October 26 / 14.20 Cheltenham

14.20

Good

William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £52030
  • 3m 1f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 14 runners
ITV
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William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.40
  • Place: £3.10

Form: /321P-

Last run: 208 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
2-4 as a hurdler and showed smart form; signs last season that he'll be every bit as good over fences and he is readily forgiven his no-show when only 10-1 for the Irish National on final appearance; he's a dark one for last season's winning yard and the cheekpieces are new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

20

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Senior Chief

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lightly raced 8yo; 10-1 when pulled up in the Irish National (3m5f, heavy) last April, in touch five out on his only go at a marathon trip; reappearance win at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October was a great deal more auspicious, staying on strongly; creditable sixth off this 9lb higher mark in Coral Gold Cup next time and had a hurdle race in February; needs a second look.

33/1

6th

20

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Senior Chief

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lightly raced 8yo; 10-1 when pulled up in the Irish National (3m5f, heavy) last April, in touch five out on his only go at a marathon trip; reappearance win at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October was a great deal more auspicious, staying on strongly; creditable sixth off this 9lb higher mark in Coral Gold Cup next time and had a hurdle race in February; needs a second look.

33/1

9th

1

23rd Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 7f 20y

15:50 Naas

Senior Chief

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Two-time winner over timber; won a handicap chase on his return to action off 142 at Cheltenham in October and wasn't disgraced off 9lb higher in the Coral Gold Gup at Newbury subsequently; could be well treated off 135 in his first handicap hurdle and handles heavy; chance.

17/2

12/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 61-534 BF

Last run: 64 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Lacks experience for a race of this nature after only three chase runs but he's run well when made favourite for his two handicaps (2m3f/3m1f) and could have a part to play off his feather weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

The Short Go

11st 6lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a maiden hurdle here in 2023 and is 1-10 over fences; hasn't had much racing in the last two years but ran two fine races in valuable Cheltenham handicaps last winter; not as good after wind surgery in the Ultima handicap last time; player if at best.

4/1

11th

17

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

The Short Go

10st 9lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Didn't jump well when 16l fifth to Myretown in this race last March (good to soft); solid course record otherwise and he twice made the frame here (3m1f/3m2f, good/good to soft) towards the end of last year; has had a wind operation since and he's an each-way candidate if jumping better than 12 months ago.

20/1

11

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

The Short Go

10st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Perhaps unfortunate not to win this 12 months ago and returned in March with a highly commendable fifth in the Ultima given that his jumping was a major hindrance (had fallen the time before); simply never gave his running at Punchestown on final start; if he can find any fluency over his fences he'd be a danger to all; stable has won the last two editions of this.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21135- CD

Last run: 197 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Second in a novice chase at this meeting last year before returning for wins in novice (3m) and handicap company (3m2f; 3lb lower); had some physical issues during second half of the season and failed to show his form; likeable front-runner who could yet be Graded class and returns with his yard in top form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Broadway Boy

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Started this season brightly, notably when second to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); he'd have a good shout judged on that display and going beyond 3m2f made plenty of appeal even before that; however, he disappointed at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and ran badly there last month; cheekpieces (tried at this meeting last year, tailed off) return.

66/1

23

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Broadway Boy

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Started this season brightly, notably when second to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); he'd have a good shout judged on that display and going beyond 3m2f made plenty of appeal even before that; however, he disappointed at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and ran badly there last month; cheekpieces (tried at this meeting last year, tailed off) return.

66/1

3

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Broadway Boy

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Didn't jump fluently when below par here on New Year's Day; however, he's reportedly had his knees medicated since and two starts ago was a fine second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft); two wins here (3m/3m2f) during last season's novice campaign; in the mix if back on song.

7/1

Form: P451P- CD

Last run: 182 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m3f handicap chase in November 2022 on last visit to Cheltenham; his Grimthorpe win in the new cheekpieces (beat Some Scope; 3m2f, soft) was the only real bright spot last season, signing off with a laboured effort in Sandown's big finale; it remains to seen what effect further wind surgery has had, but even then this looks tough with top weight.
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: /3007- D

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Has not had a lot of racing since winning Newbury's big November chase two seasons ago when 1lb lower; confined to hurdling last season until returning to fences for Sandown's feature in April in which he ran well but didn't appear to stay the 3m4f; has to be on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Le Milos

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown (3m, good) in January two starts ago and he's not ruled out today; however, he's been inconsistent this season and was soundly beaten at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) in February; he may prefer a longer trip than this nowadays; fourth in this last year.

9/1

3rd

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Le Milos

11st 9lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Returned to form with creditable second in valuable veterans' final at Sandown (3m, good) last month and remains only 1lb higher than when winning this race readily by 6l a year ago (soft ground); major player, and his appeal will increase if the ground turns heavy.

9/4

Form: /1215- BF

Last run: 245 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Progressive profile last season and, under a positive ride, would have finished closer at Kempton on final start had he not made a horlicks of the last fence; he's unraced beyond 2m4f so will be into unknown territory a long way from home, but there's potential off this mark if he can see it out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 3

14:58 Ludlow

Pepe Le Moko

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Rallied for a near miss over C&D in December (Regal Renaissance challenging when falling) and he was part responsible for the strong pace off which Rodney won at Hereford (2m5f, soft); capable of being involved should this pan out more favourably.

8/1

3

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Pepe Le Moko

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Won this race on chasing debut in 2023 and was also on target at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the following January; drew a blank and became rather disappointing last season but can be very dangerous off current mark if revitalised after 225-day break.

8/1

3

4th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:02 Warwick

Pepe Le Moko

11st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Won this race on chasing debut in 2023 and was also on target at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the following January; drew a blank and became rather disappointing last season but can be very dangerous off current mark if revitalised after 225-day break.

