April 11 / 14.30 Aintree

14.30

Good To Soft

William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £56270
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 1
  • 13 runners
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William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 23-634 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdles winner, including in one of only two attempts at 3m; campaigned over 2m4f/2m5f switched to fences this term, best effort when third behind very notable rivals in graduation chase at Haydock; well handicapped on that bare form and could be open to any amount of improvement back up in distance; a typically interesting runner of his type for the Skeltons.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

16

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Mr Hope Street

10st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Four-time hurdles winner, including in one of only two attempts at 3m; campaigned over 2m4f/2m5f switched to fences this term, best effort when third behind very notable rivals in graduation chase at Haydock; well handicapped on that bare form and could be open to any amount of improvement back up in distance; a typically interesting runner of his type for the Skeltons.

5/2

4th

1

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Mr Hope Street

11st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fairly useful hurdler who stepped up on his Carlisle chase debut sixth when beaten just over 6l into third behind The Jukebox Man and Iroko in a Haydock graduation event over an extended 2m5f (good to soft) in November; while his proximity to that high-class pair almost certainly shouldn't be taken at face value he could still be well treated back in a handicap off 131.

2/1

6th

3

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

12:32 Carlisle

Mr Hope Street

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made very good progress over hurdles last season (three wins); signed off with creditable third in competitive Cheltenham handicap (3m, good) in April and has possibilities if he takes well to chasing at first attempt.

5/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 3-3311 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Landed the bumper on this card in 2022; justified market support in major handicap at Kempton (good to soft; first attempt at 3m under rules) most recently, taking chase record to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 9-20; remains particularly unexposed over this sort of distance and commands respect returned to Aintree, with further progress plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Lookaway

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Landed the bumper on this card in 2022; justified market support in major handicap at Kempton (good to soft; first attempt at 3m under rules) most recently, taking chase record to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 9-20; remains particularly unexposed over this sort of distance and commands respect returned to Aintree, with further progress plausible.

13/2

1st

6

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Lookaway

11st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

A front-runner and not the only one; however, he was a Grade 2-winning hurdler and very much heading the right way over fences, as his third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) has worked out well and he then won by 24l over 2m4f here last month (left clear two out) despite being taken on by Leader In The Park; looks well in off only 4lb higher and, although unraced over this far, he's always looked a strong stayer at 2m4f.

10/1

11/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 1U113F D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Faller in the Cheltenham Festival contest won by Grand National runner Johnnywho; progressive otherwise and his record of 5-11 over fences features wins in notable handicaps at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) and Wetherby (3m, soft) this term; likely to go well barring mishaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Konfusion

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Faller in the Cheltenham Festival contest won by Grand National runner Johnnywho; progressive otherwise and his record of 5-11 over fences features wins in notable handicaps at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) and Wetherby (3m, soft) this term; likely to go well barring mishaps.

11/1

8

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Konfusion

11st 2lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

8yo who thrived towards the end of last year, winning three times (2m7f/3m, good-soft); having gone up the weights he was third of six (beaten about 2l) behind Imperial Saint at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) in January but that was still a big performance and further improvement can't be ruled out.

16/1

3rd

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 1

14:00 Haydock

Konfusion

11st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Front-runner who is 3-3 this season when completing, posting easy wins on last two starts at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) and Wetherby (3m, soft); had just three rivals to beat last time and now 9lb higher in a tougher race, but he's clearly thriving and his stable has won this race five times.

5/2

Form: 191400 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Irish 7yo who was successful last August/November in first two chase attempts, including at Kempton (3m, good); something to prove in this scenario, having posted duck eggs in competitive handicaps on last two starts, but in excellent hands and may yet resume improvement; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

26

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Chance Another One

10st 0lb

T: Emmet Mullins

Reserve; won over hurdles at Ballinrobe last summer but was disappointing when last seen in this sphere at Cheltenham last autumn when wore a hood; however, has improved plenty over fences since and ran a cracker in an Aintree Grade 3 last time; 4lb out of the handicap but hurdles mark is 14lb lower than chase one; check the market if getting a run.

4th

18

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Chance Another One

10st 12lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Irish 7yo who was successful last August/November in first two chase attempts, including at Kempton (3m, good); something to prove in this scenario, having posted duck eggs in competitive handicaps on last two starts, but in excellent hands and may yet resume improvement; not written off.

