January 01 / 14.05 Cheltenham

14.05

Soft

Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 2U-132 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft ground; ran well behind a very smart prospect in C&D novice chase last month, taking form figures over fences to 132; likely on a workable mark and looks the type to win a good handicap in this sphere; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield

13/2

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

Form: P16-13 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Latest effort suggests he remains in form; however, proved better suited by the track when beating Colonel Harry at Carlisle earlier in November and may struggle to confirm the placings at this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

30

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Marble Sands

10st 5lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Negotiated these fences safely in the 2m5f Topham one year ago, albeit fading into 12th; a strong-staying display to win at Cheltenham (near 3m4f, soft; 5lb higher today) in November hints at untapped potential over long distances.

50/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 23-8P5 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 1lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Landed the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival (soft) in 2023 but that was during his peak spell; has something to find on this season's form, only fifth in veterans' event back here most recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

(17)

11th Oct 2025

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Seddon

8st 7lb

J: Patrick McGettigan

T: John C McConnell

Can make the running; superb 2022-23 season was his best over hurdles/fences, including big-field wins at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals; a 10yo before his attentions were turned to the Flat and he won twice (2m1f/1m6f) last August/September; the five good handicaps since, however, have seen him comfortably held (last four were over fences); off since April; today's hood is his first ever headgear.

40/1

9th

8

30th Apr 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

18:05 Punchestown

Seddon

10st 13lb

J: Alex Harvey

T: John C McConnell

led, headed 4th, prominent behind clear leader 8th

14/1

Form: 3521-3 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Belied his 25-1 odds with good second in similar event over C&D (good to soft) last January; now 5lb higher but can't be comfortably ruled out; may be at concert pitch with Carlisle reappearance under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Lounge Lizard

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Humphrey

Four-time chase winner at up to 3m1f; well handicapped on his Huntingdon win for Henry Daly last March but he's struggled since including in two runs for new yard this spring; ran well to a point at Ludlow last time but he was on the retreat when he fell and others preferred.

40/1

5

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Lounge Lizard

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Potentially well treated on old form but signed off for Henry Daly with his own ideas about the game and he made a quiet start for this yard at Huntingdon after wind surgery; risky.

16/1

5th

1

1st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 3

14:45 Huntingdon

Lounge Lizard

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Sarah Humphrey

Comes with some risk, having proved recalcitrant in sole start this term (left Henry Daly and had wind surgery since); otherwise interesting back at Huntingdon, with record of 2-2 over fences here comprising wins in this contest for the last two years.

8/1

Form: /3F-30 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Successful in this contest two years ago (soft) but was in much better form at the time and, having now reached the veteran stage, it's questionable whether his peak days can be recaptured; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Kempton

Midnight River

11st 13lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Dan Skelton

Successful in notable handicaps at Cheltenham (2m4f) and Aintree (3m1f) in the 2022-23 campaign and is well treated on that form; hasn't looked the same horse since, however.

10/1

5th

2

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Midnight River

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, slightly hampered 4 out, some headway 3 out, weakened home turn

10/1

Form: 550-11 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Better than ever this season, winning in great style at Ascot (2m5f, good) then sticking on well to beat the favourite in the December Gold Cup over C&D (good to soft; pair clear); another 8lb rise may not stop him in current form; commands respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

17

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gemirande

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won good handicaps at Ascot (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) towards the end of last year; a case can be made on that form but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

50/1

18th

17

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gemirande

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won good handicaps at Ascot (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) towards the end of last year; a case can be made on that form but three lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

50/1

17th

10

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Gemirande

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Found a new level of form in late 2024 with wins at Ascot (2m5f, good) and over C&D (good to soft); disappointing here next time but he was still going well when nearly down three out over C&D in January and the 6lb higher mark than for his latest win may not be beyond him; considered for yard that's won this race three times.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 364-20

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
4-4 on soft/heavy when racing below Grade 1 level; very useful novice chaser last term; unsuited by right-handed Carlisle when beaten by Marble Sands on reappearance and failed to stay 3m2f at Newbury since; remains of interest, with this race looking an ideal spot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Colonel Harry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out

7/2

3

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Colonel Harry

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out

7/2

1

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

13:05 Chepstow

Colonel Harry

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Form: 28441F C

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Irish 8yo who fell in the Troytown last time; gamely opened his chase account in novice handicap here (2m4f, good) in October and may still have further progress in him; interesting back at Cheltenham.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

2nd May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 90y

14:30 Punchestown

Lisnamult Lad

11st 12lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Decent sort at his best, career-best performance when close second in last season's 2m5f Topham at Aintree; very lightly raced this season, most recently running well for long way in same event before fading from last; type who could go well here if taking to the banks (won only point-to-point).

11/2

9th

20

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Lisnamult Lad

10st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Well below his best on both runs this season, the latest at Leopardstown in December; however, he produced a career-best performance when a close second in this 12 months ago (good to soft), pulling clear with Gentleman De Mee, and the return to Aintree could spark a revival; on the shortlist.

12/1

6

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 208y

Class 2

14:55 Cheltenham

Lisnamult Lad

11st 0lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Better known as a chaser now and ran big race over the big Aintree fences in April (2m5f, good to soft); 1lb lower for this first hurdle run since May 2024 but this different test may not show him in quite the same light.

20/1

Non-runners

Hitman

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.90
Straight Forecast £29.18
Tricast £325.36
Trifecta £217.60

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Springwell Bay

SPOTLIGHT:

Colonel Harry

TOPSPEED:

Lisnamult Lad

RP RATINGS:

Gemirande

Daily Mail:

Lounge Lizard

The Star:

Seddon

Telegraph:

Lisnamult Lad

The Times:

Springwell Bay

The Guardian:

Springwell Bay

D Express:

Springwell Bay

The Sun:

Springwell Bay

Daily Record:

Springwell Bay

POSTDATA:

Colonel Harry

LAMBOURN:

Colonel Harry

Daily Mirror:

Gemirande