13.20
SoftSeren Skills Network Ltd Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £5016.95
- 2m 0f 104y
- Class 4
- 14 runners
Runners: 14 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 5616-0 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 12st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 6 |
25th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 0f 11y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off |
12/1 |
|
1st 2 |
7th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 0f 104y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Won a six-runner handicap at Wincanton (2m4f, good) last March and is now 2lb lower; however, he was down the field on his final run last season (2m5f, good) and tailed off on his reappearance at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in December; this 10yo needs to get back on track. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 61-830
Last run: 25 days
W: 12st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
7th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 42y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Versatile sort who won over 2m4f here on reappearance and has performed respectably over marathon trips since; stiff task from 4lb out of handicap last time; not ruled out back off proper mark. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -33415 CD
Last run: 21 days
W: 12st 1lb
8 yo Mare
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
9th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 70y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Runner-up five times last season but not at best when well-held fourth at Taunton (2m, soft) in March; pulled up after a bad early mistake at Kempton last month. |
5/1 |
|
5th 1 |
9th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 70y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
led, pressed leader when headed 2nd, led last (usual 2 out), headed home turn, weakened final 110yds |
5/1 |
|
4 |
22nd Apr 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
midfield, bad mistake and almost fell 3rd, soon pulled up quickly |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 162-23
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 85y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Yet to win in seven chase attempts and most of his form is on slow ground, yet it was good to soft when third in the Red Rum at Aintree in April (2m) and good when beaten only 2l at Sandown later that month (2m4f); every chance off this mark if he's on the ball after his break. |
10/1 |
|
2nd 4 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 85y Class 1 |
10st 11lb |
Yet to win in seven chase attempts and most of his form is on slow ground, yet it was good to soft when third in the Red Rum at Aintree in April (2m) and good when beaten only 2l at Sandown later that month (2m4f); every chance off this mark if he's on the ball after his break. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 10y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Has raced only on softer than good; 2m3f hurdle winner in France in May 2023; minor honours in six of seven British starts, the exception when he bled here on penultimate outing; rallying third of 14 under Tom Broughton at Aintree (2m) latest and may now be worth this second attempt at about 2m4f. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 13-312 D
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 11lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
25th May 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 51y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him. |
11/8 |
|
3rd 2 |
25th May 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 51y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
Has come good off his much reduced mark and a 4lb rise for Hereford last time is more than fair (2m, good); one of his career-best runs was on soft so rain won't bother him. |
11/8 |
Abandoned
Form: 4161-P
Last run: 51 days
W: 11st 11lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 5 |
16th Jul 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
6-16 over fences, the latest win gained in this race a year ago (soft ground; also suited by good); returned from seven-month with encouraging run a fortnight ago and should now be teed up to defend his crown. |
16/1 |
|
4 |
1st Jul 2025 Good To Firm 2m 3f 98y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Has a good strike-rate over fences (6-15), latest win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) nearly a year ago; not at his best late last year on last two starts; now only 1lb above that win and Finn Lambert's claim will help, but needs to bounce back after his break. |
16/1 |
|
9 |
3rd Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 88y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Already has six chase wins under his belt but he hasn't been quite on song since the latest of them, at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in July; will do well to add to his haul in this race. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P47-32 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
21st Feb 2023 Good 2m 3f 34y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
2m hurdle winner (good) when with Olly Murphy; competitive on his first two starts for this trainer at Worcester and Leicester (both 2m chases, good); didn't appear to get home back over hurdles at Doncaster (2m3f, good) latest; drops 2lb and returns to chasing with stamina still to prove. |
11/4 |
|
6th 7 |
