14:05 Market Rasen

Friday 16 January 2026

All12:1812:5313:2814:0514:4015:1015:45

Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 5m 42.23s

Minella Drama^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 145| CD

16/1

Successful in last season's Grade 2 Old Roan handicap chase at Aintree. Bounced back to form when third in this year's renewal but again failed to build on reappearance promise when pulled up in handicap latest. Seemingly best fresh nowadays but did win on sole previous visit to this track.

Form: 1P9P-3P

Two For Gold^t,p²⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 142| D

20/1

Smart at his best but has tended to save his best for Ascot. Underlined his inconsistency when pulled up in the Silver Cup handicap chase at the aforementioned track last time and remains to be seen if he's on a going day back in veteran company.

Form: 6/4P2-6P

Bill Baxter⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138| D

11/2

Capitalised on much-reduced mark when landing a 12-runner listed handicap chase at Punchestown (24.5f) in May. Runner-up over hurdles on reappearance Newbury and again did all he could returned to fences when sixth in the Becher at Aintree last month. Can remain competitive back down in trip.

Form: 5U41-26

The Flier Begley¹⁸¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Hogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 135| CD

12/1

Winner of this race in 2025 and backed that up with two subsequent victories, latterly a career best over this C&D in June. Paid the price for a busy campaign when pulled-up in Summer Plate here following month and no surprise to see him closer to form following 6-month break.

Form: 2131-1P

Mahons Glory⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 134| D

5/2

Has looked a reformed character for current yard, backing up his fourth in the Grand Sefton at Aintree (2m5f) with a bold front-running effort fifth in the Becher (3m2f) there last time, when stretched by the longer trip. Merits consideration back down in distance.

Form: 12-2245

Doyen Du Bar²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Callum Bewley| T: N G Richards| OR: 132| BF

11/4

Progressive for Pauline Robson last season and shaped promisingly when third at Newbury on stable debut, having raced up with a brisk pace. Could only match that form when second at Wetherby (15.2f) next time but step up in trip (closely related to a staying type) could unlock further improvement.

Form: 1121-32

Filanderer⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 120| C

7/2

Continued his progression from last season when landing a 4-timer with a strong-travelling rout at Ffos Las on reappearance. Undone by his jumping in better company at Newbury next time but has been freshened up for this and looks well worth another chance returning to a course where he's 1-1.

Form: U111-15

Stratagem^t,p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁵⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 116| D

28/1

Useful sort at his best for Paul Nicholls but regressed. Shaped as if needing the run on return/stable debut when well held at Doncaster last month. Should take a step forward with a run under his belt and usual headgear refitted, but remains with something to find from 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 144/4P-4

Forecasts

Mahons Glory (5/2), Doyen Du Bar (11/4), Filanderer (7/2), Bill Baxter (11/2), The Flier Begley (12/1), Minella Drama (16/1), Two For Gold (20/1), Stratagem (28/1)

Despite his age, FILANDERER was progressing fast prior to being undone by his jumping in a better race at Newbury. He looks well worth another chance off a short break and may be able to make it 2-2 at this course, with Doyen Du Bar a serious danger if improving for this markedly longer trip. Mahons Glory made a bold bid in the Becher Chase at Aintree last time and is expected to be in the mix over a more suitable distance.