February 27 / 17.05 Doncaster

17.05

Good To Soft

Virgin Bet A Good Bet Veterans’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 7f 214y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Virgin Bet A Good Bet Veterans’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.40
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 3-3U43 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won at Newcastle (2m7f, soft) last January and he's now 2lb lower; he's shown hints of spark among his three starts this season but needs something extra if he's to return to winning ways today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

If Not For Dylan

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Thorough stayer who made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February and rebounded from a lesser effort when third at Perth (3m, good) last month; has never run here before but is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip.

6/1

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

If Not For Dylan

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Disappointing at Haydock last time (3m1f, good) but successful at Doncaster before that (3m, good to soft); each-way chance.

9/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

If Not For Dylan

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Veteran who retains enthusiasm, and he jumped well and made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February, but he's back up 6lb and probably in a stronger race here.

6/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: -61241 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 7lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2024 (soft) and he's been better than ever this season following a stable switch, with wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) and Catterick (3m1f, good to soft; last time); back up to a career-high mark and he's back up in grade but he could yet have more to offer for this yard; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Ladronne

11st 12lb

J: Miss Venetia Thompson

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Veteran who has looked as good as ever for his new stable this season, winning twice (2m5f/3m1f); probably doesn't have much margin for error off current mark but reverts to chasing after a respectable hurdle run and is suited by this C&D.

3/1

5th

10

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 4

16:22 Wetherby

Ladronne

11st 4lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo who has been better than ever over fences this season following a stable switch, with wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) and Catterick (3m1f, good to soft); this is a rare run over hurdles but he has a lower mark in this sphere, in which he scored twice in 2020; likes it here; one to consider.

8/1

2nd

7

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Ladronne

11st 7lb

J: Jack Power

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won this in 2024 (soft) and he's been better than ever this season following a stable switch, with wins at Sedgefield (2m5f, soft) and Catterick (3m1f, good to soft; last time); back up to a career-high mark and he's back up in grade but he could yet have more to offer for this yard; respected.

3/1

25/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 4P-46P C

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
He's tumbled down the weights but he lost his way for Paul Nicholls and there's been no revival this winter for his new stable; hopes are pinned on wind surgery prompting a transformation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Stratagem

10st 13lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Mickey Bowen

Benefited from a patient ride when wide-margin winner of two-finisher contest at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) last month and has performed well twice since, more recently when staying-on third here (3m1f, good) on Saturday; will be fine stamina-wise if he makes a quick reappearance.

7/1

3rd

6

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

Stratagem

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Useful chaser at his best for Paul Nicholls; in good form this spring for his current yard since undergoing wind surgery, scoring at Sedgefield (3m2f) before finishing a good fourth over 3m6f at Perth when set a lot to do; can go well eased 1lb here.

5/1

4th

8

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Stratagem

11st 2lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Not as good as he was but has turned a corner following wind surgery and came home clear at Sedgefield (3m2f, good); that race fell apart in behind but he would probably have won anyway; raised 8lb but had become very well handicapped.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 443P-P CD

Last run: 76 days

W: 12st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Winless since December 2023 and pulled up over C&D in December on sole run this term; however, he may have needed that outing and is on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; has won here three times, including in these reapplied cheekpieces, and is not ruled out; the tongue-tie is a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Erne River

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nick Kent

Still runs well now and again but this 11yo is not as good as he was and become inconsistent.

16/1

4th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Erne River

11st 8lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Nick Kent

Ran well for a long way when fourth at Doncaster (3m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in February and remains well handicapped but this steadily regressive 11yo has become inconsistent, and others appeal more.

4/1

4th

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Erne River

12st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Nick Kent

Winless since December 2023 and pulled up over C&D in December on sole run this term; however, he may have needed that outing and is on a handy mark on last season's best efforts; has won here three times, including in these reapplied cheekpieces, and is not ruled out; the tongue-tie is a first.

10/1

Form: 112-32

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row early last year (2m4f-2m6f, good/good to soft) before keeping on well for second over 3m1f at Cheltenham (good); returned from break with good second at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month and she's high on the list today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Sainte Doctor

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Won three in a row early last year (2m4f-2m6f, good/good to soft) before keeping on well for second over 3m1f at Cheltenham (good); returned from break with good second at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) last month and she's high on the list today.

