February 14 / 15.00 Ascot

15.00

Soft

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

  • Prize money: £56950
  • 2m 7f 185y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Sunny

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: P-11P2 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Record of 11P2 since wearing visor features two sound performances over C&D (good/soft), latest behind today's Reynoldstown contender The Jukebox Kid; 3lb out of weights but still respected in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Montregard

10st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tom Lacey

Half-brother to top-class Protektorat; surprise withdrawal from last weekend's bet365 Gold Cup due to ground, having made notable progress before that on similar good ground in 3m Ascot handicaps, winning twice including latest in premier handicap in February; potentially a big player.

10/1

14/1

  • Place: £5.60

Form: 3/30-8

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced since 2022; soundly beaten in last two appearances, taking chase record to 0-9, and needs to prove he retains peak ability; 4lb out of weights; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

20

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Gericault Roque

10st 12lb

J: Mr B Lawless

T: David Pipe

10yo who has been lightly raced, with mixed results, since finishing second in the 2022 Ultima here (3m1f, good to soft); however, he returned to form when second at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month in first-time cheekpieces (retained) and can be in the mix if backing up that effort.

20/1

2nd

11

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Gericault Roque

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Very lightly raced since 2022; soundly beaten in last two appearances, taking chase record to 0-9, and needs to prove he retains peak ability; 4lb out of weights; cheekpieces added.

14/1

8th

3

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 6f 50y

Class 3

16:05 Windsor

Gericault Roque

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Ran pretty well when third of six on this card last year (3m, soft) after mammoth absence; this 10yo was well beaten at the Cheltenham Festival on sole run since but is not ruled out now 5lb lower than 12 months ago.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: P/1-42 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-3 over 2m5f at Ascot, all in the same November race; showed he stays 3m, at least under sharp conditions, at Kempton (good) most recently; this is a stiffer test at the trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Your Darling

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Most of five chase wins have come on decent ground, including last time when taking 3m Ludlow handicap (just 2 finishers) having been dropped in grade following some good runs in better-class handicaps; seems suited by going right-handed; respected.

12/1

1st

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Your Darling

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Showed he stays 3m when only just missing out at Kempton in January (good) where he would probably have won but for fluffing the last fence; another good effort at Ascot (3m) since, when coming from a long way off the pace to take third; strong contender off his competitive mark.

15/8

3rd

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Your Darling

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 2-3 over 2m5f at Ascot, all in the same November race; showed he stays 3m, at least under sharp conditions, at Kempton (good) most recently; this is a stiffer test at the trip.

8/1

Form: 40P-31

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Readily opened his chase account in Leicester event (2m6f, good to soft) last time; may build on that success and show further progress over fences; has form at 3m; enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Jipcot

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well beaten in the Plate last month but Cheltenham may not be his track; comfortably made all in small field at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) in January and led into the straight at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, only to weaken; also effective on soft; could be involved.

9/1

13th

16

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jipcot

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four hurdle wins; made just a so-so stab at chasing in late 2023 but he was footsure when making all at Leicester (about 2m6f, good to soft) in January and perhaps the 3m trip counted against him when trying to justify an 8lb rise at Ascot since; should have more to come over fences at some stage but this looks a tough call; yard also runs Peaky Boy.

14/1

Form: -68332

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Has posted consistent efforts over 3m of late but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in trip, especially when conditions are testing; yet to win beyond an extended 2m6f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

26

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Hunter Legend

10st 9lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Reserve; Venetia Williams and Lucy Turner combined to win this at 40-1 in 2022 and this fellow was in pretty good heart over 3m this winter; however, today's stiffer test of stamina poses a question and he was soundly beaten at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last time; wears first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

5th

8

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Hunter Legend

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Has posted consistent efforts over 3m of late but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in trip, especially when conditions are testing; yet to win beyond an extended 2m6f.

14/1

2nd

6

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Hunter Legend

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Has done his winning at up to 2m6f; not disgraced over 3m the last twice but gives the impression he ideally needs a drop back in distance, at least when conditions are testing; strong suspicion he's going to be outstayed.

