Class 3

15:45 Haydock

Grey Diamond

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

C&D winner whose mark continues to fall and he was an encouraging third at Bangor in November following a break; however, this inconsistent 12yo is winless since March 2023 and others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: -98542 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Respectable fifth of 13 at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in June and bounced back from lesser run when second of six at Stratford last month (2m1f, good; beaten just over 5l by chasing newcomer); might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

4th

5

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Sir Tivo

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Gary Hanmer

Good-ground specialist who made all in small field at Wetherby (1m7f, good) on latest outing in the autumn, his 11th chase success; won when fresh last spring but is slightly out of the weights here and may find younger rivals better handicapped.

5/1

4

15th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 36y

Class 3

14:48 Wetherby

Sir Tivo

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gary Hanmer

Ten-time chase winner, mainly on good ground; pulled up soon after mid-race jumping error last time but won at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) in the spring and was a creditable second at Uttoxeter (2m, good) two starts ago; can make his presence felt.

7/1

Form: 1741- D

Last run: 180 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Two-time point runner-up who made it 2-4 over hurdles (2m, good to soft/soft) when winning on handicap debut at Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting in April; his trainer's horses frequently make better chasers than hurdlers and this unexposed 6yo is an interesting prospect for the season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

28

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Primoz

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Exploited a reduced mark to win easily in a small field at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month and he's also effective on good/good to soft ground; his yard has done very well over these fences but from out of the handicap he's running off a mark 12lb higher than last time, and needs a career best.

20/1

1st

5

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Primoz

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Yet to win this season but put two below-par runs behind him when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft; also suited by soft) a fortnight ago and remains on a good mark; one to consider.

5/2

3rd

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Primoz

10st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Two wins in small-field chases last season and ran creditably on his first two outings this term; those, however, have been followed by two heavy defeats; well handicapped were he to revive but he's not proven beyond 2m1f.

16/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Primoz

RP RATINGS:

Pay The Piper

TOPSPEED:

Sir Tivo

The Times:

Primoz

The Guardian:

Primoz

Daily Mail:

Primoz

Daily Mirror:

Primoz

The Sun:

Primoz

The Star:

Primoz

Telegraph:

Pay The Piper

Daily Record:

Pay The Piper

POSTDATA:

Sir Tivo

D Express:

Sir Tivo