November 11 / 14.00 Carlisle

14.00

Good

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 1m 7f 207y
  • Class 2
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.00

Form: 34217- CD

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
He needs the others to underperform if he's to win this but that's not out of the question and he has an excellent reappearance record, including a win over C&D last October; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Nells Son

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring.

14/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Nells Son

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive.

33/1

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Nells Son

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here.

12/1

Form: 491P-5 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Well beaten more often than not last season but things clicked when he won the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) in March; faded on recent reappearance in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good) and could benefit from that run and the drop back to 2m; key player if at his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well.

2/5

4th

22

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

15:30 Aintree

Unexpected Party

12st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out.

4/1

1st

2

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Unexpected Party

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level.

5/4

Form: 233-51 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Below best when having to work hard for odds-on novice chase win at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month; however, he was returning from a break and he ran really well in defeat in some tough handicaps at the big meetings last season; strong candidate if at the top of his game this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

7

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Path Doroux

11st 6lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Gavin Cromwell

Only one win from 21 starts over fences, placed seven times; a long way below his best at Cork last time and well held by third-placed Sky Lord.

25/1

5th

1

6th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 1f 45y

14:25 Cork

Path Doroux

11st 12lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful although hard to win with and soundly beaten lately, but the handicappper is relenting; one of three runners for in-form yard

12/1

9th

1

7th Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:18 Gowran Park

Path Doroux

11st 12lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Useful chaser at his best, but hard to win with; record of 1-19 in chases is off-putting, placed seven times; tailed off in a strong handicap at Fairyhouse in January (2m1f, yielding); out of his depth along with Drumgill in a Grade 3 contest at Naas 13 days ago.

10/1

Form: 1113- D

Last run: 214 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 over hurdles (heavy-good to soft) with 4yo Grade 2 win at Kempton (2m) in February; soundly beaten third of five in Aintree Grade 1 in April but top trainer has extremely high hopes for him over fences and he receives a valuable 8lb 4yo allowance today; exciting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Kalif Du Berlais

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

jumped well, made all, soon pestered, increased tempo after 3 out, just over 2 lengths ahead 2 out, ridden run-in, ran on

100/30

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

17:00 Aintree

Kalif Du Berlais

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

jumped well, made all, soon pestered, increased tempo after 3 out, just over 2 lengths ahead 2 out, ridden run-in, ran on

100/30

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 10y

Class 1

14:35 Sandown

Kalif Du Berlais

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Acts on heavy; overall record is 5-7; Grade 2 winner over hurdles; campaigned only at about 2m but he is bred to be suited by this new trip; has form figures of F11 since switched to fences, the wins in novice handicaps, latest at Cheltenham where he easily beat a subsequent scorer; improving 5yo who is a big player on the figures.

3/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.80
Straight Forecast £67.41
Trifecta £65.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kalif Du Berlais

RP RATINGS:

Path d'Oroux

TOPSPEED:

Unexpected Party

WEST COUNTRY:

Kalif Du Berlais

The Times:

Kalif Du Berlais

Daily Mail:

Kalif Du Berlais

D Express:

Kalif Du Berlais

Daily Mirror:

Kalif Du Berlais

Daily Record:

Kalif Du Berlais

Telegraph:

Path d'Oroux

The Guardian:

Path d'Oroux

The Sun:

Path d'Oroux

POSTDATA:

Unexpected Party

The Star:

Unexpected Party