16:30 Haydock 14 Feb 2026
Walrus Open Hunters' Chase
Class 3 | 5YO plus
Winner £7,700 - 7 run
Soft-heavy in places (prec inspection 8am)
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Light sleet
Temperature: 1.9° - 6.2°
Rainfall: 1.15mm
Wind: 7.1 mph SE
Last Update: 14/02/2026 07:00
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O Shearer And Unexpected Party
- W/O Shearer
- W/O Unexpected Party
- Insure 2 Places
- Top 4 Finish
Bookies best price percentage = 116.78% | Standard bookmaker terms: 2 places, 1/4 odds
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Yard has won 4 of last 10 runnings of race; ran well for long way, jumped and travelled before fading into fifth in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham last March; trainer in form; returning from long layoff; effective up to 3m2f, acts on Hy and G; smart hunter chaser, the one to beat if ready to roll.
Has won three hurdle races, a NH flat race and four chases from 2m to 3m 1f on ground varying from good to heavy. Finished 13l behind Wonderwall when fifth of 24 at 6-1 on his latest outing in a chase at Cheltenham over 3m 2f (good to soft) in March last year.
Yard has won 4 of last 10 runnings of race; ran well for long way, jumped and travelled before fading into fifth in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham last March; trainer in form; returning from long layoff; effective up to 3m2f, acts on Hy and G; smart hunter chaser, the one to beat if ready to roll.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 15 | 7 | 2 | 46.7% | |
| Chase | 5 | 4 | 0 | 80% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 4 | 3 | 40% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 60% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Miss Gina Andrews | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | P F Nicholls | 18 | 8 | 3 | 44.4% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Travelled, did it cosily when winning a hunter chase at Taunton by 4 1/2l last time; effective 2m-2m6f, acts on S and G; consistent in top handicaps and more to come in hunter chases.
Winner of two hurdle races and three chases from 2m to 2m 6f on ground varying from good to soft. Won on his latest outing in a chase when 11-10fav at Taunton over 2m 6f (good) last month, beating Fan De Blues by 4 1/2l.
Travelled, did it cosily when winning a hunter chase at Taunton by 4 1/2l last time; effective 2m-2m6f, acts on S and G; consistent in top handicaps and more to come in hunter chases.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 30 | 5 | 8 | 16.7% | |
| Chase | 23 | 3 | 5 | 13% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| D | Distance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| G | Similar Going | 20 | 4 | 5 | 20% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 20 | 3 | 4 | 15% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Miss Heidi Palin | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| T | Dan Skelton | 30 | 5 | 8 | 16.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form when winning an open point at Garthorpe by a neck two starts back. Needed the run when fourth in a similar race on his return. Effective up to 3m4f on soft and good ground but has a bit to find with the pick of these.
Winner of two chases and five point-to-points from 2m 4f to 3m on ground varying from good to soft. Finished 13l behind Innisfree Lad when fourth of 8 at 7-4fav on his latest outing in a point-to-point race at Cocklebarrow over 3m (good) last month. Having his first run for a new stable today.
Ran to form when winning an open point at Garthorpe by a neck two starts back. Needed the run when fourth in a similar race on his return. Effective up to 3m4f on soft and good ground but has a bit to find with the pick of these.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33.3% | |
| Chase | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 5 | 2 | 2 | 40% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (P only) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mr Martin McIntyre | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Miss M Filby | 6 | 2 | 2 | 33.3% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form when beaten 2 1/2l into third in a hunter chase at Ludlow on his most recent run. Usually held up. Effective at 2m4f and barely gets 3m. Acts on any ground but is suited by decent ground. Others are favoured.
Winner of a hurdle race, three chases and a point-to-point from 2m to 3m on ground varying from good to heavy. Third of 9 behind Java Point beaten 2 1/2l at 5-1 on his latest outing in a chase at Ludlow over 3m (good to soft) last month.
