2026 Masters Handicap Chase Betting Tips

Mr Vango enjoyed three successive wins between December 2024 and March 2025. These victories included a triumph in a National Handicap Chase at Sandown over three miles, four and a half furlongs. The horse demonstrated his staying power at Haydock in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase a year ago, with the latest effort being second at Aintree.

This came in December 2025 after a long absence from the track. Over three miles and two furlongs, the 9/2 favourite ran really well in the Becher Handicap Chase. Only a short head separated the horse from winner Twig, with that coming over the Grand National fences at Aintree. That was a decent effort over three miles and two furlongs.

Fortunate Man was a winner on his seasonal debut, with the seven-year-old running well for Jonjo O'Neill when claiming a success at Aintree on Boxing Day. Over three miles and one furlong, the horse was able to stay best of all to win by three lengths, with some of the previous showings also proving impressive including a fourth placed finish at Uttoxeter.

Pic Roc was a winner at Huntingdon in early November when beating three other runners, with the horse then fifth out of twenty-four horses in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase over three miles and two furlongs. Sent off as the 3/1 favourite in the Howden Silver Cup, a bad mistake four out led to him going backwards but he could return with a bang here.

2024 Masters Handicap Chase Tips

Blackjack Magic and Iron Bridge are among the top-weighted horses who are lining up in the Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase on Saturday, with the former having finished first and fourth in his two outings this season. Anthony Honeyball saddled the charge to a victory at Wincanton before a respectable performance at Ascot in the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

Iron Bridge should definitely be a runner for the shortlist, with the eight-year-old having finished second out of nineteen horses in the Coral Welsh Grand National. Despite finishing an enormous thirty-four lengths behind Nassalam, it was still a solid performance over three miles, six and a half furlongs on sticky ground.

Hudson De Grugy was third on his seasonal reappearance at Sandown Park on 8 December, with the horse held up in the rear before hitting the frame and perhaps different tactics will be deployed this time around. Animal has conversely raced on a number of occasions this season and this includes a win at Sandown at the beginning of December.

Most recently, the Suzy Smith-trained charge finished second in a handicap chase at Lingfield, with that coming after registering third out of ten runners at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. Castle Robin and Dom Of Mary are other horses to consider, with the latter having claimed a victory at Plumpton at the beginning of January.