The 2026 Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us. Last year I seem to recall the starters having more trouble starting than I used to have with a Vauxhall Viva bought in 1979. 

It's quite a long time since I've embraced this particular challenge but punters who travel to Cheltenham by train - thereby avoiding problems with a car that won't start -  and then opt to walk to the track - an undertaking that necessitates a lengthy stopover at The Rotunda to take on board ample liquid refreshment for the trials that lie ahead - usually turn right out of the station forecourt and then walk straight past Eldorado Road (leading to Eldorado Crescent). 

When I was younger, you know, I used to think how aptly named that road was...

Anyway, I couldn't get started on the Morebattle Hurdle (2.55 Kelso) so I've spent a bit of time on the Grimthorpe (2.30 Doncaster) instead. 

The going on the chase course is described as good to soft; heavy rain is forecast overnight and a number in this field wouldn't want to see conditions deteriorate any further.

Moroder won the 2023 running of this race off 131 carrying 10-2 and last year's renewal off 125 carrying 10-7 (Some Scope pulled up after a bad mistake). This year Moroder goes off a mark of 120 yet carries 10-11 - which only serves to highlight a drop in quality.

Earlier today top weight King's Threshold was at the head of the market but this evening Emma Lavelle's charge has relinquished top spot to Dartmoor Pirate. 

King's Threshold won the Mandarin at Newbury just after Christmas off 131 and has since missed a couple of potential engagements - the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at this track five weeks ago and then the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot a fortnight ago - on account of soft ground.

Writing in this week's RP Weekender the trainer says:

"...King's Threshold showed himself a progressive chaser when winning the Mandarin at Newbury in December and, although that was nearly two months ago, he remains in good form.

"He doesn't overdo himself at home, he never stops eating, so I don't think being ready to run for a while will have sent him over the top. And I've long thought there's a big race in him."

Dartmoor Pirate won the aforementioned Great Yorkshire, beating New Order three and threequarters lengths - initially he appeared outpaced up the home straight before staying on stoutly to win with something in hand. 

Anthony Honeyball's charge has two furlongs further to travel here; the gelding has won both chase starts with a tongue-tie fitted.

New Order reopposes five pounds better off. He was left in the lead when Joyeux Machin, five lengths clear, came to grief at the final open ditch and Charlie Longsdon's charge looked to tire coming to the final flight.

His previous third behind Herakles Westwood and Katate Dori over three miles one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham reads well.

Jasmin De Grugy, stablemate of Dartmoor Pirate, wasn't foot perfect behind Herakles Westwood that day.

Hampered by the fall of Excello on the first circuit, he was towards the rear when coming to grief on the second circuit. Prior to that he'd finished fourth behind Konfusion in the Rehearsal at Newcastle; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time. 

On his penultimate start just after Christmas Some Scope, sporting a first time visor, made all to win a three mile handicap chase at Doncaster (Moroder third, beaten 12 lengths). 

Next time the visor was left off in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham where he raced in rear throughout, beaten over 70 lengths. 

After that race the vet reported the gelding had lost his left fore shoe and suffered a small overreach on his left fore leg. Four days later he underwent wind surgery.

Neil Mulholland saddles three; comments on each runner from the recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 04-08.02.26] are reproduced below.

Kelce

"He finished second at Aintree on Boxing Day behind Fortunate Man and then won at Musselburgh on Saturday [31.01.26]. He's had three wins now for us and is a good, solid horse. He's just creeping up a little bit in the ratings now, which might just allow us to get into a couple of those nicer 3m handicap chases off bottom weight. He's going the right way." 

Broomfields Cave

"He won last time out on Boxing Day at Wincanton. The third horse, Jupiter Allen, came out and won again last week [29.01.26], so the form is working out well. The ground would just be a little bit soft for him at present, but once we get a bit of proper good to soft ground again he'll be out. He's a nice staying chaser and there'll be plenty more to come from him."

Lord Accord

"We're just waiting for the ground really. He's a very solid horse and my top earner this season. He's run 37 times, winning nine and been second on six occasions. He's won more than £165,000 in prize money. He was second last time at Ascot in the Berkshire National and was in good order, giving a good account of himself. There's no reason why he can't continue to do so in the spring time when he gets his ground. He could go for the Kim Muir at the festival."