Ran to form when beaten 2 1/2l into third in a hunter chase at Ludlow on his most recent run. Usually held up. Effective at 2m4f and barely gets 3m. Acts on any ground but is suited by decent ground. Others are favoured.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 44 | 4 | 10 | 9.1% | |
| Chase | 32 | 3 | 7 | 9.4% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 39 | 3 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 6 | 1 | 2 | 16.7% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mr Samuel Scott | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.7% |
| T | Myles Osborne | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Eased and below form with no obvious excuse when finishing down the field in a handicap at Leopardstown on his most recent start. Effective at 2m4f over hurdles but has it all to prove back from a lengthy absence on chase debut.
Unplaced in all three starts. Third of 5 behind Da Capo Glory beaten 14l at 22-1 on his latest NH outing in a hurdle race at Punchestown over 2m 4f (good - yielding) in June '23. Having his first run for a new stable today, previously with B W Duke in Ireland.
Eased and below form with no obvious excuse when finishing down the field in a handicap at Leopardstown on his most recent start. Effective at 2m4f over hurdles but has it all to prove back from a lengthy absence on chase debut.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Chase | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 1 | 2 | 10% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 11 | 1 | 2 | 9.1% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Class 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mr Huw Edwards | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Miss Laura Richardson | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form, possibly challenged a bit early off a strong pace and flattened out when beaten 6l into third in a handicap chase at Newbury on his most recent run. Effective up to 3m and acts on soft and good to soft ground. Respected on hunter chase debut.
Has won three hurdle races, three NH flat races and six chases from 1m 7f to 3m on ground varying from good to heavy, but last win was over two years ago. Third of 8 behind Sam Brown beaten 6l at 7-1 on his latest outing in a chase at Newbury over 3m 2f (soft) in March last year.
Ran to form, possibly challenged a bit early off a strong pace and flattened out when beaten 6l into third in a handicap chase at Newbury on his most recent run. Effective up to 3m and acts on soft and good to soft ground. Respected on hunter chase debut.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 39 | 9 | 11 | 23.1% | |
| Chase | 31 | 6 | 9 | 19.4% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 36 | 11 | 11 | 30.6% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (P only) | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 3 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies | 43 | 12 | 12 | 27.9% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Well below form and the ground was too soft when pulled up in a handicap chase at Fakenham last time. Off a short break. Probably needs 2m4f and acts on good ground. A point winner who is up in trip for her hunter chase debut.
Successful in a hurdle race and a point-to-point at 2m 3f and 3m on good ground. Pulled up at the last when 7-2 at Fakenham over 2m 5f (soft) in a chase won by Gazette Bourgeoise in December last year on her latest outing. Having her first run for a new stable today.
Well below form and the ground was too soft when pulled up in a handicap chase at Fakenham last time. Off a short break. Probably needs 2m4f and acts on good ground. A point winner who is up in trip for her hunter chase debut.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Jumps Races | 9 | 1 | 2 | 11.1% | |
| Chase | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 13 | 2 | 3 | 15.4% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Mr Paddy Barlow | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Norman Sanderson | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
UNEXPECTED PARTY made short work of the opposition when returning the easy winner at Taunton. That was his first start in hunter chase company and Dan Skelton's charge can make the most of these favourable terms once again. Shearer made a winning reappearance in one of these events at Ffos Las last year and he can feature, while Take All ran well for third at Ludlow.
Expert View Verdict
Unexpected Party is sure to be popular, the former smart handicap chaser having made a winning hunter chase debut at Taunton last time, but 2m6f on testing ground isn't really what he wants and he may struggle to beat SHEARER, last year's Cheltenham FoxHunters fifth. He ran a blinder that day, jumping well and travelling deep into the contest, and could easily have a say back at the festival next month. He hacked up on his return last season as well, so the absence is of no concern. Good Boy Bobby may be best of the rest having been a useful handicapper and with stamina proven.
