The Old Roan Chase runners will see just seven horses heading to post – but these include last year’s first, second and third – Minella Drama, Hitman and Ahoy Senor – who are back to renew their rivalry.
However, they are all taking on a horse that has won three times at Aintree and comes from a yard that boasts a 44% SR with their chasers at the Liverpool venue.
Old Roan Chase Runners Sees Last Year’s 1-2-3 Return.
We only saw five Old Roan Chase runners in 2024, but were still treated to a decent finish – with Minella Drama coming out on top.
This Donald McCain runner is back rated a pound lower and has to be considered again, despite now being a year older at 10.
He will tak on the 2024 second Hitman and third Ahoy Senor again too – as both remain along with two former course winners Imperial Saint, Boombawn and Master Chewy, plus big outsider in the betting Knockanore.
Old Roan Chase Tips: Imperial Saint To Conquer Aintree
On Sunday we’ve another small but select field for the Old Roan Chase, with some old faces are still expected to line-up.
As mentioned, last year’s winner Minella Drama is back for more and looks fair value rated a pound lower this time. He was also a close second in 2023.
But he rather lost his way after taking this – running three times more and being pulled-up twice.
He’ll be looking to become the first repeat winner since the popular grey Monet’s Garden won this prize three times between 2007 and 2010.
On a plus, he’s a horse we know loves Aintree and goes well fresh – so is hard to discount from calculations with Brian Hughes, who has won three of the last six Old Roan Chases, riding again.
Mr silver medalist Hitman was only 1 3/4 lengths back in second last year and is rated 4lbs lower this time.
He had Freddie Gingell on last year claiming 3lbs too, but this year the same rider is unable to claim.
He’s not won since 2022 though – and is on a 14-race losing run, which has to be the worry despite the dropping mark.
Last year’s third Ahoy Senor could be back too.
If you remember, he was subject to a lot of scrutiny after looking all over the winner after jumping the last – but in the end only managed third and beaten 2 1/4 lengths.
But is another hard horse to win with.
He’s 13 races without success – with his last win coming in the 2023 Cotswold Chase.
Imperial Saint Is 3-From-4 At Aintree and Goes Well Fresh
Another horse, however, we know loves this Liverpool track is IMPERIAL SAINT – and he looks the most progressive.
He’s won at Aintree three times and was second in his only other outing here. Which came in the G3 Freebooter Handicap Chase at the National meeting last April.
Trained by Hobbs and White, Imperial Saint is still only aged 7 so should have more to come and has also won first time out for the last two seasons.
Meaning the 204-day absence isn’t too much of a worry so a yard that also boast a cracking 44% SR at Aintree with their chasers.
Of the rest, the Dan Skelton yard won this in 2021 and try again with Boombawn.
While Master Chewy represents the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies yard that took this race in 2008.
Both are proven course winners here at Aintree too so will certainly have their backers.
Old Roan Chase Tips
🥇IMPERIAL SAINT
🥈MINELLA DRAMA
🥉HITMAN
Old Roan Chase Race Time, Date and Prize Money
📅Date: Sunday 26th October 2025
⌚Time: 2:20pm
🏇Racecourse: Aintree
💰Winning Purse: £45,560.00
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
Old Roan Chase Runners and Betting 2025
- Ahoy Senor (Lucinda Russell) 15/2
- Boombawn (Dan Skelton) 4/1
- Hitman (Paul Nicholls) 15/2
- Imperial Saint (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White) 7/4
- Knockanore (Ryan Potter) 25/1
- Master Chewy (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies) 3/1
- Minella Drama (Donald McCain) 8/1
Note: Odds subject to change
Old Roan Chase To Be Shown On ITV Racing
After a busy week, the ITV Racing cameras will also be at Aintree racecourse this Sunday to show the Old Roan Chase.
Oli Bell will present the afternoon action – with analysis from former top jockeys Mick Fitzgerald and Tom Scudamore. While commentary will come from Mark Johnson.
In addition, to Aintree, the ITV Racing team will also be showing two races from Fontwell, with Wincanton off and are at Galway too – see their Sunday 26th October coverage here below.
- 1:30 Fontwell – Pertemps Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-140) 3m2f ITV
- 1:50 Aintree – William Hill Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 7 Of The Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series Cl2 (9yo+ 0-150) 3m1f ITV
- 2:00 Galway – Brasserie On The Corner Handicap Chase (4yo+) 2m6½f ITV
- 2:05 Fontwell – Pertemps Network Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145) 2m3½f ITV
- 2:20 Aintree – William Hill Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) Gbb Race) Cl1 2m4f ITV
- 2:35 Galway – Front Door Handicap Chase (4yo+) 2m6 1/2f ITV
- 2:55 Aintree – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle (Gbb Race) Cl3 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV
- 3:30 Aintree – William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Hurdle (Gbb Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV
Old Roan Chase Trends – Put History On Your Side
See below the key Old Roan trends and stats to apply to the 2025 running of the big Aintree race. These will help find the best profiles based on past winners of the race.
Including that we’ve only seen one winning favourite in the last 11 years.
While trainer Paul Nicholls (Hitman) needs just one more winner to become the winning-most stable in the history of the race.
He’s currently tied with Nicky Richards (no runner in 2025) on three wins.
- 19/21 – Won over 2m4f (or further) (fences)
- 16/21 – Raced at Aintree before
- 16/21 – First run of the season
- 12/21 – Won by a horse aged 9 or older
- 12/21 – Carried 11-1 or less
- 12/21 – Ran at either Aintree (6) or Cheltenham (6) last time out
- 11/21 – Won by an Irish bred horse
- 6/21 – Won at Aintree in the past
- 4/21 – Official rating between 165 and 168
- 3/21 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
- 3/21– Favourites (1 joint)
- 3/21 – Ridden by Brian Hughes (3 of the last 6)
- 2/21 – Won by a past winner
- The average winning SP in the last 21 runnings is 8/1
- Just one winning favourite in the last 11 runnings
Old Roan Chase Recent Winners (Last 10 Years)
- 2024 – Minella Drama (3/1)
- 2023 – Jetoile (25/1)
- 2022 – Riders Onthe Storm (16/1)
- 2021 – Allmankind (9/4 fav)
- 2020 – Nuts Well (18/1)
- 2019 – Forest Bihan (9/2
- 2018 – Frodon (9/2)
- 2017 – Smad Place (12/1)
- 2016 – Third Intention (5/1)
- 2015 – Sound Investment (7/1)
