October 26 / 13.30 Fontwell

13.30

Good To Soft

Pertemps Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £12146.3
  • 3m 1f 210y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Pertemps Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: P-0624 C BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Defied this mark when unchallenged at Wincanton (3m1f, good) last October but he's not matched that form since and was disappointing when favourite at Chepstow 16 days ago; bit to prove and needs new headgear to give him a boost.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Lord Accord

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago when back from a break; this 11yo is back in much calmer waters today and he's a player if rediscovering the good front-running form he was showing on good/good to soft ground in the autumn when these blinkers first went on.

15/2

24

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Lord Accord

10st 10lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Neil Mulholland

Course winner who scored in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October before 11l second at Ascot (3m5f, good); this 11yo returns from a break today and may find this too competitive.

50/1

OUR TIP

9/4

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2/651-

Last run: 247 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-6 over hurdles; raised his form to a new level on chase debut when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, heavy) in February; 5lb higher on his return but he still looks feasibly treated on that latest performance and is open to more progress over fences; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Largy Poet

11st 9lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Paul Nicholls

Inconsistent and pulled up in first-time blinkers at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) in February; however, he's back in cheekpieces today in which he kept on for second of six at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy) in January; versatile ground-wise and this sort of trip may yet suit; not discounted.

12/1

1

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Largy Poet

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

Won the novice handicap (3m, heavy) on this card last year on chase debut; October reappearance was better than his three subsequent efforts but there was some renewed encouragement under Freddie Keighley at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy; 11l second of six) last time, including for this second crack at a marathon trip; blinkers replace usual cheekpieces.

9/2

2nd

1

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Largy Poet

12st 1lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

First (3m, heavy) and second in his first two chases before pulling up in a competitive race at Ascot; worrying that he didn't show too much spark back over hurdles here on Boxing Day; still, as an assured stayer who will handle conditions he's hard to dismiss.

6/1

11/2

Form: P41-23 D

Last run: 149 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Won a hunter chase at Ludlow (3m. good to soft) in April before a close second over 4m at Cheltenham on his penultimate run in the spring; now returns to a handicap but he's still lightly raced for his age and he has won when fresh in the past; needs watching in market on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

Jefferys Cross

12st 4lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Beaten under 1l in this race last year (Myth Buster pulled up); won't mind the move from Cheltenham given his strong body of work around sharp tracks (including 2-2 in hurdles races here, albeit losing one for interference), and nice break since hard-fought Newbury win; ground fine.

Evs

1st

3

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

17:16 Newbury

Jefferys Cross

12st 6lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Has a solid record in hunter chases and he chased home last week's Cheltenham hero Barton Snow (did win by 12l) before making light work of Java Point at Southwell (3m, soft; cheekpieces returned); in the mix.

9/2

1st

4

2nd Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:15 Southwell

Jefferys Cross

12st 2lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Consistent sort whose record in hunter chases (3m-4m) reads 1232; beaten by main market rival at Ludlow returned to this sphere last time (treated for post-race ataxia); solid and leading claims.

5/4

Form: PP3P4- D

Last run: 225 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in three of her five runs last season but her third at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in December was a good effort and she finished fourth of 16 in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last time; resumes off a dangerous mark and she's one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

My Silver Lining

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Emma Lavelle

On a losing run but she was second in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock (3m1f, soft) and her bid for the Surrey National (3m5f, soft) ended early after a bad mistake; this is her sort of race and she's effective in the mud.

5/1

11

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

My Silver Lining

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Emma Lavelle

Not as good as she was but ended last year with some good efforts, most recently when second in Tommy Whittle at Haydock (3m1f, soft), and this move back up in trip is sure to suit.

10/1

4th

9

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

My Silver Lining

10st 13lb

J: James Best

T: Emma Lavelle

Pulled up in three of her five runs last season but her third at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) in December was a good effort and she finished fourth of 16 in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last time; resumes off a dangerous mark and she's one to keep an eye on for in-form yard.

