14.50
HeavyPaul Barber Memorial Handicap Chase
- Prize money: £5967.53
- 2m 7f 3y
- Class 5
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
4/1 (Won)
- Win: £3.50
- Place: £1.40
Form: 4-8432 BF
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 79
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
6th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 54y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Has done well since joining Robert Walford and breezed home at Taunton (2m7f, heavy), gaining revenge on the horse who beat him the time before; a 7lb rise might not be too damaging and he goes on good to soft; could be hard to beat. |
8/13 |
|
1st 10 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Winning pointer; has made a positive start for the Robert Walford stable, including second to Bataillon over C&D on good to soft last time; likely to figure prominently again but seemingly outstayed by his reopposing rival on that occasion and today's ground conditions are likely to place even more emphasis on stamina. |
4/1 |
|
2nd 13 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Winning pointer; early days with this yard and as a chaser; close up in 2m5f/3m2f handicaps the last twice and looks a player. |
3/1 |
7/2
- Place: £2.40
Form: /2-641 CD
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
21st Apr 2026 Soft 2m 7f 177y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Unable to justify warm favouritism when well-held fourth at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month but will appreciate this ease in grade, and the form of his breakthrough win at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) has worked out well; big player if back on song. |
6/1 |
|
4th 9 |
5th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 30y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Beaten 13l into second at Taunton latest (2m7f, heavy) but still consolidated the form of his previous C&D win there (again under Jack Stenhouse) on ground closer to today's; shortlisted despite another 3lb rise. |
5/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Relished the step back up in trip when overhauling Ted The Thief from the last over C&D (good to soft) under Jack Stenhouse last month on just his second start over fences; today's ground (which he acts on) should place even more emphasis on stamina, which promises to suit him; gets the vote. |
7/2 |
25/1
- Place: £4.30
Form: 3-022P D
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 8lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 |
26th Mar 2026 Good 3m 6f 136y Class 4 |
10st 8lb |
Runner-up twice in December (2m7f and near 3m3f) but right out of form since, way behind Lightonthewing last time; headgear first time. |
25/1 |
10/1
Form: 7/29-6
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Only had seven races but has finished tailed off in both his chases after an absence, over 2m4f and 2m7f (both heavy; in cheekpieces last time); clearly needs to raise his game. |
13/2 |
|
4th 5 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Lightly raced gelding who already looked to be feeling the pinch when a bad mistake four out finished him off on his 2m4f Wincanton chase debut (heavy) a fortnight ago but that was his first outing for nearly 11 months so he's entitled to be sharper now; first-time cheekpieces are also added now stepping up in trip. |
10/1 |
|
6th 2 |
29th Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Lightly raced gelding who was beaten only 2l in one of his handicaps over hurdles (2m4f, soft); faces testing conditions on first run for nearly 11 months but he should make a chaser; respected. |
4/1 |
20/1
Form: P14174 CD
Last run: 26 days
W: 10st 5lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
16th Jul 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Five-time chase winner, most recently at Windsor (3m, good to soft) in the autumn; back on a good mark now but he's not easy to predict and has been pulled up on two of his last three outings (bled from the nose last time); others preferred. |
16/1 |
|
7 |
9th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Two more chase wins in 2025, the latest at Windsor (3m, good to soft; suited by good) in November; often battled with unsuitable ground over the winter but 4lb lower than at Windsor so has a weights chance. |
10/1 |
6/1
Form: 1/134- BF
Last run: 467 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
20th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 177y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Bumper/hurdle winner who won on only his second run over fences at Southwell (3m, good), cosily by 3l; good chance off 6lb higher but might not appreciate too much rain (good to soft would be acceptable). |
2/1 |
|
1st 4 |
1st Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Successful in a bumper (good) and course maiden hurdle (good to soft) in the first half of 2024; bettered that winning course form when twice reaching the frame over hurdles much later that year; pulled up when switched to fences for his comeback run at Taunton seven weeks ago but it's possible the heavy ground was against him given his form has come under less testing conditions. |
3/1 |
9/2
Form: 2-19U2
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 13lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 104
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 6 |
6th Jun 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Multiple hurdles winner at up to 3m2f, including on a sound surface; 0-6 over fences but went very close at Doncaster (3m2f, good to soft) in March having looked the likely winner; leading contender from an unchanged mark, if repeating that effort. |
9/2 |
|
2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 59y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Multiple hurdles winner at up to 3m2f, including on a sound surface; 0-6 over fences but went very close having looked the likely winner at Doncaster (3m2f, good to soft) latest; big player from an unchanged mark, if repeating that effort. |
13/8 |
|
2nd 2 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 1y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Two wins over hurdles last season (3m/3m2f, good/good to soft); has failed to finish in three of his five starts over fences, best run when second at Taunton in December (2m7f, good); could go well but a bit risky. |
13/2 |
9/2
Form: /19-41 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
15th Mar 2026 Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Only his third run over fences when forging clear at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in January; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he was only 9-2 when departing early at Taunton; seemingly on the upgrade. |
7/2 |
|
4 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
All the sharper for his Hereford reappearance when making it third time lucky over fences in 2m7f Huntingdon handicap (soft) three weeks ago, forging 15l clear; that resulted in a 10lb rise but he should remain competitive if in the same form. |
9/2 |
|
1st 5 |
22nd Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Temporary switch to front-running over a sharp 3m netted him a Southwell hurdle off this mark in May 2024 (soft), but rather lost in the crowd in big-field chases on only two starts since; tongue tie off. |
12/1 |
25/1
Form: -324F5 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 9lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
25th May 2026 Good To Firm 3m 1f 10y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Only 3lb higher than for her narrow C&D win on good ground in March and was odds-on favourite for her return to fences 18 days ago only to depart mid-race; she's probably the one to beat; usual cheekpieces are replaced by an eyeshield. |
4/6 |
|
2 |
7th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 129y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Three-time chase winner (once over C&D); lost her way over fences during the winter but battled well for narrow hurdle win here (3m1f, good; front pair well clear) in March and reverts to this code on a good mark. |
5/4 |
|
1st 1 |
18th Mar 2026 Good 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Three front-running chase wins in 2024, including over about 3m here; second of five at Ludlow in October but her chase form has gone to pot; latest hurdle performance (four starts back) gives her a place chance. |
8/1 |
11/1
Form: 34-P2P D BF
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 4lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 10 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 25y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Seemingly back in good nick when second over fences in December but two lacklustre efforts have followed and it's hard to predict whether this first hurdle run since 2023 will rekindle his enthusiasm. |
33/1 |
|
8 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Runner-up at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) in December but never going after an early mistake when pulled up at Ludlow since, taking his overall chase record to 1-18; first-time blinkers replace regular visor. |
11/1 |
|
6 |
15th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 171y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Just 1-17 over fences, and last time's 5l second at Wincanton (3m1f, soft; kept on but never threatened) owed something to the late exit of Anytrixwilldo; mark unmoved but Rian Corcoran claiming 2lb fewer this time. |
15/8 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £12.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £11.88 |
| Tricast | £158.30 |
| Trifecta | £117.80 |
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
BataillonThe Times:
Jongleur d'EtoilesTelegraph:
Call Me ArthurD Express:
Ted The ThiefDaily Record:
BataillonThe Guardian:
Jongleur d'EtoilesDaily Mirror:
Jongleur d'EtoilesThe Sun:
Call Me ArthurThe Star:
Call Me Arthur