October 25 / 14.25 Cheltenham

14.25

Good

squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £51440
  • 1m 7f 199y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV
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squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 12240- D

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Free-going front-runner who launched chasing career with 10l win at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) a year ago and ran well in defeat on next three outings, including when fourth over C&D in Arkle (soft) at the Festival in March; disappointed at Aintree in April but could take some catching here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Matata

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences.

14/1

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Matata

11st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track.

25/1

5th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Matata

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here.

33/1

Form: 066-21 CD

Last run: 60 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
As good as ever when winning this race on good ground last year but has not come close to matching that form since; had to work hard to convert good opportunity in Ballinrobe conditions chase (2m1f, soft) in August and will need to up his game to have any chance under top weight today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

2

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Dancing On My Own

11st 10lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some notable handicaps at 2m, including over C&D in October 2023; creditable third when attempting to repeat that success and has had a break since; might be vulnerable to younger legs.

18/1

2

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Dancing On My Own

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some big handicaps at 2m, notably at Aintree and Cheltenham in 2023; respectable third when attempting to repeat latter success in October and has had a break since; probably not quite the force of old and now steps up in trip.

14/1

2

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Dancing On My Own

11st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has landed some big handicaps at 2m, notably at Aintree and Cheltenham in 2023; respectable third when attempting to repeat latter success in October and has had a break since; probably not quite the force of old and now steps up in trip.

14/1

Form: 21-215 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Three-time chase winner; showed career-best form when coming from off the pace to score at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) in June and his recent hurdle run was perfectly respectable; needs to find hidden reserves to prevail from slightly out of the weights here, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

31st May 2026

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:37 Fakenham

Coastguard Station

12st 0lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Good-ground specialist who was a course winner in 2024 and returns here after two good efforts this spring, the latter a close fourth at Aintree (2m4f, good) 16 days ago; respected.

3/1

4th

4

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Coastguard Station

11st 7lb

J: David Noonan

T: Henry Oliver

Enjoys good ground; bumped into the enigmatic Numitor on a good day at Hereford last month (2m5f) but this 10yo also struggles with his consistency; he's capable but risky enough.

10/1

2nd

3

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Coastguard Station

11st 1lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Henry Oliver

Enjoys good ground on which he beat the useful Mahons Glory by 8l at Market Rasen in September (2m5f); tailed off since then on either side of a 140-day break but those were strong handicaps; respected.

9/1

Form: 12113-

Last run: 191 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Responded very well to cheekpieces in early part of this year, winning three times (2m3f-2m4f) before ending last season with creditable third in Grade 2 handicap here (2m4f, good) in April; not certain to be suited by today's drop back in trip but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

15:49 Newton Abbot

Scarface

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner and his last success was in this race (off 2lb lower) last year; has been in and out this season but he bounced back with a fair third in Class 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) two weeks ago; has possibilities if he can back that up and he's versatile ground-wise.

12/1

3rd

6

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Scarface

11st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Inconsistent this season but has finished a good second on two occasions (November/December) and filled the same position in this race 12 months ago prior to beating Heltenham at Newton Abbot; well capable of posing a threat, provided he's back to form.

8/1

5th

5

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Scarface

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Usually wears cheeekpieces; inconsistent (2P2P) this term but sole attempt in blinkers resulted in a good effort at Ascot (2m3f) on penultimate start; could go well in the reapplied blinds.

6/1

Form: 31585- CD

Last run: 197 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Second to Dancing On My Own in this race a year ago (good ground) and collared Calico to go one better over C&D (good to soft) three weeks later; in even better form when scoring off today's mark at Ascot (2m3f, good) last December and, although he'd gone off the boil by the end of last season, he's of significant interest today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Still on a good mark despite winning twice this season (2m/2m4f; soft/good) and was 11-2 for the veterans' final over C&D earlier this month, only to depart early; has a lot in his favour so merits each-way consideration.

