February 21 / 16.05 Kempton

16.05

Good To Soft

“Join Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £30” Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £20812
  • 2m 4f 110y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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“Join Ladbrokes Bet £5 Get £30” Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 16-235 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner, including at Listed level; ran well behind smart horses in two 2m4f novices at Cheltenham and was running well on handicap debut there until a mistake two out halted his momentum; remains capable of a lot better no doubt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Califet En Vol

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Soundly beaten fourth at Kempton (2m4f, good) last month but mistakes didn't help; won there (2m4f, good to soft) two starts ago and he can be in the mix if cutting out the errors; probably okay on soft ground.

5/1

4th

3

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Califet En Vol

11st 11lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Two hurdle wins, the latest in Listed company; has taken well to fences and he looked a good prospect when winning in pleasing style over C&D (good to soft; acts on most surfaces) last month; a 5lb higher mark should be within reach; solid claims.

9/4

9/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-2221 CD

Last run: 56 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won a C&D hunter chase last season from the front, as is his way; last two races have also been here over 3m, jumping better than his rivals the last time when 4lb lower; looks sure to go well for a long way back at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Viroflay

12st 0lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Has had no trouble in transferring his useful hunter chase form to handicaps, last season winning at Kempton (3m, good) and runner-up there (2m4f, good to soft) in February; his Topham run can be forgiven and, while he might be better going right-handed, he could be tough to catch around here.

13/8

17th

14

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Viroflay

10st 9lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Useful hunter chaser last season and he's transferred that form to handicaps, winning at Kempton (3m, good) in December and runner-up there (2m4f, good to soft) in February; he may be better going right-handed but otherwise this front-runner could prove well suited by today's test.

20/1

2nd

3

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Viroflay

11st 9lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Won a C&D hunter chase last season from the front, as is his way; last two races have also been here over 3m, jumping better than his rivals the last time when 4lb lower; looks sure to go well for a long way back at 2m4f.

9/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 5-1542 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Has his quirks but talented and his win in this last year was the first of three victories at this track (2m2f-2m4f); he's close to a career-high mark, off which he went close last month at Ascot (2m5f, soft) despite looking disinterested early doors; a danger to all.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Bad

11st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful handicap chaser at up to 2m5f, albeit quirky and having saved his winning in this sphere for Kempton; admittedly right up to best in Ascot contest on penultimate start; last two efforts suggest this new trip is worth exploring but he comes with some risk, especially in such a competitive field.

20/1

3rd

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Bad

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Has his quirks but talented and his win in this last year was the first of three victories at this track (2m2f-2m4f); he's close to a career-high mark, off which he went close last month at Ascot (2m5f, soft) despite looking disinterested early doors; a danger to all.

9/4

2nd

4

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 13y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Bad

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Wasn't going from some way out when favourite behind Etalon here last time but he'd previously won comfortably at Kempton (2m2f, good) and run creditably in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) where the hill proved too much; still relatively young; 5lb better off with Etalon and could turn the tables.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: -52913

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Has his share of off days but the new cheekpieces floated his boat when making all at Ascot before Christmas (2m3f, good to soft) and again when third there a month ago, perhaps stretched by the 2m5f on soft; off the same mark as that day he has to be feared.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:45 Newton Abbot

Etalon

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fitting of cheekpieces sparked a revival in December, when landing a fifth success over fences at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft); followed that up with a career-best RPR when third off this mark there (2m5f) the following month; respected but he'll need to leave behind a lesser effort last time.

7/2

Form: 25-423

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Free-going front-runner who was a little too keen for his own good when weakening into a 10l third at Cheltenham four weeks ago (2m4f, soft); the ground might not be quite so slow this afternoon and that would help him; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

13

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Javert Allen

10st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Below par at Kempton (2m4f) in February last time but he's run well in defeat otherwise this season, including when fourth over C&D (good to soft) on his reappearance in a race that worked out extremely well; this front-runner could make a bold bid in first-time cheekpieces back at 2m.

15/2

5th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Javert Allen

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Free-going front-runner who was a little too keen for his own good when weakening into a 10l third at Cheltenham four weeks ago (2m4f, soft); the ground might not be quite so slow this afternoon and that would help him; respected.

7/2

3rd

11

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Javert Allen

10st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Front-runner who usually jumps soundly; reappearance fourth at Aintree worked out well and he ran a cracker when second at Newbury (again 2m, good to soft) later in November; now steps up in distance and his pedigree gives real hope that the increased test of stamina will suit; interesting.

