16.05
Good To SoftWilliam Hill Extra Places With Bog ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £21784
- 3m 1f 0y
- Class 2
- 7 runners
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly sunny
5/1
Form: -110F3 C
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 5f 56y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Gained all three chase wins in small-field novice events last April-June; not beaten far when ninth of 28 in valuable Leopardstown handicap won by Favori De Champdou over Christmas (3m, yielding; wore usual cheekpieces) and seemed to be running well when falling at third-last fence in the Thyestes at Gowran (3m1f, heavy; blinkered) in January; has stamina to prove on cross-country debut but not ruled out; cheekpieces back on today. |
25/1 |
|
9 |
22nd Jan 2026 Heavy 3m 1f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Smart hurdler in his early days; all three chase wins recorded in small-field events between April and June last year; failed to prosper in Grade 3 events before livelier displays at Cheltenham and when fifth behind Answer To Kayf in the Troytown; no impact in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairhouse; no threat from the last when ninth in the Paddy Power. |
33/1 |
|
1 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 10lb |
Hit the ground running over fences with three wins in small fields (2m4f-2m7f) but now on a recovery mission after three blips, admittedly at Grade 3 level; would be a strong contender on these terms if back on song. |
5/1 |
11/4
Form: 52-1U8
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
11st 7lb |
Second in last season's Jack Richards Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft, 125-1); won a Kilbeggan beginners' chase in June, 2.25l in front of You Oughta Know; left two disappointing efforts behind when a creditable fourth of seven at Cheltenham in October (3m1f, good); back chasing after moderate hurdles run last time and Kennedy rides for the first time. |
16/1 |
|
8th 2 |
1st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Rallied well when 125-1 second in a 2m4f handicap chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival; he's since won a beginners chase in Ireland and ran respectably at Cheltenham last time on his second attempt at about 3m; needs to build on that in today's first hurdle race since August 2024. |
12/1 |
|
2 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Surprising that he appeared a non-stayer over 3m in last month's Kerry National as he looked all about stamina last season over 2m4f, including when a 125-1 second to Caldwell Potter in a handicap here in March; that's strong form and he's entitled to another chance at this trip. |
11/4 |
20/1
Form: 3-1403
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 16 |
25th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 80y |
10st 4lb |
Any horse in these colours worth a second look here, and one presumes this has been the plan; useful Flat and hurdles performer and won 2m6f hurdle on this card in 2024; held in novice company last year after winning on chase debut at Down Royal; third over inadequate 2m on handicap debut at Wexford; better for that run and ground and trip to suit, albeit he's up in grade a good bit. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
7th May 2026 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 0y |
11st 9lb |
Ground should be coming right for him now; probably needs further than this, and his lack of a recent run is a possible drawback. |
12/1 |
|
3 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Has won all sorts during his career, including one of his three chases; didn't run too badly when a well-held third in a 3m novice at Clonmel last time but looks to have a bit on his plate at these weights. |
20/1 |
9/4
Form: 11P8-1 C
Last run: 85 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16th 12 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Prevailed in a big field at Galway (2m6f, good) on chase debut but has failed to back up that form since and was particularly disappointing in October when bidding for a second win at the Cheltenham Showcase meeting; wears first-time headgear; less solid than others. |
50/1 |
|
26 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
10st 10lb
|
Reserve; won four times (once on good here) as a novice hurdler last season before pulling up at 14-1 in the 3m Grade 1 novice event here; won chase debut at the Galway festival (2m6f) last August but chase career has gone badly the wrong way since, latest start 11 days ago; returns to hurdling in first-time cheekpieces; next to no exposure in handicaps but low on the list. |
50/1 |
|
5th 2 |
28th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 0f 0y |
11st 1lb |
Four-time hurdles winner with a liking for a sound surface and staying trips; had the going in his favour when making a winning chase debut over 2m6f at the Galway festival last August; disappointing when well fancied for a 3m1f contest at Cheltenham in October; unseated at the first at Musselburgh early this month. |
33/1 |
6/1
Form: 1/221-
Last run: 218 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 1 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Good third to Lookaway in the bumper on this card four years ago; spoiled his chance with a couple of mistakes in the Cheltenham Festival handicap won by Grand National contender Johnnywho; however, he split that rival and Deep Cave for useful effort at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December and may resume his progress when jumping errors are avoided. |
11/1 |
|
5th 6 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Second-season chaser who is enjoying another progressive campaign, winning a novice here (3m1f, good) in October and beaten a head in a handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not disgraced in Grade 2 at Newbury (2m7f, heavy) last time; not ruled out each-way now back in a handicap. |
16/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Lightly raced for his age and best form when pipped in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on latest start; however, reportedly unsuited by the soft ground (his first race on it) when pulled up in a Listed novice chase at Cheltenham the time before and he has plenty to find against two of today's rivals on the ratings. |
14/1 |
14/1
Form: 13P0-4
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
25th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Eyecatching bumper form before finishing close up in a Grade 2 hurdle for previous yard; hasn't kicked on from an encouraging start for Gordon Elliott, his form tapering off last season after a first (2m) and second (2m6f) over hurdles; ran okay on chase debut at Sligo but no more than that and his jumping was a bit scruffy at times. |
14/1 |
|
6 |
1st Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 120y |
11st 12lb |
Bumper and maiden hurdle winner (beating Addragoole) last year was also fourth in a Grade 2 novice; pulled-up in a Leopardstown Grade 1 novice last February and was poor behind Barry Lyndon next time; needs his best on return/chasing debut. |
5/1 |
|
11th 6 |
22nd Feb 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Heavy-ground bumper winner last term; won over hurdles on stable debut at Galway (form has been franked) before a close-up third in Thurles novice hurdle; out of his depth in Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival but could be thrown in off 130 on handicap bow. |
13/2 |
5/1
Form: 8/442-
Last run: 218 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Contrasting performances since switched to handicap chases, winning narrowly at Sandown then folding tamely at Ascot, both over 3m; presents a dilemma but could have more to offer provided he's back on song and it's too soon to write him off. |
3/1 |
|
3 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 185y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Lightly raced 8yo who held on narrowly at Sandown (3m, good to soft; handicap chase debut) most recently, adding to his point/hurdle wins and posting a career-best performance; may be capable of further improvement in this sphere and commands respect. |
4/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £30.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £31.37 |
| Trifecta | £137.60 |
Selections
The Times:
Intense ApproachSPOTLIGHT:
AnywayWEST COUNTRY:
Welcom To CartriesPOSTDATA:
Leave Of AbsenceTelegraph:
Intense ApproachThe Guardian:
Intense ApproachDaily Mail:
Intense ApproachDaily Mirror:
Intense ApproachThe Star:
Welcom To CartriesD Express:
Leave Of Absence