15:00 Aintree

Sunday 25 October 2026

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

William Hill Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 3f 200y | 13 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 155

Bounced back to best under a more patient ride when winning a premier handicap at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Has failed by a long way to back that up in 4 subsequent starts, tailed off when falling 3 out at Ayr (2m, heavy) back in April. Solid record fresh and handicapper given him a squeak.

Form: 3155PF-

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Master Chewy²²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 152| CWS

Back to form when runner-up in Kempton Grade 2 in January but tailed off on both subsequent outings, his jumping all over the place when last seen in Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) at Cheltenham. Yard in form and worth remembering he won at this meeting on return a few years ago.

Form: 247256-

Hitman^p,t¹⁹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152| CD

Ended a long losing run in this corresponding race last year on reappearance. However, he failed to kick on from that in 3 subsequent starts, stopped in his tracks by a serious error before exiting through no fault of his own in Topham here (21f, good to soft) when last seen in April. Considered.

Form: P7/13PF-

Wendigo¹⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 147| D

Surpassed his hurdles form over fences last season, winning novices at Newbury (2½m, Grade 2) in November and Ayr (3m, heavy) in January. Good third to Kitzbuhel in Kauto Star at Kempton in between but failed to give his running in Mildmay here (25f) when last seen in April. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 2131F6-

Riskintheground^t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| D

Landed Silver Trophy at Haydock in April and added to that at Perth (3m) in June. Close third in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter next time but shaped as if needing the run returning from a career-high mark after 4 months off at Ffos Las (19f, soft) recently. 1 of 4 for the yard.

Form: 01-2136

Teddy Blue^b,t¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 144| D

Still not totally straightforward but better than ever when scoring at Kempton in March, responding well having looked held 4 out. Let down by his jumping in the Topham but seemed to excel himself when third in Oaksey Chase at Sandown (23f) when last seen in April. Tough ask from career-high mark.

Form: 7531P3-

Matterhorn¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| D

Smart at best for Paul Nicholls but given a considerate return after 6 months off when seventh of 8 at Ffos Las (19f, soft) recently, going without his usual tongue strap and ridden more patiently than usual. Looks one for later in the season.

Form: 2/1P2P-7

Boombawn^p1¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| CD

Smart chaser who finished last season in better heart than his finishing positions suggested and shaped well on return over hurdles at Chepstow recently, that presumably a pipe-opener. 10 lb lower than when fourth in this last year and in first-time cheekpieces, he looks to have a great chance.

Form: 38098-6

Imperial Saint¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 143| CD

Won first 3 starts here in 2024/25 and added to his tally when landing a gamble in Peter Marsh at Haydock back in January. Excuses in Ultima next time, but unable to extend his Merseyside love affair in Grand National back in April (possibly failed to stay). Makes return back at 2½m.

Form: 2/56180-

Prairie Wolf^p²¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Tudor| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 142| CD

Returned to winning ways over C&D on Boxing Day. Well held at Cheltenham next time, but back in calmer waters he proved at least as good as ever with back-to-back wins at Newcastle in February and at Newbury the following month. Returns from 5 lb higher and will need another career best.

Form: 331911-

Etalon^t¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Skelton| OR: 141

Responded well to headgear and an attacking ride when making all at Ascot (19f) last winter. Shaped like a non-stayer when upped to 3m at Perth on return last month and with that in mind can have his subsequent Ffos Las effort ignored. Drops back to a more suitable trip.

Form: 134-35P

Bluey¹⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 136| D

Dual winner over hurdles who upped her game over the larger obstacles last season, notching a third success in 7-runner handicap at Market Rasen (21f, good) when last seen in April. May not have much more improvement to come but her fine attitude and jumping will stand her in good stead.

Form: 142121-

Insurrection¹⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: J J Burke| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 135| D

Dual winner over hurdles who ran up to best over fences when third at Musselburgh on return on New Year's Day. Finished down the field in Kim Muir next start and despite the addition of first-time cheekpieces, he raced indolently when third of 5 at Hereford back in April. Has since moved yards.

Form: 88/3803-

Forecasts

Boombawn (4/1), Hitman (5/1), Wendigo (6/1), Imperial Saint (6/1), Bluey (8/1), Master Chewy (8/1), Matata (8/1), Teddy Blue (12/1), Prairie Wolf (12/1), Riskintheground (25/1), Insurrection (33/1), Matterhorn (33/1), Etalon (33/1)

An open-looking renewal of Britain's first big chase of the autumn, BOOMBAWN selected to notch his third success over the larger obstacles having been given a recent pipe-opener over timber at Chepstow. Dan Skelton's 9-y-o is 10 lb lower than when fourth in this last year and the application of first-time headgear signals intent. Imperial Saint has a fine record here, so he heads up the dangers on reappearance, with last year's winner Hitman completing the shortlist.