To my mind Destroytheevidence didn't see out this trip - admittedly on heavy ground - at Wincanton last month.

King Turgeon is back down to 133, his last winning mark. When last seen he finished sixth behind Blaze The Way at Cheltenham in December - nine lengths behind Herakles Westwood in fourth at level weights. 

Theformismighty bounced back to form at Newcastle last month and has only gone up three pounds.

Around this time last year, conceding 13 pounds, he was beaten a head by New Order in a novices' handicap chase at Wetherby; mighty form indeed. 

However, in between those two efforts, there have been a couple of real stinkers; he tries a trip beyond three miles for the first time.  

Jubilant's fifth behind Montregard at Ascot in November - beaten just over eight lengths - is worth a quick mention, given Montregard finished second to subsequent Reynoldstown winner The Jukebox Kid in January; to date James Owen's charge has form mostly in Class 4 handicap chases.

All of which leads back to our old friend Moroder - 12 years of age and still going strong. 

He was returned at 18/1 when he won in 2023 and 33/1 last year, both renewals run on good ground. If he gets into a jumping rhythm up front...

New Order's form stacks up well but at the prices I'm going to take a chance on Broomfields Cave who was highlighted by Neil Clark as the 'reporter's pick' in that referenced Straight from the Stable article; Bradley Harris claims three pounds.

Broomfields Cave is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 generally with the layers paying four places, but Ladbrokes and Coral stand out offering 11/1.   

The 2026 Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton

I'm struggling to recall a one and a half mile novice stakes on the all weather that has generated quite so many column inches. Earlier this evening, under the Southwell floodlights and to the roar of a bumper crowd, Constitution Hill won nine and a half lengths. Where next?

Thirteen have been declared for tomorrow's Ladbrokes Trophy (3.35) run over three miles at Kempton Park; the going is described as good to soft, soft in places.

Katate Dori won last year's renewal 15 lengths and goes off a mark 11 pounds higher this year. 

Sam Thomas' charge is consistent but hasn't won since; on New Year's Day he was headed in the final 110 yards, as they say, beaten half a length by Herakles Westwood at Cheltenham. The handicapper raised him one pound for his trouble.

Kdeux Saint Fray was sent off 7/2 favourite for the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham four weeks ago, a race won by stablemate Jordans Cross. He appeared outpaced off the home turn but stayed on well to claim fourth. 

He steps up to three miles for the first time tomorrow; with just four chase starts to his name, I'm happy to look elsewhere. The last six-year-old to come home in front was Gloria Victis in 2000.

On seasonal debut Hoe Joly Smoke finished third behind Three Card Brag over three miles one furlong at Cheltenham in October, losing second place on the run to the line. 

After that run it became clear connections thought that, even though he stays a bare three miles, he was probably better over a shorter trip. 

The gelding finished third behind stablemate Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November and then fifth behind runaway winner Glengouly in the December Gold Cup. Given a break, he's back to three miles here, sporting first-time cheekpieces to help the cause.

The Doyen Chief isn't always clean at his fences and was all out to hold Your Darling a neck over course and distance six weeks ago, Soul Icon fourth. At Bangor in November this one came to the last in front but made a mistake - Tom Bellamy lost an iron - and then appeared to be outstayed by Deep Cave.

Chance Another One is one of two Irish raiders for Emmet Mullins. 

He beat Viroflay (runs in 4.05 race) over course and distance in November and runs off a mark seven pounds higher here.

Stablemate Rising Dust has won five of his last six starts and steps up in class. Sean Bowen rides but I'd imagine Donagh Meyler has had the pick of the pair.

Lookaway looked to have a fight on his hands at this track last time but Old Cowboy looked as though he had been shot when ploughing through the penultimate flight, leaving Neil King's charge to come hone 24 lengths clear of Leader in The Park. 

After that run the trainer immediately nominated this race as the target, confident the gelding will stay the trip. Back in 2021 he beat thorough stayer Collectors Item in an Irish point-to-point.

