February 15 / 15.15 Haydock

15.15

Good To Soft

Oddschecker Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 3m 4f 97y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Oddschecker Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.30

Form: PU4-23 C BF

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
2-4 at Haydock and firmly in contention when he unseated six out in this race last year, on his only attempt at this sort of trip; 2lb out of the handicap today but he stuck to his task when placed over about 3m2f on first two starts this season, so he'll probably stay, and the first-time headgear might spark something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Famous Bridge

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

The way he asserted in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft) last February made this race look an appealing proposition, but he faded badly when it was put to the test and later lost the Haydock race due to a banned substance; this season has been very disappointing but at least he's 9lb lower than 12 months ago and his yard has been in great form.

25/1

7th

14

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Famous Bridge

10st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Very useful handicapper over regulation fences on his day and a very respectable sixth in last year's Ultima (3m1f, good to soft) at this meeting; won't fail through lack of stamina but has been out of form this season and makes cross-country debut from 11lb out of the handicap.

50/1

7th

2

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Famous Bridge

11st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

Useful over fences, first past the post in the Grand National Trial at Haydock (disqualified due to banned substance) in February and far from disgraced in the Ultima at Cheltenham the following month; having his first hurdles outing since April 2022 here, so carries risks, but he could be dangerous off his lower mark if fully tuned up.

11/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 51-422

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Her only attempt at a marathon distance saw her crack from two out in last year's NH Chase at Cheltenham (3m6f, heavy) and others also proved stronger late on over 3m2f at Kelso on reappearance; however, she's usually shaped at about 3m, including latest start, as if stamina is a strong suit; well worth another chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Apple Away

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Consistent sort who won this two years ago (soft); Panic Attack has better form and she's run just once this season, but that was a solid effort when third of five at Carlisle in November over an inadequate 2m4f (good to soft), and she can give a good account.

6/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 133-11

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row last winter and successful this season when stepping up in trip at both Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) and Chepstow (near 3m7f, soft); latter was the Welsh National in which he was always prominent and had enough in hand to beat the strong-finishing Jubilee Express; the big problem today is his 12lb higher mark, including 6lb out of the handicap, but there's lots to like about his stamina, attitude and improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Val Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Last season was one to remember, winning the Welsh National and later second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; 0-4 this campaign but it's been anything but a washout and he should be dangerous off this mark, for all that he's made his name over further.

4/1

4th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Val Dancer

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Won last season's Welsh National (extended 3m6f, soft) off 3lb lower and second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; near that form on second start this term, before a lesser show (weak in the market) in the Surrey National at Lingfield; needs to be back at his peak and there are mixed messages.

8/1

4th

4

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Val Dancer

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Mel Rowley

Bettered underwhelming seasonal debut when placed over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, soft) last month and remains only 4lb higher than when winning last season's Welsh National (3m6f, soft); high on the list.

6/1

Form: 1623-0

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Looks best on softer than good; second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March and third in the 4m Scottish National next time; last of 12 in a hurdle race on reappearance four weeks ago, which he's likely to leave way behind him today but he needs overall improvement from 5lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

17

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground, on which he was third in this race in 2024 and had for the first time since over fences when third of 16 off today's mark to Isaac Des Obeaux in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4m2f) on latest outing; blinkered on last two outings; each-way claims.

11/1

3rd

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Git Maker

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

The key to him is soft ground which he had when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m); hasn't had his favoured conditions since then over fences and, with the ground drying out (officially good to soft) in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time, he ran surprisingly well to be a close fifth, keeping on; the first-time blinkers fitted there, which did him no harm, are retained; chance.

8/1

5th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Git Maker

10st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

10yo whose form was patchy in 2025 and he was never going well when pulled up in the Welsh National in December (3m6f, good to soft); however, today's forecast soft ground could help and he's 4lb lower than when third in the 2024 Scottish National (4m, soft); not written off in first-time blinkers.

9/1

Form: 48-275

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Not at all discredited in the 3m2f Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and she managed fifth of 17 in the Welsh National, albeit 17l behind Val Dancer; neither of those matched her best show from last season when close second in the Classic at Warwick (3m5f, soft) but she is now 2lb lower than in that race, so is well treated on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

Form: /1F-1P C BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 164

Form & Verdict
Tremendous 5-7 record at Haydock includes his wins in last two runnings of Grade 1 Betfair Chase; it was a shock therefore when he ran so poorly here four weeks ago, something surely amiss; needs to rebound from that and also needs to prove his stamina, having fallen in the 2023 Irish National on sole attempt at this sort of trip; best results on soft or heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Royale Pagaille

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Five-time course winner including this race in 2021 and 2022 and the Betfair Chase in 2023 and 2024; reappeared with fine second in that Grade 1 here 56 days ago (good to soft); struggled last season after his reappearance win but this 12yo could have a big say if backing up his latest effort.

