William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase |
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| Grade 3 Handicap Chase 15:15 Haydock Park £100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1  |
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1 Grand Geste 13/2
2 Top Of The Bill 22/1
3 Neo King 16/1
11 ran Distances: 1¾l, 1l, nse
Time: 7m 46.27s (slow by 22.27s)
Grand Geste captures the @WillHillRacing Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase pic.twitter.com/cwu7YAivHA
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) February 14, 2026
Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith enjoyed a welcome return to form as Grand Geste claimed victory here.
The seven-year-old was keenly fancied at 5/2 for the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster last time, but that promise went unrealised when his race came to an abrupt end before the 12th fence. It was a rare blot on his recent record, having previously impressed when landing the Tommy Whittle Chase over this same course and distance.
Back on more familiar territory, the grey looked a different proposition. Partnered by Danny McMenamin, he jumped with assurance throughout, settling just off the early pace. Gradually edging closer as the field swung for home, he moved smoothly into contention and, when asked to go and win his race, found enough to repel the late thrust of Top Of The Bill, scoring by one and three-quarter lengths.
Top Of The Bill stayed on strongly to claim second, while Myretown, the 3/1 favourite, once again failed to see things out. Having moved into the lead as the field began the long run towards the finish, he weakened markedly and was pulled up in the closing stages.
Deafening Silence briefly looked a danger after taking over under Harry Skelton, but he was caught on the line for third by Neo King.
In the aftermath, Paddy Power cut Grand Geste to 16/1 from 33/1 for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a reflection of a performance that marked him out as a horse firmly back on track.
Grand National Trial
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Grand Geste 7 10-12 Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith Danny McMenamin 13/2
2 1¾ Top Of The Bill 10 12-0 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Toby McCain-Mitchell 22/1
3 1 Neo King 8 10-2 Evan Williams James Turner 16/1
4 nse Deafening Silence 9 11-2 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 7/1
5 1 Git Maker 10 10-12 Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan 12/1
6 1½ Grand Albert 8 10-5 Donald McCain Sean Bowen 17/2
7 ½ Monbeg Genius 10 11-11 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr 8/1
8 hd Richmond Lake 10 11-5 Donald McCain Brian Hughes 12/1
PU
Myretown 9 11-11 Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore Derek Fox 3/1F
PU
Rivers Corner 8 10-10 Joe Tizzard Freddie Gingell 9/1
PU
Holokea 7 10-7 Mickey Bowen James Bowen 6/1
Grand National Trial Winners
2025 - FAMOUS BRIDGE (6/1)
2024 - YEAH MAN (9/2J)
2023 - QUICK WAVE (18/1)
2022 – BRISTOL DE MAI (11/2)
2021 - LORD DU MESNIL (8/1)
2020 – SMOOTH STEPPER (33/1)
2019 – ROBINSFIRTH (8/1)
2018 – YALA ENKI (8/1)
2017 – VIEUX LION ROUGE (8/1)
2016 – BISHOPS ROAD (13/2)
2015 – LIE FORRIT (8/1)
2014 – RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (16/1)
2013 – WELL REFRESHED (9/2 fav)
2012 – GILES CROSS (4/1 fav)
2011 – SILVER BY NATURE (10/1)
2010 – SILVER BY NATURE (7/1)
2009 – RAMBLING MINSTER (18/1)
2008 – MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (17/2)
2007 – HELTORNIC (12/1)
2006 – OSSMOSES (14/1)
2005 – FOREST GUNNER (12/1)
2004 – JURANCON II (10/1)
2003 - SHOTGUN WILLY (10/1)
