13.25
SoftQuinnBet Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £5281
- 1m 7f 214y
- Class 4
- 4 runners
Runners: 4 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 123435 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 9lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 9 |
16th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 207y Class 3 |
10st 8lb |
Won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) last May and close third of six at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) in December; however, beaten 20l in fifth when upped in grade at Haydock (2m, good to soft) last month and remains in Class 3 company today; a career-best is required. |
12/1 |
|
5th 10 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 67y Class 3 |
10st 8lb |
Won on chase debut at Hexham (1m7f, good) last May and some good runs since, most recently close third of six at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) after a break; however, a career-best is needed now back up in grade. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /P-642
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 107
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
14th Feb 2026 Heavy 1m 7f 149y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
0-7 but he ran his best race so far when front-running second in a chase handicap at Taunton (2m, good to soft; cheekpieces added) last month; that was only his second run over fences and he's a big player if he can build on that. |
5/2 |
|
2nd 4 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 12y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Lightly raced 6yo who has had two races since returning from a year out and his handicap/chase debut at Bangor last time was forgettable; now in cheekpieces and others look safer. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 97-4U2
Last run: 12 days
W: 11st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 8y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
French hurdle winner in spring 2024; untidy round of jumping when fourth of six on chasing debut at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in November and unseated four out at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) last month; needs to polish up his jumping. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 75-41F D BF
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
5th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 149y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Early casualty behind Touquet two runs ago and 2m3f looked too far for him last time out, but he appeared value for a greater rise than 5lb for his Lingfield success (2m, good to soft; Touquet over 1l third) before all of that; remains of interest. |
4/1 |
|
3rd 3 |
9th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 3f 51y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Off the mark on third chase start when scoring at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December; fair run over this trip at Ffos Las on previous start but he fell last time out; a possible on earlier form. |
4/1 |
Verdict
This looks to be a tight little contest but preference is for HORS JEU to get off the mark over fences after being nabbed on the line at Hereford last time. He has most to fear from Jack Black who is also getting his act together over fences after finishing runner-up last time. A Great Excuse got off the mark over fences at Lingfield in December but fell last time and cannot be discounted. Willie Shake Hands won over fences at Hexham in May but was below his best last time and needs to bounce back. [Andrew Bladen]