Forward Plan is set to face 16 rivals in his bid to win the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase after last season’s near miss at Doncaster.
The Anthony Honeyball-trained gelding suffered a nose defeat to Annual Invictus 12 months ago and is rated 9lbs higher for his latest attempt, but claiming jockey Chad Bament is booked to shave off 10lbs.
Charlie Uberalles – third in last year’s renewal – got the better of Forward Plan over course and distance last month but is 3lbs worse off on this occasion.
Antepost favourite The Changing Man is looking to score over fences at the ninth time of asking and runs off a career-high mark of 137 following last month’s second place in the Silver Cup.
There is also a hat-trick seeker in the field for Saturday’s 15:15 as Tightenourbelts takes a significant step up in grade.
The latest Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase 2025 verdict
Timeform: It’s surely just a matter of time before THE CHANGING MAN opens his account over fences and this could be it after excellent runner-up efforts in similar events at Newcastle and Ascot. This is typically competitive, though, with hat-trick seeking Tightenourbelts and last year’s runner-up Forward Plan heading the dangers.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase 2025.
Raffle Ticket
Trainer: Mel Rowley Jockey: Shane Quinlan Age: 11 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Low mileage 11-y-o who looked better than ever when landing a Aintree handicap in May. Never involved at Cheltenham since, however, and opposable off top weight.
**
Arizona Cardinal
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Admirable sort who signed off last term with victory in Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree. Looked rusty when pulled up at Chepstow on October’s return and fared better on first go in a cross country at Cheltenham. Does look high enough in the handicap, though.
***
Tightenourbelts
Trainer: Emma Lavelle Jockey: Rex Dingle Age: 8 Weight: 11st 11lbs
Failed to kick on over fences last season but seems to have got his act together now, impressing with his jumping when winning at Exeter and Ludlow last 2 starts. Worth a shot in a valuable event like this
****
Sure Touch
Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: James Bowen Age: 9 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Had a productive 2022 over hurdles, winning 4 times, and further progress over fences last season, completing 4-timer in Summer Plate at Market Rasen. Winning run came to an end in Grand Sefton at Aintree, however, and struggled at Cheltenham last month.
**
Forward Plan
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball Jockey: Chad Bament Age: 9 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Likeable chaser who only just failed in this last season. Follows the exact same route this time around (much better for return when good third over C&D 6 weeks ago) and another very bold show could be on the way.
****
The Changing Man
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 8 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Progressive over hurdles but mixed record over fences last season. However, back to best when runner-up in Rehearsal Chase (behind Frero Banbou) at Newcastle and Silver Cup at Ascot last 2 starts and should go well again.
*****
Famous Bridge
Trainer: Nicky Richards Jockey: Sean Quinlan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Dual winner at Haydock last season before respectable fourth in Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham in March. Decent placed efforts both starts this term but did disappoint in this 12 months ago. Headgear applied.
***
Frero Banbou
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Ned Fox Age: 10 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Took advantage of reduced mark in Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle (by 1¼ lengths from The Changing Man), jumping well over the longest trip he’s faced. Beaten only by an unexposed one at Kempton since and remains unexposed at this distance. Player.
****
Sine Nomine
Trainer: Fiona Needham Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 9 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Confirmed herself one of the best hunters around when landing the Festival Challenge Cup at Cheltenham Festival (26.3f, heavy) last season. Let down by jumping both starts this term but remains an interesting runner with Brian Hughes taking over.
****
Young Buster
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: J. Hogan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Much improved sent chasing last term, completing hat-trick in a handicap at Kelso (22.3f) over a year ago. Just respectable efforts both starts this term 5 months apart but has been eased 1 lb. Not taken lightly.
***
Bowtogreatness
Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Ben Jones Age: 9 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Took advantage of career-low mark when finally off the mark over fences at Newbury, jumping boldly at the head of affairs. Added to patchy record when running poorly at Newcastle 3 weeks later but didn’t run too badly at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Headgear now applied.
***
Erne River
Trainer: Nick Kent Jockey: Tom Broughton Age: 10 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Responded well to first-time headgear when scoring over C&D 13 months ago before good fifth in this off 6 lb higher following month. Struggled over fences since but did at least show he retains ability back hurdling here last month. On a workable mark if building on that.
***
Docpickedme
Trainer: Richard Hobson Jockey: Charlie Maggs Age: 9 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Not the most consistent but ran best race for a while when close second of 14 to Charlie Uberalles over C&D 6 weeks ago and another good-value claimer takes over.
***
Idalko Bihoue
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Lightly raced since opening account over fences at Cheltenham and hindered by jumping errors when well-held in Grand Sefton at Aintree on return. However, ran better at Haydock since and return to further could suit. Yard has good record in this (3 wins, notably Young Hustler and Beau).
****
Snipe
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Took well to fences last term, winning handicaps around 3m at Southwell and Aintree. Solid runner-up efforts both starts this season, beaten only by a subsequent winner at Carlisle last time, so warrants respect.
****
Charlie Uberalles
Trainer: Dianne Sayer Jockey: Danny McMenamin Age: 9 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Ran a cracker when placed in this last year at huge odds and arrives at the top of his game having held off Docpickedme by a neck over C&D 6 weeks ago. Can give another good account.
***
Walking On Air
Trainer: Gary Brown Jockey: Richie McLernon Age: 8 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Dual-winning hurdler for Nicky Henderson and posted a career best when runner-up on chase debut at Newbury last December off much higher mark. Disappointing since, though, offering little in 3 starts for present connections.
**
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- An 11/4 NAP tops our trader’s Cheltenham tips for Saturday
- A 7/1 shout leads Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday
- Mick Fitzgerald’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday include an 11/2 play
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