13.30
SoftLuke Watson Memorial “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4901.4
- 2m 5f 55y
- Class 4
- 16 runners
Runners: 16 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
4/1 (Won)
- Win: £2.50
- Place: £1.30
Form: 3-234
Last run: 42 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 119
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 1f 125y Class 2 |
10st 9lb |
C&D winner in December 2024 (heavy; won on good) and made it 2-2 here when beating three rivals over 3m4f (good to soft) on reappearance; the glaring concern is his nothing run at Exeter last time when in trouble a long way out. |
15/2 |
|
2 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Seen only once this season, winning four-runner Haydock chase (3m4f, good to soft) from the front on stable debut in December, but was nudged up only 2lb for that and should be fine on the quicker surface here; respected. |
7/2 |
|
8 |
15th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 8y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Won well over Haydock's extended 3m1f on heavy two runs back; has failed to complete in his two previous marathon chases and was on the retreat, though still in third, when crashing out at the final fence of the Eider (good to soft); can run well again but others might be better equipped to see this out stronger; new cheekpieces the headgear of choice today (effective in visor/blinkers). |
20/1 |
4/6
- Place: £1.10
Form: 11-
Last run: 263 days
W: 11st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Relished step up in trip when winning C&D handicap (good to soft) in November and won the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) on his next two starts, with Strong Leader in second on both occasions; below par at Cheltenham on last two runs (good record there previously) and it was disconcerting that he was pulled up in the Stayers', but he's in the picture if back to his best. |
13/2 |
|
8 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Handicap runner-up at last year's Festival; made it 3-3 over staying trips in the Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in December; not seen to same effect when 7l second to Ma Shantou in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January but was conceding 6lb to the winner and the soft going perhaps wasn't ideal; could have a part to play if bouncing back to his best. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
A revelation this season since upped to staying trips, winning a handicap at Aintree (3m, good to soft) and enjoying further success in Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m, soft) and Grade 1 Long Walk at Ascot (3m, good to soft); beat Strong Leader by just over 1l last time and he's produced positive performances on both previous runs here; he's the one to beat. |
4/5 |
40/1
- Place: £7.10
Form: U
Last run: 67 days
W: 11st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
22nd Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 174y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Back from a break with a clearcut win over C&D (good to soft) in December and he's finished runner-up in three subsequent starts; up another 2lb but he had a near-miss at Market Rasen (2m7f) last time and this return to quicker ground is no problem (won a point on good to firm); respected. |
100/30 |
|
2nd 2 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Twice runner-up since his impressive Ludlow return (3m, good to soft) in December, coming clear with the winner over C&D last time (fourth and fifth have won since); up another 3lb, but likely to be bang there once again. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
16th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Returned from break with clear win at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) last month and was not discredited when close/clear second off same mark at Hereford (3m1f, good to soft) soon afterwards; 6lb higher now but still respected in current mood. |
7/1 |
25/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 6 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Prevailed in a Pertemps qualifier at Chepstow (2m7f, soft) to make it four wins from his last seven starts; building up a respectable strike-rate and the 9yo has certainly improved with age; not ruled out. |
12/1 |
|
1st 6 |
21st Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 131y Class 2 |
10st 9lb |
Two soft-ground wins last term and another at Newbury (3m) on reappearance; respectable third to King Of The Lake here but not so good at Warwick latest; needs to find extra and 7lb-claiming amateur (who rode a winner for the stable last Saturday) is recruited. |
9/1 |
|
6th 9 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
Good strike-rate (3-5) in 2025; creditable third at Chepstow (2m7f) last time and remains in form but is held by Royal Rambler on that effort and has perhaps reached his ceiling after climbing the weights. |
14/1 |
10/1
Form: 4
Last run: 55 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
2nd Mar 2025 Good 2m 3f 31y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Point runner-up who won a novice hurdle here (2m3f, good) in March 2023; however, he struggled on his two chase starts in late 2023 and it's been the same story over hurdles this winter, following an absence. |
14/1 |
|
7 |
12th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Well beaten in two chases in his only races last season and no show when he reverted to hurdling last month after a 406-day absence; hard to latch on to unless he's been strong in the market. |
25/1 |
|
5 |
25th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
always behind |
20/1 |
12/1
Form: 4
Last run: 17 days
W: 11st 1lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
19th Jul 2026 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 5 |
10st 10lb |
C&D winner last summer at the expense of Testflight who beat her next time in this race; another win on fast ground at Stratford soon after before a 20l defeat here; high in the weights now and she's been absent 11 months. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
30th Aug 2025 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Beat Testlight here in July but not in their rematch; bounced off the fast ground when winning well at Stratford 12 days ago to earn this 8lb higher mark; had some soft-ground form back in the day. |
13/8 |
100/1
Form: 60
Last run: 73 days
W: 11st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Ran better than finishing position suggests when fifth of seven in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in August but was quickly back in the doldrums over C&D last month and can't be relied upon. |
20/1 |
|
3 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Ran better than finishing position suggests when fifth of seven in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) in August but was quickly back in the doldrums over C&D last month and can't be relied upon. |
20/1 |
|
2 |
16th Sep 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Returned to form in new blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month, where he finished only fifth of seven but was right in the thick of things until fading after the last fence; still on a good mark; shortlisted. |
12/1 |
33/1
Form: —
Last run: 65 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 9 |
11th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who built upon his promising chasing debut when clearcut winner at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; unseated rider at first fence on next outing and was slightly disappointing when well-held fourth on latest appearance but should be fine on today's ground (point winner on good to firm) and remains of interest. |
4/1 |
|
1st 9 |