11/4

2nd

1

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 44y

Class 2

14:40 Fakenham

Sainte Doctor

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Neil Mulholland

Five-time chase winner (good/good to soft; once over C&D); absent since very respectable third at Aintree (2m4f, good) last May but this race is easier and she features prominently in calculations.

11/4

3rd

5

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Sainte Doctor

11st 2lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Back in prime form towards end of last season, winning three in a row (2m4f-2m6f) before creditable second in valuable series final at Cheltenham (3m1f, good); ought to be right in the thick of things again here.

9/4

Form: FP/0-P

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his best form for Willie Mullins and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he struggled in 2024 on his final two runs for that yard and, after missing all of last year, was pulled up at 100-1 on last month's stable debut; a dramatic turnaround is necessary.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Chavez

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Very well handicapped on some of his old form for Willie Mullins but, following a layoff, was soundly beaten on his two starts for Venetia Williams (both 3m); probably best watched at present.

20/1

6th

2

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Chavez

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Well handicapped on his best form for Willie Mullins and he's one to watch in the betting; however, he struggled in 2024 on his final two runs for that yard and, after missing all of last year, was pulled up at 100-1 on last month's stable debut; a dramatic turnaround is necessary.

20/1

Form: 8-618P D

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten/pulled up towards end of last year on final two runs for Fergal O'Brien; however, perhaps a change of scenery and first run in a veterans' chase will prompt a revival from this 10yo, who is on a reduced mark; interesting on yard debut, all the more so if strong in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Autonomous Cloud

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won three times over fences for Fergal O'Brien; beaten favourite on his stable debut at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February but has now dropped to a career-low mark.

4/1

7th

8

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Autonomous Cloud

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Soundly beaten/pulled up towards end of last year on final two runs for Fergal O'Brien; however, perhaps a change of scenery and first run in a veterans' chase will prompt a revival from this 10yo, who is on a reduced mark; interesting on yard debut, all the more so if strong in the betting.

13/2

1st

3

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

Autonomous Cloud

12st 0lb

J: Mr Harry O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

Thorough stayer; seemingly on the downgrade now but ran well for a long way when eighth in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' and probably found the good ground too lively when below that form at Cheltenham (2m4f; first-time cheekpieces) four weeks ago; can make his presence felt here.

3/1

Form: 351142 D

Last run: 98 days

W: 11st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won three times last year (3m/2m7f, good to soft/good) and finished close up on final two outings in the autumn; in the mix if returning from a break in similarly good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:30 Ludlow

Almazhar Garde

12st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and has failed to complete in his last two starts but this is a drop back in grade and he went close at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November; looks interesting on that form and he made all when winning this race last year.

9/1

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Almazhar Garde

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Not the force of old and his second at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November came in a two-horse race; followed that with a poor run in a veterans' chase at Doncaster; others appeal more.

20/1

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Almazhar Garde

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Won three times last year (3m/2m7f, good to soft/good) and finished close up on final two outings in the autumn; in the mix if returning from a break in similarly good form.

6/1

Form: P11PP- CD

Last run: 317 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won this last year (good) and followed up at Warwick (3m5f, good) a week later; also effective on good to soft ground; pulled up on final two starts last season but can go well fresh and is not ruled out on his return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Northern Poet

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Pulled up three consecutive times after his two good-ground wins (3m/3m5f) in March 2025; back on a good mark now and was seemingly perked up by first-time visor when close fourth of six (just behind Enjoy d'Allen) at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month but overall profile remains unconvincing.

12/1

4th

1

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

16:02 Plumpton

Northern Poet

12st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Has five wins over fences, including over C&D, but has been pulled up on his last three starts; back on last winning mark and first-time visor now goes on but he comes with risks.

12/1

5

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Northern Poet

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Won this last year (good) and followed up at Warwick (3m5f, good) a week later; also effective on good to soft ground; pulled up on final two starts last season but can go well fresh and is not ruled out on his return.

8/1

Non-runners

Magna Sam

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.40
Straight Forecast £27.22
Tricast £178.78
Trifecta £294.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sainte Doctor

The Times:

If Not For Dylan

POSTDATA:

Ladronne

D Express:

If Not For Dylan

RP RATINGS:

Sainte Doctor

TOPSPEED:

Sainte Doctor

Telegraph:

Sainte Doctor

The Guardian:

Sainte Doctor

Daily Mail:

Sainte Doctor

Daily Mirror:

Sainte Doctor

The Sun:

Sainte Doctor

The Star:

Sainte Doctor

Daily Record:

Sainte Doctor