13.35
SoftBetGoodwin Alan King EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £8985.9
- 2m 4f 114y
- Class 3
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 92-145
Last run: 30 days
W: 12st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
21st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 52y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Won his final race in France last May (2m2f, very soft); hard to warm to on what he's shown in Britain, in 2m/2m3f handicaps and a 2m1f novice; reservations for now. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
26th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 1f 162y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Left France after a 2m2f win on very soft last May; tailed off here on his British debut at Fontwell and although his fifth of six at Sandown (2m, soft) next time in another handicap was more like it, he'll need much better to win this; the tongue-tie and cheekpieces worn in France remain absent. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
26th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 1f 162y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Left France after a 2m2f win on very soft last May; tailed off here on his British debut at Fontwell and although his fifth of six at Sandown (2m, soft) next time in another handicap was more like it, he'll need much better to win this; the tongue-tie and cheekpieces worn in France remain absent. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: U123 C
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 10 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 210y Class 3 |
10st 5lb |
Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) in May 2024 but was well held in a Plumpton handicap (2m4f) in his final run last season; still lightly raced but this looks a tough starting point over fences and he has stamina to prove at this new trip. |
11/2 |
|
7th 8 |
21st Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 114y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing. |
33/1 |
|
7th 8 |
21st Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 114y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Won a 2m maiden on good ground here last May and ran another good race to be fourth on handicap debut at Windsor three months ago (2m4f, soft); he doesn't look ahead of his mark but he's not had a lot of racing. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 023-71
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Finished 18l behind Lulamba in the Arkle but may fare better in this rematch, with the return to further a likely plus; readily bagged Grade 2 honours at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) the time before, enhancing his good strike-rate when racing beyond 2m. |
9/1 |
|
4th 2 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Bled from nose when well held behind Steel Ally at Ascot just before Christmas but otherwise he's made a fine start to his chasing career, winning a handicap at Sandown (1m7f, soft) and Grade 2 novice at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) on last two starts; needs a chunk of improvement to trouble the principals but he's straightforward, tactically versatile and a sound jumper. |
20/1 |
|
1st 2 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Bled from the nose at Ascot just before Christmas but otherwise he's made a fine start to his chasing career, winning handicap at Sandown (1m7f, soft) three weeks ago in clearcut style; just as effective at 2m4f and sets the standard for the others to aim at. |
4/6 |
Abandoned
Form: 31-1
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 203y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Has won two of his four chases since joining Olly Murphy and impressed over C&D (soft) in February; an 8lb rise appeared to anchor him in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham, though good ground could have been another factor in him being below par (seems ideally served by softer); respected but one or two others appeal more. |
9/2 |
|
7th 16 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 8lb |
Campaigned mostly on soft/good to soft; bumper/hurdles winner for Paul Nicholls; record of 121 (over 2m4f) since joining new yard and switched to chasing, both wins gained in comfortable fashion, latest at Haydock; could make some waves in these deeper waters, being a lightly raced and improving contender. |
12/1 |
|
1st 6 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 3 |
11st 5lb |
A fairly useful bumper/hurdles winner for Paul Nicholls; has looked an improved model sent chasing for his new handler this winter, scoring easily at Southwell (2m4f) before a clear second of six in 2m4f Leicester handicap 48 days ago; up 4lb but he has more to offer and merits serious consideration. |
100/30 |
Abandoned
Form: 2 BF
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
19 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 104y |
10st 2lb |
Improved for going chasing this season, winning 3m Newbury handicap and better again when clear second at Uttoxeter over same trip, both on soft ground; potentially still well-handicapped and could go well if handling better ground. |
7/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 10y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Broadly in good form since switched to chasing and comfortably justified favouritism at Newbury (2m7f, soft) most recently, opening his rules account; may build on that success and show further improvement. |
11/4 |
|
1st 9 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
10st 13lb |
A little below his best when a 14l fourth at Windsor (2m6f, soft) but still ran fine and commands considerable respect on his previous runs, over 2m4f at Southwell (soft) and 3m1f at Cheltenham (good to soft); only a 7yo and still early days over fences. |
15/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 3364
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 170y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
0-4 over fences this term but far from disgraced on a couple of starts and ran respectably when fourth back over hurdles at Plumpton (3m1f, good) last month; yet to win in handicap company but drops in class returned to fences and warrants respect. |
7/2 |
|
4th 8 |
19th Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Record of 0-4 switched to fences this term, albeit far from disgraced on two occasions; 2-6 over hurdles and finished a creditable second at Plumpton (2m4f) last April in most recent attempt; each-way possibilities. |
9/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Younger than most of these and posted a career best when second at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February; stiffer task in C&D non-handicap next time; unexposed over this trip and beyond, and drying ground may suit (last win came on good); definitely of interest in first-time headgear. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
9th Mar 2026 Good 3m 1f 157y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who launched chasing career with two good efforts, latterly when second to Felton Bellevue over C&D (soft) in February; ran in snatches and was disappointing over hurdles here a fortnight ago but might travel better in first-time cheekpieces today and could still have potential over fences. |
11/4 |
|
5th 3 |
23rd Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Lightly raced maiden over hurdles who has showed improved form since switched to fences on last two starts; not yet fully exposed and reverts to hurdles off what may prove to be a workable mark. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: P3-22
Last run: 31 days
W: 10st 11lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 3m 0f 70y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Untested at this trip under rules but there have been hints that she'll stay this far; in good form against fellow mares this winter prior to tailing off in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last month; takes on her own sex today and it will be no surprise to see a bold showing. |
8/1 |
|
12th 20 |
7th Mar 2026 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Having shown some good form in defeat in handicaps (on various ground) she made the breakthrough in this sphere in a small-field, mares-only race at Exeter (2m, heavy) a fortnight ago; had 5l to spare but she'll need to be better than ever to follow up in this much more competitive contest. |
33/1 |
|
1st 1 |
20th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 161y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Sole win over hurdles came in a mares' novice at Lingfield (2m, soft) a year ago and she's still seeking her first handicap success, though she has posted some solid placed efforts, latest when a good second at Windsor (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; return to heavy ground will pose no problem and she's sure to be involved. |
7/4 |
Verdict
Bumper winner THE BLUESMAN won on his hurdle debut at Chepstow in November and could have plenty more to offer for Paul Nicholls. He earns the vote ahead of point winner As The Fella Says, who is open to improvement on his second hurdle start. Impressive Doncaster winner Jax Junior is next on the list ahead of course scorer Illegal d’Ainay.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
RP RATINGS:
As The Fella SaysSPOTLIGHT:
The BluesmanPOSTDATA:
Game ColoursTOPSPEED:
As The Fella SaysLAMBOURN:
As The Fella SaysThe Times:
As The Fella SaysD Express:
As The Fella SaysDaily Mirror:
As The Fella SaysThe Sun:
As The Fella SaysThe Star:
As The Fella SaysDaily Record:
As The Fella SaysWEST COUNTRY:
The BluesmanTelegraph:
Game Colours