16/1

12

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Triple Trade

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Two wins this season (2m/2m4f, soft/good) and 10l third behind an 8yo and a 7yo at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in January; 20l fourth in another competitive handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in February but that form is working out well and he's back against fellow veterans today; chance.

11/1

4th

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Triple Trade

10st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has a solid record (1313) over 2m/2m4f this season but gained the wins in Class 3 and finished 10l behind a couple of younger rivals, albeit not disgraced, in Class 1 at Cheltenham most recently; the 10yo looks under some pressure kept to this level.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 4204-P D

Last run: 172 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Succumbed to late thrust from Triple Trade after looking very likely winner over C&D (good to soft) last November and ran another big race in defeat at Doncaster (2m, good) in January; out of form when last seen in the spring but resumes on a good mark and will be dangerous if back on song after break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

15th

2

16th Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 50y

12:50 Navan

Calico

11st 12lb

J: Finn Brickley

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; has been chasing lately; trainer appears to have stronger candidates.

12/1

6th

1

1st Nov 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 100y

14:40 Down Royal

Calico

12st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time winner including over hurdles in America 12 months ago, not long after opening her chase account at Galway; out of her depth in a Grade 2 chase at Punchestown festival; had a run over hurdles before 12l second to The Banger Doyle on handicap debut at Cork.

7/2

Form: /111P- D

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Took very well to chasing as a 4yo last autumn, winning a 2m2f handicap and two Listed races (2m1f/2m4f); absent since running poorly in Kempton Grade 2 in February but could quite plausibly improve again this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:07 Kempton

Arclight

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Has a record of 4-8 over fences and ran well on most recent attempt in this sphere (poor effort over hurdles since); on a career-high mark but she's the only course winner in this field and 2-3 at Kempton to boot.

7/2

2nd

3

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Worcester

Arclight

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Reverted to fences with a hard-fought success at Stratford (2m1f, good) and perhaps found good to firm too lively when tailed off back there 28 days ago; can be hard to predict but she's capable of a big run.

6/1

1

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:57 Stratford

Arclight

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Not really firing on all cylinders over hurdles this spring but reverted to fences with a hard-fought success here (2m1f, good; front pair clear) last month and has obvious claims if in similar form again today.

11/4

Form: 985424 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Good-ground specialist with very good 9-30 strike-rate over fences; ran well when second at Stratford (2m1f, good) two starts ago but has been inconsistent this year and may find this race too competitive; 2lb wrong.
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: 2111P- D

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 6yo who is 5-9 over British fences, with all the wins gained on soft ground; ended last season with a poor run in April and, with good ground forecast, he's not the percentage call here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:15 Wincanton

Royal Mer

12st 0lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Six chase wins, the latest here (1m7f, heavy) under Rian Corcoran 19 days ago; still on workable mark after recent 5lb rise and will be fine over today's longer trip but the faster ground is probably not in his favour.

9/2

1st

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 149y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Royal Mer

12st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Five-time chase winner who relishes testing ground; runner-up in his first two starts this season including a close call at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft), but his form cooled at Hereford last time; needs to step up again after that but he remains well treated on his old form.

7/2

3rd

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Royal Mer

11st 13lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Pipe

Five-time chase winner who relishes testing ground; runner-up on both starts this term and looks sure to go close.

13/8

Non-runners

Madara

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.60
Straight Forecast £10.76
Tricast £33.01
Trifecta £49.00

Selections

The Times:

Matata

WEST COUNTRY:

Triple Trade

SPOTLIGHT:

Calico

LAMBOURN:

Arclight

POSTDATA:

Dancing On My Own

Telegraph:

Matata

D Express:

Matata

The Star:

Matata

Daily Record:

Matata

The Guardian:

Triple Trade

Daily Mail:

Triple Trade

Daily Mirror:

Triple Trade

RP RATINGS:

Calico

TOPSPEED:

Calico

The Sun:

Calico