10/1

Form: 1P-143

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Versatile sort who scored over 2m4f on reappearance and has performed respectably over marathon trips since; faces a stiffer task from 4lb out of the handicap upped in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Invincible Nao

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Versatile sort who won over 2m4f here on reappearance and has performed respectably over marathon trips since; stiff task from 4lb out of handicap last time; not ruled out back off proper mark.

8/1

Form: 24-F11 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown (good) most recently, taking record over 3m to 2-3; in top form aged 11 and still unexposed at this distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Nocte Volatus

10st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Justified favouritism in the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown (good) most recently, taking record over 3m to 2-3; in top form aged 11 and still unexposed at this distance.

13/2

Form: 15-347 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 10st 4lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Successful in two legs of the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Series but came up short in the Final won by Nocte Volatus; hasn't won a conventional race since 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Credo

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Behind stablemate Blackjack Magic when seventh in final of this veterans' series at Sandown in January and was soundly beaten in major Ascot handicap last month but her first two runs this season were very respectable and she's now 3lb lower than when winning this race in 2025.

7/2

8th

7

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Credo

10st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Successful in two legs of the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Series but came up short in the Final won by Nocte Volatus; hasn't won a conventional race since 2023.

20/1

5th

4

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Credo

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Anthony Honeyball

In-form mare who won four-runner veterans' chase fairly comfortably at Carlisle (3m, good) a week ago and is now 2-3 since fitted with a visor; has 6lb penalty to carry today but is respected in her current mood.

2/1

Form: 2-784F D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

14:35 Uttoxeter

Joyeux Machin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Appreciated eased in grade at Bangor (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago, winning readily by 10l; contests deeper race here but probably still on workable mark after 5lb rise, and quicker ground also suits.

9/2

1st

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Joyeux Machin

12st 2lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Exposed ex-Irish gelding who has yet to score for Dan Skelton (0-10); however, he has been contesting stronger races and was going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft; fine on good) in January; his subsequent Ascot run needs forgiving but that was a Class 1 race.

5/2

9th

6

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Joyeux Machin

10st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Record of 0-9 for current yard but he ran well over hurdles on this card last year; still going nicely in clear lead when falling six out in major handicap chase at Doncaster (3m, soft) most recently; shortlisted.

7/2

Form: 2416-6 CD

Last run: 90 days

W: 12st 0lb

14 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Useful for a long time but has gained last three wins in veterans' events and, having turned 14 since November reappearance, can be opposed off current mark in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Sam Brown

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

The oldest of these veterans, being a 14yo, and bare form this term leaves a question mark over whether he retains the useful ability that has been present for a long time; however, won this race off 2lb higher last year (soft) and has a good chance if back on song.

9/1

10th

1

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Sam Brown

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Useful for a long time but has gained last three wins in veterans' events and, having turned 14 since November reappearance, can be opposed off current mark in this field.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2PP-4P CD

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Two attempts in this race comprise a success in 2024 and close second last year, both off higher marks; however, has a doubt over current form and needs to stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Threeunderthrufive

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Two attempts in this race comprise a success in 2024 and close second last year, both off higher marks; however, has a doubt over current form and needs to stage a revival.

10/1

3

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Threeunderthrufive

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Fourth in the 2023 Scottish National (4m, good); commendable efforts most starts since, for instance beaten a nose by Victtorino at Ascot (3m, good; 1lb higher today) in February, but this race last year was not one of them and neither was the Grand National three weeks ago.

16/1

3

26th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Threeunderthrufive

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Fourth in the 2023 Scottish National (4m, good); commendable efforts most starts since, for instance beaten a nose by Victtorino at Ascot (3m, good; 1lb higher today) in February, but this race last year was not one of them and neither was the Grand National three weeks ago.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £83.10
Straight Forecast £60.24
Tricast £430.45
Trifecta £714.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Montregard

RP RATINGS:

Jipcot

Telegraph:

Joyeux Machin

Daily Record:

Nocte Volatus

POSTDATA:

Your Darling

The Times:

Montregard

The Guardian:

Montregard

Daily Mirror:

Montregard

The Sun:

Montregard

TOPSPEED:

Jipcot

The Star:

Jipcot

Daily Mail:

Joyeux Machin

D Express:

Joyeux Machin