A slight digression if I may. 

Old Cowboy was subsequently reported to have bled from the nose that day; in his analysis Nick Luck told Racing TV viewers he thought Old Cowboy would have won comfortably had he stood up. Gary Moore's charge comes with risks attached but he goes again in the Pendil at 2.25 and could be considered overpriced at 12/1.

Deep Cave was deeply disappointing when fifth off top weight in the Great Yorkshire at Doncaster last month.

Prior to that he'd won at Bangor and then pinched a race from Leave Of Absence at Ascot. 

Back in 2022 Christian Williams sent out the mare Win My Wings to win the Eider Chase at Newcastle and then some 30 minutes later Cap Du Nord to win this race. The handler harbours high hopes for Deep Cave but a shot at the Grand National will have to wait for the time being.

Henry's Friend finished five lengths behind Deep Cave at Ascot in December. The pair look closely matched on revised terms although I tend to think Ben Pauling's charge shows his best form at Ascot.

Soul Icon was only beaten two lengths by The Doyen Chief last time but his form is over shorter trips while Boombawn tries three miles for the first time, as does Leader In The Park, although Ben Pauling's inmate won a three mile point-to-point three years ago.   

Veteran Gustavian likes to go from the front but at 11 years of age is past his prime.

A number in this field have questions to answer over the trip. 

I'm going to give another chance to Deep Cave who was disappointing at Doncaster but had looked progressive before; stable form would be a concern.

Deep Cave is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 12/1 with Sky and Paddy Power, both paying four places.

The 2026 Grand National Trial at Haydock

Eleven declared for tomorrow's William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase  (3.15 Haydock) run over three miles four and a half furlongs; the going is described as soft, heavy in places, with an 8.00 am inspection scheduled as overnight temperatures are forecast to fall to -2.

At the time of writing bet365 go 10/1 the field bar two, with more money for Myretown than Deafening Silence at the head of the market. 

Racing from the front Myretown beat The Changing Man 11 lengths in the Ultima at last year's Festival off a mark of 127. 

Next time we saw him the gelding took a crashing fall in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and then four weeks ago held every chance in the Peter Marsh at this track when making a bad blunder three from home; to his credit he rallied bravely and was beaten less than three and a half lengths in fourth behind Imperial Saint (Richmond Lake second).

Generally Myretown's jumping is good but he can make a serious error in a race which is disconcerting; the stable has emerged from a protracted quiet spell (just one winner this year before today) with a treble at Kelso this afternoon: Triple Crown Ted (3/1jf); King Of Answers (11/8f); and Wal Buck's (4/1).

Whisper it quietly but Deafening Silence doesn't have too many miles on the clock.

On his first try beyond three miles, Dan Skelton's charge finished a very creditable third behind Haiti Couleurs and O'Connell in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (Monbeg Genius fifth, Git Maker pulled up). 

The general consensus is the going that day was quicker than the official good to soft recorded. On revised terms he looks weighted to conform placings with Monbeg Genius.

Rivers Corner won the Somerset National at Wincanton four weeks ago and has gone up nine pounds to a mark of 127. I thought he beat two doubtful stayers that day - Isaac Des Obeaux and Destroytheevidence.

Back in November, 35 minutes after Grey Dawning had won the Betfair Chase - with any amount in hand - over three miles one and a half furlongs at this track, Top Of The Bill put on a bit of a show of his own over same course and distance, making all to win unchallenged, finishing seven lengths clear of Saladins Son.  

Four weeks later Grand Geste looked well-named, winning the Tommy Whittle at the track (Saladins Son fourth, Grand Albert fifth, Top Of The Bill ninth). Top Of The Bill weakened quickly before entering the home straight on that occasion - no obvious excuse forthcoming - while, to date, Grand Albert appears to have experienced intermittent problems with his fencing.

Grand Geste was subsequently sent off 5/2 favourite for the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster where the naming didn't appear quite so salient as he failed to give his running and was pulled up just after halfway. Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith's charge has been easy to back during the day.

