December 26 / 14.15 Aintree

14.15

Good To Soft

William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
William Hill Committed To Top Prices Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 09-980

Last run: 12 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Ran well for a long way in the Scottish National in April and has dropped down the weights; however, he was well beaten in June on his next two runs and it was the same story at Doncaster 12 days ago after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Whistleinthedark

11st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: L J Morgan

11yo who was tailed off at Cheltenham in December and pulled up at Haydock this month on sole run since; arrives with something to prove but three visits to Perth have yielded two wins, including this race in 2023, so he's worth a second look; a first-time visor replaces cheekpieces.

25/1

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Whistleinthedark

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: L J Morgan

Inconsistent last year but won twice (3m/2m4f, good/soft), those victories coming on the back of respective breaks of 89 and 120 days; may be best caught fresh nowadays so is worth a second look after 113 days off.

33/1

1

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:43 Perth

Whistleinthedark

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Back in rude health over C&D (good) in May, easily beating Saint Arvans to win by 20l, and his subsequent Market Rasen fourth (2m5f, good) was also a good effort; still well handicapped on old form; shortlisted.

3/1

Form: 343-3P D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Just one win from his 19 chase starts and he can make mistakes, as was the case five out at Newcastle last time after which he weakened quickly; however, prior to that he was a fair third in the Badger Beer at Wincanton and he's dropped to an enticing mark; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Gustavian

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Solid performances in notable handicaps this season, winning the Badger Beers at Wincanton then fourth in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown and Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years; respected back down in class.

9/4

4th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Gustavian

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Jumped well and dominated throughout in the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good; handles softer) and gave it another good go off this 8lb higher mark at Sandown; assured competition for the lead here has to reduce his appeal.

25/1

7th

7

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Gustavian

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, hit 5th

7/2

Form: 1168-1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Reappeared with a handicap hurdle win on stable and seasonal debut at Warwick (3m1f, good to soft) last month; he didn't jump with fluency on his sole British chase start in April 2023 but still ran well and he was a two-time chase winner in France; only a 6yo; on the shortlist now back over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) this season; very good third of 24 to Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (3m, good) last month but Sean Bowen still deserts him in favour of Hold The Serve.

20/1

3rd

12

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ikarak

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Below form on his only run at this track, albeit two years ago; regular winner, including at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) and Ayr (3m, soft) in two of three starts this season, with a creditable third to Kikijo at Sandown in between; up another 6lb but if he's in contention he will be staying on.

50/1

4

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Warwick

Ikarak

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Two from two over C&D, both wins gained this season for new stable; nearly made the frame in Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow last time; commands respect back at Warwick.

5/2

Form: 12-5P3 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Consistent last season, winning at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in March, and he returned to form in a first-time tongue-tie when third at Wetherby (3m, soft) recently; could be in the mix if the absence of the tongue-tie isn't an issue; his usual cheekpieces return after being left off last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

25th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:55 Kelso

Duke Of Deception

10st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Absent since comfortable success in small field at Haydock (3m1f, good) six months ago; faces a stiffer task from 5lb out of weights in this better race and seems unlikely to follow up.

8/1

1st

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Duke Of Deception

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won smoothly on soft ground in this race last year (7lb higher today); handicapper has had the call since but seconds at Warwick (3m5f, good) and Haydock (3m4f, good) on last two outings showed that he should have a big say in this very small field.

13/8

1st

1

19th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 125y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Duke Of Deception

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

pressed leader, led narrowly 4 out, went clear after 3 out, comfortably

13/8

Form: 131-72

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Point and two-time novice hurdle winner who went very close at Carlisle (3m, soft) this month on his second chase start; 4lb higher today but this very lightly raced 5yo could have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

15

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 7f 68y

15:05 Punchestown

Fortunate Man

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Began this campaign with 3m1f Aintree handicap win in December (good-to-soft) but hasn't repeated that sort of form in three runs since, including treated for post-race heat stress after Eider Chase fifth; most recently never nearer fourth under top-weight in lesser 3m2f Kelso contest; more needed but not one to rule out.

10/1

4th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Fortunate Man

11st 6lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Did well last season; kicked off this campaign with a 3l win at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and didn't run badly in valuable races on next two outings, last time in the Eider after which he was treated for post-race heat stress; he was joint-favourite for that and this race isn't as demanding.

2/1

Form: 422-2P

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Runner-up three times in a row in the spring; may have needed his reappearance at Carlisle on December 1 but was pulled up and needs to be an entirely different proposition this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Busty Boy

11st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

Only 1-22 under rules and clearly hard to win with but he arrives in form having placed in a second successive Highland National here (3m6f, good) last month; just as effective over this shorter distance.

7/2

2nd

6

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Busty Boy

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Daragh Bourke

Only 1-21 overall and clearly hard to win with, but he was runner-up in this 12 months ago and returns in form having been running well from 2m4f to 3m; in the mix.

5/1

3rd

4

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Busty Boy

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Daragh Bourke

Sole win under rules came in a handicap chase in 2023 (2m7f, soft); stays 3m6f but nearly won over this far at Carlisle on his reappearance and not disgraced since.

6/1

Form: 4436-2

Last run: 54 days

W: 10st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
French chase winner (2m1f, very soft) who didn't really shine in Britain last season but this 5yo got back on track when runner-up at Wetherby (3m, good) on last month's reappearance; could build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:35 Southwell

Jar Du Desert

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

took keen hold, prominent

10/1

2nd

6

4th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

15:35 Market Rasen

Jar Du Desert

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Nick Kent

Won over fences in France; inconsistent in his eight British races and was pulled up in the latest; others safer.

10/1

8

12th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:30 Wetherby

Jar Du Desert

11st 2lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

jumped left on occasions, prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders after 6th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up approaching last

12/1

Betting Forcast

14/1 Whistleinthedark, 9/2 Gustavian, 5/2 Ikarak, 9/2 Duke Of Deception, 9/4 Fortunate Man, 33/1 Busty Boy, 6/1 Jar Du Desert

Non-runners

Moonlit Potter

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fortunate Man

RP RATINGS:

Duke Of Deception

Telegraph:

Ikarak

D Express:

Jar Du Desert

Daily Mail:

Moonlit Potter

WEST COUNTRY:

Fortunate Man

The Times:

Fortunate Man

The Guardian:

Fortunate Man

Daily Mirror:

Fortunate Man

The Sun:

Fortunate Man

The Star:

Fortunate Man

Daily Record:

Ikarak

TOPSPEED:

Duke Of Deception

POSTDATA:

Duke Of Deception