11/2

Form: 415-P0 CD

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Has some strong handicap form to his name and this isn't quite so demanding as Cheltenham's feature 2m4f early-season handicaps; he is now 11 and the handicapper hasn't been overly generous is dropping him just 3lb for those heavy defeats, but unwise to put a line through him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Es Perfecto

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Has more to prove than the other 11yos in this field, with form this season suggesting that age may be catching up with him and virtually all of his chase outings at 2m4f; it remains to be seen whether this longer trip sparks a resurgence.

10/1

6th

7

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Es Perfecto

11st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Has some strong handicap form to his name and this isn't quite so demanding as Cheltenham's feature 2m4f early-season handicaps; he is now 11 and the handicapper hasn't been overly generous is dropping him just 3lb for those heavy defeats, but unwise to put a line through him.

25/1

5th

18

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Es Perfecto

10st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

in touch with leaders

33/1

Form: 351586 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Has done all her winning on good ground so any rain would be a negative, which counted against her in a Listed chase for mares last time; on a tempting mark with Harry Atkins taking off 7lb if she was on her game (wasn't the case the time before at Ascot).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:18 Kempton

Shakeyatailfeather

10st 9lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Dan Skelton

Three chase wins at 2m1f and 2m3f (all on good), the latest in October, but she hasn't lived up to that form since and was a long way behind Califet En Vol over C&D recently; needs revival.

33/1

7th

9

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

16:05 Kempton

Shakeyatailfeather

10st 10lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Has done all her winning on good ground so any rain would be a negative, which counted against her in a Listed chase for mares last time; on a tempting mark with Harry Atkins taking off 7lb if she was on her game (wasn't the case the time before at Ascot).

20/1

6th

6

5th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 1

14:00 Huntingdon

Shakeyatailfeather

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fairly useful handicap chaser who scored three times last year, most recently at Kelso in October; always behind at Ascot latest start; place possibilities on these terms but ideally needs drying ground, having done her winning on good.

14/1

Form: 17/21/ D

Last run: 1151 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Has a mammoth absence to overcome but he did beat subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Unexpected Party in a novice chase at Leicester back in late 2022 (2m4f, good; a winner on good to soft); the market may suggest whether he's still capable of that level of form on debut for Olly Murphy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

Loughderg Rocco

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Very lightly raced but fairly useful hurdles/chase winner for Laura Morgan in 2021/22; just two runs since back from huge absence for this yard and not totally disgraced when seventh over 3m at Ffos Las (soft) in March, prominent to three out; had wind surgery since; tongue-tie now added.

8/1

7th

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

16:00 Ffos Las

Loughderg Rocco

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Made very promising start to chasing career for Laura Morgan in 2022 but, following a mammoth absence, struggled to get competitive (albeit in a good race) on last month's stable debut; sports refitted cheekpieces here; current ability very hard to gauge.

16/1

Form: 419604 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Outclassed behind Haiti Couleurs at Newbury recently but that was his fourth successive quiet run since winning an intermediate chase at Newton Abbot in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Riskintheground

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Successful on this card two years ago; campaigned mostly over 2m4f/2m5f but saw out 3m well at Perth (good) most recently, adding to his Grade 2 handicap success in April and taking chase record to 9-30; better than ever and commands respect.

9/2

1st

2

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

Riskintheground

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good ground is key to him, though good to soft is acceptable; after signs of a revival at the Cheltenham Festival he duly delivered in a competitive 2m4f handicap at Haydock, winning cosily despite narrow margin of victory; the 4lb rise seemed generous and when beaten at Uttoxeter he bumped into the talented Glengouly on a good day; all his best form is at shorter, so stamina would be the principal concern.

100/30

2nd

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Riskintheground

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good ground is the key to him; his form had nosedived but he was running much better when hampered late on at the Cheltenham Festival and then came good at Haydock (2m4f, good), prevailing only narrowly but under a confident ride in a strong race (he also won it the season before when staged at Cheltenham); a 4lb rise seems very generous.

11/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.10
Straight Forecast £10.84
Tricast £26.60
Trifecta £35.10

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Bad

SPOTLIGHT:

Califet En Vol

RP RATINGS:

Javert Allen

The Guardian:

Etalon

The Sun:

Viroflay

The Star:

Es Perfecto

LAMBOURN:

Califet En Vol

D Express:

Califet En Vol

POSTDATA:

Javert Allen

The Times:

Bad

Telegraph:

Bad

Daily Mail:

Bad

Daily Mirror:

Bad

Daily Record:

Bad