Richmond Lake only just failed to collar Imperial Saint in the Peter Marsh, beaten a neck. Donald McCain's charge boasts a good record at Haydock - 2132 - but a standard benchmark for this event is a previous win over three miles; Richmond Lake's last win was over two years ago over a trip of two and a half miles.

Git Maker didn't go well for much of the trip when fourth in this race last year - beaten 19 lengths; he was subsequently promoted to third after 'winner' Famous Bridge was disqualified for a banned substance. 

His second behind Iknowthewayurthinkin in the 2024 Kim Muir reads well, as does his third behind Macdermott in the Scottish Grand National that year but his latest effort in the Welsh Grand National seven weeks ago didn't appear to indicate a revival was just around the corner. Connections try first-time blinkers.

Conversely Monbeg Genius' fifth in the Welsh Grand National, less than 12 lengths behind Haiti Couleurs, was a good effort (Deafening Silence third). 

After finishing fourth in the 2024 Welsh Grand National, he beat Richmond Lake five lengths in a three mile handicap chase at Uttoxeter off 142 and races off the same mark tomorrow. He meets Deafening Silence three pounds better off for a seven length deficit in the Welsh National. 

Holokea went into the notebook after narrowly failing to get back up when beaten a neck by Zertakt at Cheltenham in December; Mickey Bowen's charge looked all over the winner but idled on the run to the line. Last March Rivers Corner beat Zertakt just under four lengths in a novice chase at Newbury; Zertakt has been deliberately kept a novice with the National Hunt Chase at this year's Festival a target.

Next time out under top weight Holokea was collared in the shadow of the post by Neo King in the Fitzdares Personal Betting Service Stayers Handicap Chase at Windsor. Neo King starts here from four pounds out of the handicap but that penalty is offset by James Davies' five pounds claim; on revised terms the pair look closely matched once again.

Question marks everywhere, while a number in this field like to race from the front including Myretown, Top Of The Bill, Grand Geste and Rivers Corner; Monbeg Genius is often prominent.

This wouldn't be the strongest renewal and Myretown looks a big threat to all with a clear round. 

I'm going to take an each-way interest in Monbeg Genius, at the time of writing 10/1 with bet365 who are paying four places.  

Footnote:

After winning the Relkeel at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, Harry Skelton was of the opinion Kabral Du Mathan 'doesn't race like a three miler' while brother Dan said: "In my heart I think I trust him enough to relax enough and get the three mile trip..."

Doesn't sound like a 4/7f chance for the Rendlesham (2.05).

The 2026 William Hill Hurdle at Newbury

With today's meetings at Bangor and Sandown - and Sunday's at Exeter - abandoned, I was surprised to see Dan Skelton's mare Let It Rain chalked up clear favourite for tomorrow's William Hill Hurdle (3.20 Newbury) because I thought we'd seen more than enough of the wet stuff for the time being. 

The going on the hurdle track is currently described as heavy with 'one small area of standing water'; at the time of writing no inspection is planned, although further rain is forecast.

This race has a long history in various guises; since 1963 only two winners older than seven years of age have come home in front: Neblin (1987) and Geos (2009). 

My starting point is a Class 4 handicap hurdle at Ascot the Friday before Christmas, festively named the Ascot Shop Handicap Hurdle. 

Dance And Glance just held on to pip the fast-finishing All In You a head with Let It Rain third and The Hardest Geezer fourth; one and a quarter lengths covered the first four home and all were ridden from well off the pace.

Let It Rain raced off a mark of 120 for that handicap debut and was subsequently raised four pounds for her troubles; we haven't seen her since. 

Of course, Mr Skelton knows how to lay one out for a race - Superb Story in the 2016 County Hurdle is one that tends to spring to my mind, primarily because I stubbornly refused to bet the beast. 

Earlier this season the trainer saddled another mare, Panic Attack, to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham over two and a half miles and then, 14 days later, sent the same mare out to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury over three and a quarter miles. 

The suspicion is this mare is ahead of her mark; the degree of understatement contained in that particular statement will be revealed in due course.

