14:05 Haydock

Saturday 20 December 2025

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 44.92s

Velvet Elvis³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Alex Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 147

80/1

A smart winning chaser if not the most consistent for Gavin Cromwell. Pulled up on his yard bow in Troytown Handicap at Navan (24f, heavy) 34 days ago so has a bit to prove here.

Form: P1/028-P

Top Of The Bill^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 147| CD

15/2

Has proved temperamental but he signed off last term with success at Ffos Las and returned from 8 months off with a comfortable all-the-way victory over C&D last month. Hiked up 9 lb but not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 31/4P1-1

Famous Bridge^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| CD

16/1

Goes particularly well here and took this prize in 2023. Dropped away quickly from 3 out when seventh of 10 to Top of The Bill in handicap chase over C&D 28 days ago. Sort to bounce back though.

Form: 3D6P-77

O'Toole^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Ewing| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 134

11/1

Low-mileage winning hurdler/chaser who shaped well after 11 months off when second of 15 in handicap chase at Cork (21.2f, soft) 27 days ago. Up 7 lb but this Irish challenger must enter calculations.

Form: 4312/1-2

Grand Albert^p1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125

16/1

Lightly-raced sort but he's won over both hurdles and fences and returned from 10 months off with a respectable fourth of 8 in handicap chase at Bangor (24.1f, heavy) 21 days ago, despite making mistakes. No forlorn hope with cheekpieces added.

Form: 12/313-4

Saladins Son²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 122

4/1

Improved switched to Anthony Honeyball last season, scoring three times, and he ran well on his seasonal return when 7 lengths second of 10 to Top of The Bill over C&D four weeks ago. Enjoys a 9 lb pull in the weights here so is very much one to consider.

Form: 2/1P11-2

My Silver Lining²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

11/1

Winless since January, 2024, but she got back on track from a reduced mark when third of 12 in handicap chase at Ascot (29.3f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: P3P4-43

Jacks Parrot^t,p³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 119| BF

12/1

Runner-up in this event 12 months ago and he wasn't disgraced after 9 months off when fourth on his hurdling bow at Bangor (23f) 38 days ago. Firmly in the picture with that run under his belt.

Form: 72435-4

Brucejack²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: P A Fahy| OR: 117

14/1

Winless since 2023 but he comes here on the back of a good fourth of 15 in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (30f, soft) 20 days ago. 9 lb higher in the weights here though.

Form: 252F-44

Grand Geste^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117| BF

15/8

Maiden hurdler who is much improved sent chasing, coming in an excellent second (around 2m4f) at Carlisle and Newcastle last month. Up 7 lb here (including 2 lb out of the handicap) but another bold showing is on the cards back up in trip.

Form: 334P-22

Latenightrumble^t,p1⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 116

14/1

Made a winning handicap chase debut at Wetherby (3m) last December but has been well below par on his last two outings, including on his return in 2m3f Stratford handicap chase in October. Cheekpieces are reached for now.

Form: 3122P-5

Fenland Tiger²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: S England| OR: 112| D

22/1

A three-time chase winner (at up to 3m2f) in 2023/24. Only twice raced since but he posted a good second of 8 in handicap chase at Carlisle (24.5f, soft) 20 days ago. 7 lb out of the weights here but promising conditional booked.

Form: 3117/72

Forecasts

Grand Geste (15/8), Saladins Son (4/1), Top Of The Bill (15/2), My Silver Lining (11/1), O'Toole (11/1), Jacks Parrot (12/1), Brucejack (14/1), Latenightrumble (14/1), Grand Albert (16/1), Famous Bridge (16/1), Fenland Tiger (22/1), Velvet Elvis (80/1)

Lots with chances but GRAND GESTE rates the pick of the weights (despite being 2 lb out of the handicap) on the back of a fine second at Newcastle and can go one better now to continue the fine form of Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith. Last year's runner-up Jacks Parrot (second choice) looks primed for another bold showing after a recent spin over hurdles at Bangor, while Top of The Bill and Saladins Son came home 1-2 over C&D last time and seem sure to have a say too in a cracking Tommy Whittle.