16/1

11th

10

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Chance Another One

10st 8lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Emmet Mullins

Better chaser than hurdler; this is a much deeper race than the one he won by more than 4l over C&D in November (good; effective on softer) but unwise to read too much into his subsequent defeats in Ireland that were at about 2m; a 7lb higher mark than for that last win could count, however.

9/1

Form: 7P1-6P CD

Last run: 120 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Has failed to show his form in both outings this term but a revival looks highly likely back at Aintree on return from four-month break; 2-2 over fences at this venue, namely wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft); had a similar prep when winning by 5l off just 1lb lower 12 months ago; commands respect in the hat-trick attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

23rd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 2

16:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Cruz Control

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Took big step back in right direction when fifth at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last month, in race he won the previous two seasons; still on a workable mark and has a fighting chance here if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect.

9/4

5th

9

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Cruz Control

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Has failed to show his form in both outings this term but a revival looks highly likely back at Aintree on return from four-month break; 2-2 over fences at this venue, namely wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft); had a similar prep when winning by 5l off just 1lb lower 12 months ago; commands respect in the hat-trick attempt.

11/2

Form: 59-1F7 C

Last run: 77 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
1-6 over fences, the success at Aintree (2m4f) on seasonal debut; seemed a non-stayer in the Welsh National before eventually falling, then ran below form at Cheltenham (2m4f); return to this venue may have a positive effect but he ideally needs assistance from the weather, having gained all wins on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Uncle Bert

11st 6lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

1-6 over fences, the success at Aintree (2m4f) on seasonal debut; seemed a non-stayer in the Welsh National before eventually falling, then ran below form at Cheltenham (2m4f); return to this venue may have a positive effect but he ideally needs assistance from the weather, having gained all wins on soft ground.

20/1

7th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Uncle Bert

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made much of the running when winning in dominant style at Aintree (2m4f, soft) in December; beaten when falling late on in the Welsh National three weeks later, lack of stamina a possible factor; back to a more suitable trip here but now off a career-high mark and others appeal more.

9/1

20/1

Form: -15423

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
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.
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: -1P235 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Good third to Lookaway in the bumper on this card four years ago; spoiled his chance with a couple of mistakes in the Cheltenham Festival handicap won by Grand National contender Johnnywho; however, he split that rival and Deep Cave for useful effort at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December and may resume his progress when jumping errors are avoided.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Leave Of Absence

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Good third to Lookaway in the bumper on this card four years ago; spoiled his chance with a couple of mistakes in the Cheltenham Festival handicap won by Grand National contender Johnnywho; however, he split that rival and Deep Cave for useful effort at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December and may resume his progress when jumping errors are avoided.

11/1

5th

6

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Leave Of Absence

11st 3lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Second-season chaser who is enjoying another progressive campaign, winning a novice here (3m1f, good) in October and beaten a head in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not disgraced in Grade 2 at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) last time; not ruled out each-way now back in a handicap.

16/1

3rd

4

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

14:10 Newbury

Leave Of Absence

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lightly raced for his age and best form when pipped in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on latest start; however, reportedly unsuited by the soft ground (his first race on it) when pulled up in a Listed novice chase at Cheltenham the time before and he has plenty to find against two of today's rivals on the ratings.

14/1

Form: 1-1150 C

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles on this card (good) and ended with nabbing Leave Of Absence on the line in notable handicap chase at Ascot (good to soft); couple of backward steps since but a bad early error, and perhaps losing a shoe, contributed to a poor effort last time; may well rebound on a significant day in his calendar.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Deep Cave

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles at Aintree (good) in April before two chase wins late in the year; three marked backward steps over fences since but he's well handicapped on best chase efforts.

16/1

39

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Deep Cave

10st 2lb

T: Christian Williams

Reserve; won a handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, plus over fences at Bangor in November and Ascot in December, all over about 3m; backward steps in two further useful handicap chases, which he needs to reverse in a major way, but arriving late on the scene for those wins offers some potential for going beyond 3m; 3lb out of the handicap.

100/1

10

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Deep Cave

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

3m hat-trick in 2025 started with a success over hurdles on this card (good) and ended with nabbing Leave Of Absence on the line in notable handicap chase at Ascot (good to soft); couple of backward steps since but a bad early error, and perhaps losing a shoe, contributed to a poor effort last time; may well rebound on a significant day in his calendar.