One day after the Ascot Shop Handicap Hurdle Hot Fuss separated winner Wilful and third Alexei in another festively named feature, the Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle, previously more mundanely referred to as the Ladbrokes.

That was a decent effort from Tom Dascombe's four-year-old, having previously finished well behind Tutti Quanti in the Gerry Feilden. 

On the third day of the new year All In You reversed Ascot form with Dance And Glance (Hot Fuss fourth) at Sandown, coming from well off the pace to beat that rival with something to spare. After that race handler Warren Greatrex said [RP Weekender 07-11.01.26]:

"I took a risk running him so quickly after Ascot but I needed him to get into the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury. I was worried about the heavy ground, which rode like glue, but he handled it well and actually quickened on it. I've got five weeks to get him ready for Newbury. He has plenty of gears and likes a fast pace. I'd also like to run him at Royal Ascot in the summer."

One slight concern - much of his racing to date has been on right-handed tracks. 

13 days later Hot Fuss reversed Ascot form with Wilful in the Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Windsor (The Hardest Geezer fourth, Milldam fifth, Poet Laureate ninth, Go Dante tenth and Bubl Dubi withdrawn after crashing through the rails and getting loose). A gutsy display from the winner, now rated six pounds higher than when contesting the Gerry Feilden, but that looked a hard race.

The Twiston-Davies yard has previously won this race with a novice (Splash Of Ginge in 2014, Ballyandy in 2019); Un Sens A La Vie makes his handicap debut off a mark of 132. 

His second to Old Park Star at Kempton in November, beaten three lengths conceding six pounds, reads well now, given that Old Park Star is currently 15/8 favourite for the Supreme at the Festival next month. To date he has raced on ground no worse than good to soft.

I must have been the only one who didn't know about Lanesborough when Ben Pauling's charge hosed up eight and a half lengths ahead of Williethebuilder (winner twice since) in a Doncaster handicap hurdle before Christmas. 

He was raised 14 pounds to a mark of 130; some were disappointed with fifth in the Lanzarote next time but it was a respectable effort, beaten 10 lengths.

Top weight Tutti Quanti finished sixth in the Supreme last year and needed the run on seasonal debut behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow. 

He looked good in the Gerry Feilden; Persian War carried 11-13 to victory in 1968 and, in more recent times, Al Dancer (2019), Glory And Fortune (2022) and Iberico Lord (2024) all carried 11-08.

 The Hardest Geezer looks a tough nut and has been thereabouts in his four starts this term without really threatening to do the business.

Milldam has a good record on heavy ground, with Isabelle Ryder's five pounds claim an added bonus. Jamie Snowden's charge has been supported in the market during the day.

Wellington Arch and Wreckless Eric represent the O'Neill yard. The former looks the pick of the pair and beat the latter over two and a half miles at Aintree last spring; his best form is over that longer trip.

Writing in this week's RP Weekender handler Neil Mulholland says of Bucephalus:

"He probably would be a big price for a horse, who if the ground is very soft, will carry a light weight. He could give a good account of himself at decent odds. He was second last time at Haydock and we're very happy with him. He's a tough horse who gives his best."  

I'd imagine the trainer was envisaging a lower weight than 11-08; Harriet Tucker claims seven.

Go Dante, third in the 2024 renewal behind Iberico Lord and L'Eau Du Sud, finished seventh last year behind Joyeuse; Olly Murphy's charge was 26 lengths behind Hot Fuss at Windsor last time and boasts a better record in the Imperial Cup at Sandown.

Veteran Faivoir finished a creditable third in the Greatwood in November but has been well beaten twice since while Poet Laureate looked in the mix in Hot Fuss' race at Windsor before weakening very quickly at the business end.

Of the principals I like the chance of All In You, a £90,000 purchase from the David Maxwell dispersal sale who should have no problems with underfoot conditions. 

At the prices though I'm going to take an each-way interest in Dance And Glance who meets All In You four pounds better off than when beaten one and a half lengths at Sandown last month. The stable has sent out four winners from 12 runners in the past fortnight.

Dance And Glance is the each-way suggestion, 18/1 at the time of writing with bet365, Sky and Paddy Power paying five places.