11th May 2024 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who built upon his promising chasing debut when clearcut winner at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; unseated rider at first fence on next outing and was slightly disappointing when well-held fourth on latest appearance but should be fine on today's ground (point winner on good to firm) and remains of interest. |
4/1 |
20/1
Form: 3/848-
Last run: 345 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
9th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 6f 125y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Below par in last two completed starts, then early faller latest; won off just 1lb lower at Taunton (2m7f) in December and a return to that form would put him in the picture. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
9th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 6f 125y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
pressed leader, led last (usual 2 out), headed home straight, kept on but no match for winner |
5/1 |
|
7 |
24th Apr 2024 Good 2m 5f 150y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Just lasted home in a 2m7f chase on good to soft here in December when only 1lb lower; nowhere near as good since then but returning here will be no bad thing (also finished fourth in this 12 months ago). |
5/1 |
100/1
Form: 70
Last run: 15 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
20th Mar 2025 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Won twice over hurdles in 2023 (July and October); missed 2024 and ran over fences on both starts for new yard this year, not disgraced on first occasion but tailed off on heavy latest; has a good mark if he's straight back to his peak returned to hurdles. |
9/1 |
|
4th 4 |
25th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 6f 151y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Signs of retaining ability, while seeming to need the run, at Ludlow (3m) this month on stable/seasonal debut and second chase attempt; may step up on that effort; nicely handicapped on best hurdles form. |
7/1 |
|
5th 8 |
5th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 171y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Pulled up in June 2023 on sole chase start and absent since that November; however, he's on a handy mark on his best hurdle form for Peter Bowen and he's one to watch in the betting on his stable debut. |
11/1 |
100/1
Form: 85-05
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
11th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Not beaten far when last of four in Warwick hunter chase (3m, good) last month but managed only fifth of seven in a subsequent point; back in a handicap chase for stable debut; quite tricky to weigh up at the moment; seems best suited by good ground. |
20/1 |
|
4th 2 |
9th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Sole success came over hurdles in June 2023; last of three finishers at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) in February and beaten three times in points since, including in a match; has his work cut out here. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
12th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 6f 151y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Sole win came over hurdles in June 2023 off a basement mark; he's up against it on his second start back from an absence. |
33/1 |
10/1
Form: 32-5
Last run: 59 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
27th Oct 2024 Good 2m 4f 35y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
in touch with leaders, slow jump and dropped to rear 1st |
8/1 |
|
7th 4 |
13th Jun 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Opened his account on second attempt over fences, over C&D (good; 20-1) 12 days ago, evidently suited by dropping back in distance; should go on from that and can follow up despite going back up 7lb. |
3/1 |
|
1st 7 |
1st Jun 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
0-6 over hurdles; lacked fluency and was well beaten when fitted with cheekpieces for recent chasing debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good); booking of Sean Bowen not enough to tempt today. |
14/1 |
33/1
Form: 1-6
Last run: 67 days
W: 11st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 |
17th Jun 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Won twice over hurdles in 2024 (2m5f/2m4f) but seemed badly to lose his way in spring 2025 and returned from 411-day absence with another poor run this month; drops back in trip with a lot to prove. |
25/1 |
|
6 |
6th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 1lb |
Has two wins over hurdles but was below his best in his last three starts, in 2025, and is still higher than his last winning mark; returns from a 411-day absence and may need to come down in the weights. |
25/1 |
|
9th 1 |
21st Apr 2025 Good 2m 3f 100y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces. |
16/1 |
66/1
Form: 9
Last run: 238 days
W: 11st 1lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 7 |
13th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 147y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Good-ground winner off 6lb lower last season and mostly running well this campaign over hurdles and fences; latest run in a handicap chase needs forgiving but couldn't rule out. |
5/1 |
|
8 |
16th Sep 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Stuck to her task pretty well at Cartmel (2m5f, good) last month and has now finished second on two of her last three starts but the forecast rain is probably not helpful here; tongue-tie left off today. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 8 |
23rd Aug 2025 Good 2m 5f 34y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Didn't really fire at Stratford last month and now 0-4 over fences but that run came just one week after a pretty good second there (2m3f, good to firm) and she's had a longer break this time; a possible. |
8/1 |
20/1
Form: 1-87
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
6th Jan 2023 Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Beat four rivals to win Warwick bumper (2m, good) in April; tongue tied, has not lived up to that in his two recent novice hurdles at Hereford, with some improvement over 2m last time but he needs much better. |
20/1 |
|
7th 2 |
21st Dec 2022 Soft 2m 0f 53y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Beat four rivals to win run-of-the-mill Warwick bumper (good ground) in April but was soundly beaten on last month's hurdling debut here (2m3f, soft; tongue tied) and others have more obvious claims. |
25/1 |
|
8th 6 |
23rd Nov 2022 Good To Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
4-1, won on his debut in a bumper at Warwick (2m, good) in April; he had just four rivals to beat but it was a promising start to his career and he's bred to be suited by this longer trip now hurdling; wears a first-time tongue-tie; respected. |
7/1 |
33/1
Form: P-F208
Last run: 56 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
20th Mar 2023 Good To Soft 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Encouraging 12l second in Worcester novice hurdle (2m, good) last October; might have run into a place but fell heavily at Sedgefield on penultimate start; didn't jump well when pulled up latest; bit to prove. |
16/1 |
|
5 |
10th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 7f 7y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
held up in last, sprawled on landing 4th, shaken up when not fluent 7th, soon ridden and got behind |
16/1 |
|
8 |
13th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 2m 3f 188y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Placed over hurdles in France in 2021 and chased home a good horse at Worcester (2m, good) in October but his two handicap runs in the autumn were very disappointing and he comes here with a fair bit to prove. |
12/1 |
Non-runners
These Happy Daze
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £6.20 |
| Straight Forecast | £4.01 |
| Trifecta | £81.00 |