8/1

Form: 4U421-

Last run: 183 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Has won half of his 12 starts under rules, doubling his tally as a chaser (2-6) with a professional display to beat five rivals over 3m at Perth (soft) in April; starts this season unexposed as a stayer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 2

16:18 Perth

Chasing Fire

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Generally disappointing during light campaign last season but turned things around with staying-on third here (2m4f, good to soft) on final start in April; remains well handicapped on older form and will be suited by this return to 3m; can't be ignored.

9/2

3rd

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:59 Perth

Chasing Fire

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

in rear

14/1

3rd

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:59 Perth

Chasing Fire

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

in rear

14/1

Form: U563-2 C

Last run: 173 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
No complaints with the handicapper and, although all his wins have been over shorter, he gave it a good go when a clear second over 3m at Kempton in May when last seen; faces an even stiffer stamina test here and that could leave him vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

Form: 151-06

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Ex-Gordon Elliott; sent straight chasing by his new trainer and has disappointed the last twice after winning two of his first three (all those runs at up to 2m1f); going this far represents a major change in direction.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

22nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:20 Newcastle

Kansas City Star

11st 6lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Harry Derham

led, not fluent 1st, headed and raced in second 4th, lost second and weakened before 4 out

6/1

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Kansas City Star

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders on outer, not fluent 1st

16/1

12

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Kansas City Star

10st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders on outer, not fluent 1st

16/1

Form: 55020- C

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Won the Albert Bartlett here at the Festival in 2021; has never been a complete natural over fences, hence his modest strike-rate of 1-14; finished runner-up in the 2023 Grand National (unsighted in that race when last seen) and unlikely to be fully wound up for this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Vanillier

10st 7lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Gavin Cromwell

Thorough stayer who came second in the 2023 Grand National; not very consistent nowadays but did very well to finish third behind Stumptown in this race last year (good to soft), having lost ground when nearly taking the wrong course in early stages, and returns here after a win on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy) last month.

7/1

Form: -PP112 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in this 12 months ago and struggled for a while afterwards; however, got firmly back on track this summer and gave the hat-trick bid a good go at Perth (3m, good); has no recent wellbeing questions (unlike some) but this would be the highest mark he's won off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Kinondo Kwetu

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

He won two in a row in the summer (3m2f/2m7f, good) but was pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October and soundly beaten in the Rehearsal at Newcastle (2m7f, good) last time; needs to bounce back.

25/1

Form: P/6P0- D

Last run: 192 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Lost his way for Gordon Elliott having once been smart and showed nothing in two French runs before finishing down the field in a 3m2f handicap here in April.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Escaria Ten

11st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Hasn't won since Thurles beginners' chase win in 2020 for Gordon Elliott; some okay cross-country form in recent seasons, standout run this term when third in 3m6f Cheltenham handicap in January, tame enough Exeter effort latest when ground may have been on the quick side; others preferred.

14/1

4th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Escaria Ten

11st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Returned to form with creditable third in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, soft; refitted visor) in December and remains on a good mark but this veteran has become far too inconsistent to rely upon and may not be ideally suited by the forecast good ground here.

10/1

3rd

11

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

Escaria Ten

10st 4lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Looked out of sorts when pulled up here twice in the autumn (3m1f/2m4f; had wind op in between) and can't be supported with much confidence, but is now 10lb lower than when close fourth over C&D (soft) in December 2024; swaps blinkers for refitted visor.

20/1

Form: 2PP-14 C

Last run: 122 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Good ground is important but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and ran another poor race at Worcester in June after springing back to life at Aintree (3m1f, good); has had further wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

5th

3

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Captain Morgs

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Useful over hurdles and fences on his day; out of sorts since chase success last May but this is a drop back in class and mark is workable on best form.

7/1

21

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Captain Morgs

10st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nicky Henderson

Good ground suits but he's not the easiest to predict at the best of times and has run badly in all three races since his chase win at Aintree (3m1f, good) last May; had a second wind operation before penultimate start and was back hurdling for latest; well treated on best form but the chances of his reproducing it seem to be receding.

66/1

Form: 51124- D BF

Last run: 192 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 6yo who didn't hang about hurdles and has gone 2-5 over fences; testing ground wouldn't have been favourable when second to Does He Know in last season's Grimthorpe (3m2f) and then ran respectably here on good; surely has more to offer and lurks on a lovely weight here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Some Scope

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Richard Hobson

Won from the front in first-time visor (kept since) at Doncaster in December; back to form when second at Newbury on latest start, his second run after his second wind operation; has a competitive mark but his inconsistency and going beyond 3m2f both introduce doubts.

5/1

2nd

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Some Scope

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Not easy to predict but he's only 2lb higher than when making all at Doncaster (3m, good) just after Christmas, and he probably went off too fast when beaten 33l there (3m2f, soft) three weeks ago; not discounted.

11/2

2nd

10

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Some Scope

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Physical issues came to light after disappointing in a cross-country race last time; wore just a tongue-tie then but the visor that worked so well when a 3l winner here the time before now returns, as does Charlie Maggs with his claim; however, he has become hard to predict and underwent further wind surgery only recently.

15/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £108.00
Straight Forecast £102.58
Tricast £309.41
Trifecta £562.00

Selections

Telegraph:

Broadway Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Some Scope

The Times:

Pepe Le Moko

RP RATINGS:

Does He Know

D Express:

The Short Go

POSTDATA:

Kinondo Kwetu

TOPSPEED:

Unanswered Prayers

Daily Mail:

Broadway Boy

The Sun:

Broadway Boy

Daily Record:

Broadway Boy

WEST COUNTRY:

Some Scope

The Guardian:

Some Scope

The Star:

Pepe Le Moko

Daily Mirror:

Does He Know