Steve Ryder previews the Classic Chase and provides a betting tip.
The Classic Chase is a Premier Handicap Chase run at Warwick over 3m5f which is set to be run at 2:55 on Saturday 10th January this year.
Classic Chase Winners, Trends & Stats
One For Arthur won this race in 2017 prior to winning the Grand National later that season.
- 10 of the previous 11 winners had won over 3 miles or further
- 9 of the previous 11 winners were aged 8 or older
- 9 of the previous 11 winners were beaten on their previous start
- 9 of the previous 11 winners had at least 5 chase starts
- 8 of the previous 11 winners were rated between 133 and 145
Classic Chase Odds
| Horse | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Myretown | 7/2 | 22.22% |
| Mr Vango | 5/1 | 16.67% |
| L’Homme Presse | 6/1 | 14.29% |
| Resplendent Grey | 7/1 | 12.50% |
| Val Dancer | 12/1 | 7.69% |
| Destroytheevidence | 14/1 | 6.67% |
| Joyeux Machin | 14/1 | 6.67% |
| Makinyourmindup | 16/1 | 5.88% |
| Transmission | 16/1 | 5.88% |
Last updated on 06/01/2026 at 10:15.
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Classic Chase Runners Guide
L’Homme Presse
Looks set to run here with an official rating of 162 having run well at Cheltenham on his first start for 300 days at the December meeting. He got outpaced that day over 3m2½f and this step up in trip to 3m5f may well suit him well. His presence in the race keeps a lot of the field out of the handicap.
Mr Vango
Won his final three starts last season and was only beaten a short head at Aintree in the Becher Chase on his reappearance. That was off a mark of 152 and he runs here off only 3lbs higher. He was a NR on drying ground in the Welsh Grand National a fortnight ago.
Resplendent Grey
Won the bet365 Handicap Chase at Sandown over this distance on his final start last season before winning Colin Parker Memorial Chase over 2m4f on his reappearance at Carlisle. He was inconvenienced by the standing start at Newbury last time and comes here off a 1lb lower mark.
Nassalam
A late NR in the Welsh Grand National a fortnight ago on drying ground when bidding to win the race for a second time. He won that contest by 34 lengths in 2023 and was back down to his last winning mark of 145 for the first time since.
Myretown
Form figures of 1F11F highlight the ability and frailty of this nine-year-old who won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season. He fell when sent off 4/1 favourite in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury but connections did win this with One For Arthur in 2017.
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Classic Chase Trainers To Watch
Alan King, Emma Lavelle and Paul Nicholls have all won the race three times recently. Alan King does not have a runner this year, Emma Lavelle, who won this with Shotgun Paddy (2014), Eclair Surf (2022) and My Silver Lining (2024), has the latter who bids to win it again this year and Paul Nicholls, who won this with Eurotrek (2006), Ladalko (2007) and Hawkes Point (2015) has Makin’yourmindup this year.
Classic Chase Betting Tips
Despite potentially having to run 2lbs “out of the handicap” based on current ratings and the presence of L’Homme Presse running off a rating of 162, MAKIN’YOURMINDUP (best priced at 16/1) has a nice profile for this race.
The Paul Nicholls trained nine-year-old has won 5 of his 12 starts over obstacles under rules and is yet to finish out of the first four in all of those contests. He won two novice handicap chases at Newbury in 2024 off marks of 131 and 134 before finishing a head 2nd at Plumpton on his final start that season off a mark of 139.
Makin’yourmindup missed the whole of last season but returned from 615 days off the track to finish 4th in the Welsh Grand National trial behind Jubilee Express. He was outpaced that day before getting a second wind over 2m7½f shaping like this step up in trip to 3m5f would suit and that he would benefit from that run fitness wise.
This race looks likely to cut up and despite Harry Cobden riding at Kempton instead, he looks a solid each way selection in this race.
