13.55
Good To SoftTurners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £56270
- 2m 4f 0y
- Class 1
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
11/2 (Won)
- Win: £6.00
- Place: £1.80
Form: 211
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 7f 110y |
11st 10lb |
Won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle last year (2m4f, good); ended the season with second over C&D; all three runs this season in Grade 1s, third in the Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft), fifth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good), third behind Home By The Lee at Aintree; could be in the mix for Teahupoo's trainer. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 6 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle here 12 months ago (2m4f, good); just two runs in current campaign and they've been positive performances in Grade 1s, finishing third in the Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) and fifth in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m, good); this lightly raced 6yo could have more to offer back here in a first-time tongue-tie; chance. |
3/1 |
|
5th 7 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Stayed on well to win 2m4f Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (good) last April and suited by the step up in trip when close second in Grade 1 at Punchestown (3m, yielding) later that month, when clear with Jasmin De Vaux who was impressive in the Albert Bartlett here previously; promising third behind Impose Toi in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December on sole run this winter, and this very lightly raced 6yo has the potential to take high rank in the staying hurdle division. |
13/2 |
5/1
- Place: £2.60
Form: 1-1421 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Nephew of Denman; has been a constant work in progress and pretty much lost the plot without a hood when third to Wendigo at Newbury (good to soft) in November; won a match on soft the following month but couldn't contain Miami Magic when second at Cheltenham in January; highly creditable third in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (also about 2m4f, good; Golden Dancer second, Jordans Cross eighth) last month, however, and now goes up in trip with something deeper possibly lurking inside him. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 4 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Nephew of Denman; unraced on heavy, acts on any other ground; cost £660,000 at a dispersal sale at one point, proved a smart novice hurdler and has picked up C&D experience (latest start) en route to this prize, making him virtually a carbon copy of last year's winner Caldwell Potter for the same connections; has a broadly solid overall record to boot, including form figures of 312 since switched to fences, and likely remains capable of further progress; very strong credentials. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 11 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Not the easiest to settle and although 2-4 in this sphere he was turned over in an Exeter Listed race (2m, good to soft) in February before finding a soft option at Wincanton; needs improvement for the fitting of a hood but that's not impossible. |
5/1 |
25/1
- Place: £3.50
Form: 2-19
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
11st 11lb |
The fact Townend picks him from the stable's eight runners is a very big positive; maiden hurdle winner placed in Grade 1 novice company at Aintree last term (2m4f, good); beaten favourite in opening two chase runs before making the breakthrough at Cork (2m1f, yielding) last time, when defeating Wingmen by 0.75l; big player with further improvement plausible. |
11/2 |
|
1st 1 |
5th Apr 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 45y |
11st 12lb |
Classy hurdler won a Clonmel 2m1f maiden before a close third in an Aintree Grade 1 novice over 2m4f last season; was an unlucky loser on second chase start at Gowran last time behind a stablemate; down in trip and a big player. |
Evs |
|
2nd 3 |
22nd Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 0y |
11st 12lb |
One of three for stable; highly tried after an easy Clonmel maiden hurdle win and emerged with much credit when third in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree; only third when odds-on at Naas on chasing debut; finished 2l behind longer-priced stablemate King Alexander; Paul Townend keeps faith. |
2/1 |
5/1
Form: 11-231 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Non-stayer (shaped better than the bare result) in the 3m1f Brown Advisory at Cheltenham having surprisingly swerved the 2m4f Jack Richards option; broadly progressive otherwise and scored by a wide margin at Leopardstown (2m5f, yielding) the time before, recording a very useful RPR; ran well in the Mersey over hurdles at this meeting 12 months ago; remains of major interest, back down in distance. |
5/2 |
|
6th 6 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Second to Romeo Coolio and Oscars Brother on first two chase starts before impressing when winning an often-indicative race at Leopardstown over Christmas (extended 2m5f, yielding) by 21l; looked a leading contender for a handicap this week but yard instead opts to tackle this Grade 1. |
15/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 192y |
11st 12lb |
