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The Thyestes Handicap Chase is one of the most prestigious staying contests on the National Hunt calendar. It’s often a pointer towards Grand National success as last year’s hero Nick Rockett became the third winner to subsequently bag the Aintree prize.

Carrying a mighty weight of 11st 11lbs to victory was a potential pointer towards the gelding’s future success and it continued trainer Willie Mullins’ recent dominance in the Gowran Park feature. The Closutton master has saddled four of the last seven winners.

The all-conquering handler fires five darts at Thursday’s 15:30 including last season’s Scottish Grand National scorer Captain Cody, who will be ridden by Paul Townend. Can he follow in Nick Rockett’s hoofsteps?

Find Thyestes Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and app. Otherwise, key historical trends from the last 10 renewals and tips based off the big-race stats are below.

Thyestes Handicap Chase 2026 trends

RATING

10/10 were rated 137 or higher

Better Times Ahead (131), Conyers Hill (135) and Will Do (134) all fall short on official ratings and might lack the class to challenge for the victory, according to the handicapper.

CHASE FORM

9/10 had at least one win over fences

Now Is The Hour remains a maiden over the larger obstacles and is the latest to be scrubbed from calculations. It’s a further mark against Will Do, who has failed to score in 12 chase outings.

9/10 had no more than 16 starts over fences

Velvet Elvis (18) and Yeah Man (18) might have had too many tries in chases and there could be more horses with fewer miles on the clock.

DISTANCE FORM

9/10 had no more than nine runs over 2m7f or further

Search For Glory (12) and Spanish Harlem (10) could be exposed at staying trips. Velvet Elvis (18), Will Do (15) and Yeah Man (16) are also highly tried over long distances.

LAST TIME OUT

9/10 had no more than 49 days off the track

Answer To Kayf (67), High Class Hero (61) and Quai De Bourbon (67) are all returning from lengthy breaks. Better Times Ahead (53) and Spanish Harlem (54) are also back for the first time in a while.

WEIGHT

9/10 carried 11st 8lbs or lower

The horses towards the head of the handicap are the latest to fall by the wayside including Captain Cody (11st 10lbs), Intense Raffles (11st 11lbs) and Jordans (11st 10lbs).

SEASON FORM

8/10 had not won that term

Pied Piper‘s been on the go all campaign and scored over fences in May and June.

Thyestes Handicap Chase 2026 trends verdict

A trio of unfancied runners in the antepost betting emerge as the trends picks. HARRY DES ONGRAIS attempts to hand Henry de Bromhead a third victory in the prestigious race.

SHANBALLY KID bids to become Willie Mullins’ 11th winner in the race. He will not perform better after placing 11th in the Paddy Power Chase on seasonal reappearance.

SHECOULDBEANYTHING looks to claim the spoils for Gordon Elliott for the third time in his training career. She was third in last summer’s Galway Plate.

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