6/1

Form: 5-3142 D BF

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Irish 7yo whose broadly progressive form switched to chasing this season features a comfortable win at Roscommon (sole attempt over 3m1f; good) in the summer and good second in Thurles handicap (2m5f, yielding) last time; still reasonably unexposed and looks interesting back up in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Brave Fortune

11st 7lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Irish 7yo whose broadly progressive form switched to chasing this season features a comfortable win at Roscommon (sole attempt over 3m1f; good) in the summer and good second in Thurles handicap (2m5f, yielding) last time; still reasonably unexposed and looks interesting back up in distance.

6/1

2nd

2

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 198y

14:50 Thurles

Brave Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Winning pointer and twice successful over hurdles for Pat Doyle; took third behind subsequent Galway Plate winner Western Fold on chasing debut before comfortably justifying favouritism next time at Roscommon (3m1f, good); made stable debut back from a break in a five-runner novice event at Fairyhouse last time when a distant fourth (2m5f, soft); shaped as though he would come on for the run that day.

8/1

1

9th Jun 2025

Good

3m 1f 24y

19:08 Roscommon

Brave Fortune

11st 12lb

J: Jack Doyle

T: P M J Doyle

Winning pointer who won twice over hurdles, including a 3l defeat of Heroes Rise at Thurles in December; matched that RPR when third on recent chase debut; good chance.

3/1

Form: -373U4

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
French jumper who bagged Grade 3 honours and finished a good fourth in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in 2024; however, has failed to match that form since and, judged on recent RPRs, has something to prove off his mark in this very warm handicap; first British attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 11262P C

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Josh The Boss

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Novice chaser who has several pieces of sound form at up to 2m4f this season, including a second at Aintree; however, below that level in major handicaps in two of his last three starts, seeming a non-stayer at Doncaster (soft) in the sole 3m attempt; stamina to prove back up in trip.

16/1

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Josh The Boss

10st 12lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Fairly useful novice chaser who scored easily at Doncaster in November and has performed creditably off current mark twice since, albeit failed to justify favouritism when sent up to Newcastle (2m4f) last time; goes into deeper waters at this level.

11/1

2nd

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

15:58 Newcastle

Josh The Boss

11st 6lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Always ridden by Jamie Neild; walked over on his second chase assignment and easily made all in four-runner handicap at Doncaster (2m3f, soft) in November; another big run from the front when second of five at Aintree (2m4f) next time, before his first attempt at 3m did not work out in a Grade 3 handicap four weeks ago; he should be of renewed interest back at 2m4f.

4/1

Form: 341PPP

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Has form at 3m1f; made all in major handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f) in December; unable to dominate in the same manner and eventually pulled up in all three outings since; had wind surgery (his second) since latest; wears new headgear; again far from certain to have his own way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Glengouly

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Faye Bramley

Made all in major handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f) in December but hasn't completed any of his four subsequent races, the latest after wind surgery (and in a new visor); cheekpieces return and an easy lead would help matters; tailed off in this last year.

12/1

17

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Glengouly

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Faye Bramley

Has form at 3m1f; made all in major handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f) in December; unable to dominate in the same manner and eventually pulled up in all three outings since; had wind surgery (his second) since latest; wears new headgear; again far from certain to have his own way.

40/1

16

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Glengouly

11st 0lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: Faye Bramley

Made all here (2m4f, good to soft) in December and remains well handicapped on his old form for Willie Mullins (at up to 3m1f); however, this 10yo has been pulled up on his last two starts, the latest only 12 days ago.

50/1

Non-runners

Imperial Saint, Amirite, Aint That A Shame, Myretown, Stolen Silver

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.60
Straight Forecast £19.23
Tricast £259.16
Trifecta £447.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Brave Fortune

POSTDATA:

Mr Hope Street

Telegraph:

Leave Of Absence

The Times:

Cruz Control

TOPSPEED:

Bad

RP RATINGS:

Uncle Bert

The Star:

Deep Cave

Daily Mirror:

Brave Fortune

Daily Record:

Brave Fortune

D Express:

Mr Hope Street

The Sun:

Mr Hope Street

The Guardian:

Leave Of Absence

Daily Mail:

Cruz Control