7/1

Form: 12347-

Last run: 188 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) in May 2024 but was well held in a Plumpton handicap (2m4f) in his final run last season; still lightly raced but this looks a tough starting point over fences and he has stamina to prove at this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Illegal dAinay

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) in May 2024 but was well held in a Plumpton handicap (2m4f) in his final run last season; still lightly raced but this looks a tough starting point over fences and he has stamina to prove at this new trip.

11/2

7th

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 2

15:45 Plumpton

Illegal dAinay

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.

33/1

7th

8

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 2

15:45 Plumpton

Illegal dAinay

11st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing.

33/1

Form: 1/251- CD

Last run: 247 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row once the cheekpieces were added early last year and he was better than ever last season, winning the Devon National (3m6f) on latest start; only 1lb higher today but this is a big drop back in trip and he's raced on only soft or heavy going for the last two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Art Decco

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won by 9l over C&D (soft) in December, matching his gutsy win in this race last year (heavy) as a career best; one problem is that both of those were off 6lb lower than today; another is that he showed little in the Surrey National last time, but he needs plenty of respect back here.

5/1

2

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Art Decco

11st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Showed career-best form when winning by 9l at Exeter (3m6f, soft) last month and is now 6-15 over fences; should be fine on this left-handed track but recent 7lb rise asks quite a lot of him.

7/1

6th

5

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Art Decco

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won three in a row once the cheekpieces were added early last year and he was better than ever last season, winning the Devon National (3m6f) on latest start; only 1lb higher today but this is a big drop back in trip and he's raced on only soft or heavy going for the last two years.

100/30

Form: P13-63

Last run: 99 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

15:55 Market Rasen

Bhaloo

11st 8lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Dual winning chaser who geared up for a summer campaign when runner-up at Uttoxeter (3m, good) last month; third in the Summer Plate over C&D last summer and connections will be hopeful of a good run here before his main target.

9/2

2nd

7

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Bhaloo

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Seemingly boosted by first-time cheekpieces when placed in Summer Plate at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last year but looked out of sorts when pulled up twice in November and it's hard to predict whether this will be a going day.

14/1

Form: 2754P-

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
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: 12214- D

Last run: 259 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

29th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 2

16:50 Ascot

Copperhead

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unseated rider (still prominent) at Sandown in January when seeking a second success in the veterans final; battled his way back to pip Gabbys Cross for a Newbury win (3m2f) four weeks ago and, although 5lb rise takes him to his highest mark since 2022, this sterling character needs major respect.

2/1

1st

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Copperhead

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unseated rider three out, having still been prominent, at Sandown last time when bidding for a second success in the final of this series; remains on the last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in good form and completes the course.

12/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Copperhead

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form: 71PP-P D

Last run: 173 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who ended last year with an emphatic success in the Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft); looks interesting on that form but he's been pulled up in three subsequent runs and needs a major revival after another break; reapplied cheekpieces replace blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Bretney

11st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Front-runner who ended last year with an emphatic success in the Borders National at Kelso (4m, soft); looks interesting on that form but he's been pulled up in three subsequent runs and needs a major revival after another break; reapplied cheekpieces replace blinkers.

16/1

4

6th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:15 Fakenham

Bretney

10st 12lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

raced lazily, in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, dropped to last 2nd, bumped 3rd, detached when pulled up before 10th

14/1

4

6th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:15 Fakenham

Bretney

10st 12lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

raced lazily, in touch with leaders, not fluent 1st, dropped to last 2nd, bumped 3rd, detached when pulled up before 10th

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.10
Straight Forecast £28.79
Trifecta £155.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Largy Poet

Telegraph:

Art Decco

TOPSPEED:

My Silver Lining

The Times:

Illegal d'Ainay

D Express:

Largy Poet

The Sun:

Largy Poet

Daily Record:

Art Decco

POSTDATA:

My Silver Lining