13/2

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

2

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Royale Pagaille

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

All wins on soft or heavy; he's been a class act at Haydock but did not show it in two visits there this year, including on his second attempt at a marathon trip, and his sixth in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was a remote one; some conspicuous negatives.

80/1

Form: 4321-2 CD BF

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Snatched a win over C&D on final start last term; co-favourite, close up entering the straight under Dylan Johnston for Welsh National at Chepstow (near 3m7f, again on soft) on reappearance but made serious inroads on Val Dancer only on run-in and had to settle for second; 12lb higher today, including 8lb out of the handicap, but that latest run was his fourth improved effort in a row and it looks as if none will see out the trip better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Jubilee Express

11st 10lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

Below form on sole jumps start on heavy; finished strongest when second in the Welsh National at Chepstow (extended 3m6f, soft) in December 2024; won the Trial there in December this season, which is far and away the best of his last four starts but the ground was surely not soft enough for him when he flopped as favourite in the Welsh National last time; major player if this is one of his better days.

11/4

7th

10

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Jubilee Express

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

disputed lead early, in touch with leaders 3rd

13/2

2nd

12

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Jubilee Express

10st 4lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

7yo who is narrowly the most lightly raced horse in this field; raised his game upped to 3m5f and an extended 3m4f on soft on last two starts last term, snatching a win at Haydock last time; up another 4lb but gives the very strong impression he will keep on galloping at this trip as well.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: U19-1P C

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Mightily impressive with a wide-margin win at Wetherby (3m, soft) last winter and same again at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft) in November this term; however, tailed-off favourite in this race in 2023 and in the Classic Chase at Warwick last term, with another major failure at this sort of trip in the Welsh National on latest outing, so there are very mixed messages.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Fontaine Collonges

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, slow jump 1st, towards rear 2nd

33/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Fontaine Collonges

10st 11lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

held up in rear, not fluent 2nd

16/1

2

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Fontaine Collonges

11st 12lb

T: Venetia Williams

Mightily impressive with a wide-margin win at Wetherby (3m, soft) last Christmas and same again at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft; from Monbeg Genius) five weeks ago; her only run in between is a worry, though, as she weakened quickly from seven out in the Classic Chase at Warwick, and that was her second major failure to prove her stamina at about 3m4f/3m5f; throw in an 8lb rise since Haydock and some doubts creep in.

10/1

Form: 219-34 CD BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Shaped well before winning this race last year in first-time cheekpieces (kept since) on heavy ground, but he does not need the mud; third of 18 in the Troytown at Navan (3m, yielding) in November was another big run, followed by a lesser show in the Thyestes at Gowran Park last month (24l fourth of 18); the chief worry is that he's 11lb higher than in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

14

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Yeah Man

10st 9lb

J: Conor Stone-Walsh

T: Gavin Cromwell

No ground worries; best winning day in the 2024 Grand National Trial at Haydock and he's been placed in last two editions of the Troytown in November; those were over fences but he has a much lower hurdles mark and was a close second to Duke Silver in the Leopardstown qualifier; good chance he'll be outspeeded in this but dangerous if he turns for home in contention.

20/1

12

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 0y

15:30 Gowran Park

Yeah Man

11st 3lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Won the 2024 Grand National Trial at Haydock; fine effort in third behind Stuzzikini in the 2024 Troytown and went one place better behind Answer To Kayf in this season's edition; 143-rated chaser could finish only second from a mark of 118 in a handicap hurdle at Christmas; however, the run kept him ticking over, and he could be a big player.

10/1

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

16:15 Limerick

Yeah Man

11st 8lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

The 2024 Grand National Trial winner at Haydock; fine effort in third behind Stuzzikini in the Troytown at Navan last November; lost form later in the campaign; plenty to find with Weveallebeencaught on Kim Muir running.

16/1

Non-runners

Where It All Began

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.20
Straight Forecast £23.63
Tricast £162.53
Trifecta £292.90

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Yeah Man

SPOTLIGHT:

Apple Away

The Star:

Jubilee Express

RP RATINGS:

Galia Des Liteaux

LAMBOURN:

Git Maker

Telegraph:

Where It All Began

POSTDATA:

Apple Away

The Guardian:

Apple Away

The Sun:

Apple Away

The Times:

Yeah Man

Daily Mail:

Yeah Man

D Express:

Yeah Man

Daily Mirror:

Yeah Man

Daily Record:

Jubilee Express