French bumper winner much improved on third attempt hurdling last term when readily landing 2m4f Leopardstown maiden in March (yielding); followed that up with good fourth in Grade 1 Aintree novices' at same trip (rated 137); potentially smart novice chaser and likely major player. |
5/2 |
11/4
Form: /11-11 C
Last run: 36 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Performed below expectations in Aintree 2m4f Grade 1 last time but was unbeaten previously and remains of interest; good chance at this level, provided he stays the new trip. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
23rd Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 207y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
towards rear |
6/1 |
|
5th 6 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Has won all five starts, including the Grade 2 bumper (good to soft) on this card last year; has made an excellent transition to hurdles, jumping confidently when not turning a hair at Newbury (2m4f, soft) on latest start; looks more than ready for a go in Graded company as a hurdler. |
11/4 |
22/1
Form: 113
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Moved to Alan King after Ayr bumper win and he found the most on hurdle debut at Sandown (2m, soft) against a rival who showed up well at the Cheltenham Festival next time; just a respectable effort in Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) last month suggests he's highly tried here. |
22/1 |
|
6th 1 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Moved to Alan King after Ayr bumper win and he found the most on hurdle debut at Sandown (2m, soft) against a rival who showed up well at the Cheltenham Festival next time; just a respectable effort in Grade 2 at Kelso (2m2f, good to soft) last month suggests he's highly tried here. |
22/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
1st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 2f 25y Class 1 |
11st 5lb |
Easily won bumper at Ayr (2m, good) in November and made it 2-2 when scoring on hurdle/stable debut at Sandown (2m, soft) in January; beat some talented yardsticks last time and he's firmly in calculations. |
3/1 |
7/1
Form: 21122 BF
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Prominent-racer whose flop over hurdles at this meeting last year can be forgiven; scored on his third start over fences when beating Regent's Stroll by 4l at Cheltenham (about 2m4f, good) in January; jumping left plenty to be desired when third in Sandown Grade 1 later that month, however, and the race he won at Newbury (about 3m, good to soft) last time fell apart; he wasn't always fluent that day either but a clear round puts him on the premises. |
5/1 |
|
1st 1 |
27th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
11st 8lb |
Fine on good and soft ground; Grade 1 placed over hurdles and this Cheltenham chase winner did well to finish within 7l of the smart Sixmilebridge in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f) as he can jump a lot better than he did that day on soft ground; every chance that he'll be able to give weight and a beating to these, provided he stays this longer trip. |
4/6 |
|
3rd 2 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 15y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Appears to act on soft ground, unraced on heavy; has steadily found his feet since switched to chasing and registered a 4l success at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) most recently; further improvement is possible but certainly needed; has the worst chance on bare ratings. |
14/1 |
16/1
Form: 13-233
Last run: 62 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 4 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Close third to Horaces Pearl in the Grade 2 bumper here last April; no match for Regent's Stroll on hurdle debut at Newbury and although he's been a creditable third in two Grade 1s since, on this track and at Leopardstown, he has his work cut out here and the drying ground spells danger. |
16/1 |
|
8th 4 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Close third to Horaces Pearl in the Grade 2 bumper here last April; no match for Regent's Stroll on hurdle debut at Newbury and although he's been a creditable third in two Grade 1s since, on this track and at Leopardstown, he has his work cut out here and the drying ground spells danger. |
16/1 |
8/1
Form: 1-216
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 139
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
Found wanting at Grade 1 level over hurdles last season; much more accomplished as a chaser; beat a long odds-on stablemate in Thurles beginners' event; beat Jacob's Ladder readily here in January in a Grade 3 race in which Predators Gold gave a below-par display; failed to cope with Fleur In The Park at Fairyhouse. |
7/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Found wanting at Grade 1 level twice after maiden hurdle win last season; much more accomplished as a chaser; jumped well when beating a long odds-on stablemate in Thurles beginners' event in November; had no trouble with a rise in class at Punchestown, beating Jacob's Ladder readily in a race in which Predators Gold and Pure Steel gave below-par displays. |
7/2 |
Non-runners
Fingle Bridge, Lulamba, Moon Phases
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £38.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £48.60 |
| Tricast | £512.32 |
| Trifecta | £696.80 |