13:25 Cheltenham

Thursday 1 January 2026

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40

Betfair Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 6m 28.29s

Does He Know^p²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 147| C

8/1

Smart chaser who capitalised on a much-reduced mark when readily making a winning return in 5-runner veterans handicap chase at Haydock (25.6f, good) 29 days ago. A Cheltenham winner but back up 6 lb now and this is tougher.

Form: 44P33-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Shannon Royale^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 135

4/1

A very useful 3m winning chaser for Gordon Elliott last term. Not disgraced for his new yard when fifth of 8 in handicap chase at Punchestown (21.3f, soft) 40 days ago, badly hampered 2 out, so he enters calculations eased 1 lb.

Form: P65P-75

Herakles Westwood²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 135| BF

11/2

A dual 3m scorer last term and he has improved with each of his three starts this season, posting a very good fourth of 9 in 3m2f handicap chase here 20 days ago. Not taken lightly off a 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 1375-24

Katate Dori^p,t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 135

7/1

Much improved sent chasing last term, winning 3 times, and he signalled he is ready to strike again when a promising sixth of 24 in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f) 33 days ago when hindered by a slow start. Big shout at the weights eased 2 lb here.

Form: 121P-76

Excello^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

12/1

Winless since 2023/24 but he made a promising return when third in the 2m5f Grand Sefton at Aintree in November. Only tenth of 13 in Becher there following month though so needs to get back on track.

Form: 3740-30

Inch House^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129

8/1

Without a win since 2023 and he went backwards from a good reappearance sixth here when pulled up in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (26f, good to soft) 33 days ago. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 4F/PP-6P

Jasmin De Grugy^t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 126| BF

4/1

Multiple hurdles winner who bagged handicaps at Southwell and Newbury on first 2 starts in this sphere last season. Looked rusty after 7 months off when fourth of 8 in Rehearsal at Newcastle (23.4f, good to soft) on his return 33 days ago and not ruled out here.

Form: 11132-4

New Order^h,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 125

5/1

A three-time chase winner (at up to 3m) following a wind op last season and he got right back on track when second of 8 in handicap chase at Sandown (24.2f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Up 3 lb but he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 1711-52

Forecasts

Shannon Royale (4/1), Jasmin De Grugy (4/1), New Order (5/1), Herakles Westwood (11/2), Katate Dori (7/1), Inch House (8/1), Does He Know (8/1), Excello (12/1)

KATATE DORI didn't enjoy the rub of the green when an eye-catching sixth in Newbury's Coral Gold Cup last time and is given a confident vote to get off the mark for the season off a 2 lb lower mark. Herakles Westwood rates a big threat though on the back of a very good recent fourth here, while Irish challenger Shannon Royale is also weighted to have a say. Jasmin de Grugy should build on his Rehearsal fourth after a break and completes the shortlist.