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Previous Winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 6 | My Drogo | 10 | 11 12 | - | F19P-31 | 28 days | Edward William Walker (244 miles) | Mr William Biddick | 11/ 4 | 5:54.10 | |
| 2024 | Heavy | 8 | Spyglass Hill | 11 | 11 12 | - | 92-P003 | 333 days | R Pallas (183 miles) | Tom Broughton | 9/ 1 | 6:41.30 | |
| 2023 | Good to Soft | 8 | Famous Clermont | 8 | 12 4 | - | 11-P111 | 16 days | C R Barber (234 miles) | Mr William Biddick | 4/ 5 | 6:14.20 | |
| 2022 | Heavy | 4 | Cousin Pascal | 10 | 12 4 | - | 211-122 | 19 days | J J O'Shea (38 miles) | Mr James King | 9/ 4 | 6:48.30 | |
| 2021 | Soft | 10 | Bob And Co | 10 | 11 8 | - | 5P3-P11 | 363 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Sean Bowen | 11/ 8 | 6:18.66 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 4 | Alcala | 10 | 11 12 | - | 45426-F | 30 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Angus Cheleda | 4/ 1 | 6:05.50 | |
| 2019 | Good | 8 | Road To Rome | 9 | 12 4 | - | 111111 | 10 days | J J O'Shea (38 miles) | Mr Sam Waley-Cohen | 4/ 6 | 6:03.10 | |
| 2018 | Heavy | 6 | Virak | 9 | 12 1 | - | 56456-1 | 30 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Lorcan Williams | 5/ 4 | 6:36.68 | |
| 2017 | Good to Soft | 8 | Wonderful Charm | 9 | 12 4 | - | 3P2P7-1 | 14 days | P F Nicholls (192 miles) | Mr William Biddick | 4/ 6 | 6:22.75 | |
| 2016 | Heavy | 7 | Pearlysteps | 13 | 12 4 | - | 4241-3U | 38 days | H D Daly (93 miles) | Miss J C Williams | 7/ 4 | 7:21.20 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 8 | Pearlysteps | 12 | 12 4 | - | 6114-24 | 260 days | H D Daly (93 miles) | Mr O Greenall | 4/ 1 | 6:42.75 | |
| 2014 | Heavy | 13 | Ockey De Neulliac | 12 | 11 12 | - | 139-211 | 20 days | N Mechie (121 miles) | Miss C Walton | 8/ 1 | 6:58.50 | |
| 2013 | Heavy | 10 | Cottage Oak | 10 | 12 6 | - | 8P4111 | 34 days | J J O'Shea (38 miles) | Mr P Gerety | 9/ 4 | 6:34.00 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 8 | Unowatimeen | 12 | 11 12 | - | PF21-P3 | 53 days | J J O'Shea (38 miles) | Samantha England | 22/ 1 | 6:50.10 | |
| 2011 | Heavy | 5 | Baby Run | 11 | 12 6 | - | 1211U-1 | 14 days | N & W Twiston-Davies (133 miles) | William Twiston-Davies | 8/ 13 | 6:40.43 | |
| 2010 | Heavy | 8 | Cowboyboots | 12 | 11 12 | - | 2P1-441 | 13 days | C R Cox (192 miles) | Mr S Parish | 7/ 2 | 6:29.00 | |
| 2009 | Heavy | 7 | Murphy's Cardinal | 13 | 11 12 | - | 45P12-1 | 287 days | Noel T Chance (171 miles) | Mr William Biddick | 10/ 3 | 6:29.50 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 6 | Christy Beamish | 11 | 12 2 | - | 2FP-F11 | 20 days | Mrs P Jones (84 miles) | Mr A Wadlow | 11/ 1 | 6:24.40 |
Race Favourite Stats
| Year | Favourite Finish Position | Winner Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3, 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4, 3 | 7 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 2m 6f 54y | 5:47.70 |