28th Jan 2023 Good 2m 3f 88y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Won a juvenile hurdle in 2021 (2m, good) and has run pretty well for this yard on first two chase starts, most recently staying on for second of four at Leicester (2m, good); the step up in trip could be a positive now back over hurdles and there's every chance he'll be thereabouts. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 225972 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 3 |
4th Jun 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back. |
11/2 |
|
9th 3 |
4th Jun 2025 Good 2m 0f 167y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Four-time hurdle winner on slow ground, including over C&D (raced prominently in first-time visor) in April; below par at Ffos Las (2m, good) latest, after a 5lb rise; each-way claims if he can bounce back. |
11/2 |
|
8th 2 |
6th May 2025 Good 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
pressed leader, chased clear leader after 2nd |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -52211 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
26th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Close second of 16 at Taunton (3m, good) in December, after a break, and again ran well in defeat at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January; more exposed than some of these but still respected. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 16-95 D
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
8th Jul 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
took keen hold, held up in rear |
12/1 |
|
9 |
13th Feb 2023 Good 2m 3f 66y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
One of two runners on the card for Wiltshire-based Milton Harris; successful on Flat in Germany and over hurdles in France; only a minor player in two British runs but this appears an easier task, especially as he's been dropped another 4lb; improvement looks on the cards. |
5/1 |
|
6th 10 |
30th Jan 2023 Good To Soft 1m 7f 171y Class 3 |
10st 4lb |
Won four on the continent, three Flat and one hurdling; easy to back and finished well held on his British debut over 2m4f at Leicester; that was in a first-time visor and he's better in blinkers, but others still appeal more. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2216-2 D
Last run: 72 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 106
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
14th Jun 2023 Good 2m 2f 110y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
took keen hold, prominent, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon eased, pulled up last |
9/2 |
|
2nd 7 (8) |
6th May 2023 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
Doubled her Flat tally with an AW success (2m) in January; creditable fourth at Bath (1m6f, good to soft) back in this sphere last month; has frame possibilities off same mark. |
8/1 |
|
4th 7 (10) |
21st Apr 2023 Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 5 |
9st 8lb |
7yo who was well held when falling at the last over hurdles last month but she scored in good style on the Flat (2m, Polytrack) on her penultimate run; 5lb higher here but conditions should be fine on this switch back to turf and she's in the mix. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4-595F
Last run: 11 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 106
| 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 |
Abandoned
Form: 111O52
Last run: 19 days
W: 11st 3lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
14th May 2026 Good 1m 6f 44y Class 3 |
9st 3lb |
Six-time Flat winner who scored a fifth win on turf when taking Sandown handicap (1m6f, good) off 2lb lower in July 2024; also a multiple winner over hurdles who was on the premises when taking heavy last-flight fall at Plumpton just over one year ago; interesting to see how he goes in the market ahead of this comeback. |
13/2 |
|
5 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 114y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Gained two of his five hurdle wins at this track and was second in Sussex Champion Hurdle here (2m, good) just over a year ago; returned from seven-month break with encouraging third at Bangor (2m3f, good; form working out well) in March and has slipped to a workable mark; can make presence felt. |
7/1 |
|
5 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 114y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Gained two of his five hurdle wins at this track and was second in Sussex Champion Hurdle here (2m, good) just over a year ago; returned from seven-month break with encouraging third at Bangor (2m3f, good; form working out well) in March and has slipped to a workable mark; can make presence felt. |
7/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5313 BF
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 114
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 1 |
15th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Just one win from his last 18 starts but that came by a wide margin over C&D (good to soft) in January and he ran another big race when fourth of 17 at Ascot (2m7f, good) last time; every chance he'll be thereabouts. |
10/1 |
|
3 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 118y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Had to wait over two years for his second win but when it came at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago it was by a huge margin; back up 8lb and that's the furthest he's been, but now the possibility arises that he'll be interesting at this trip as well. |
10/1 |
Verdict
Cases can be made for a few of these but the most obvious answer is COLONIAL EMPIRE, who has been hiked up another 10lb for last month’s easy win at Ffos Las but is in prime form and could still be improving. Inedit Star makes his handicap debut after shaping with significant promise in two Ffos Las maidens and is second choice. Gingerbred seemed to be going pretty well before falling on his recent handicap debut, while last year’s winner Amelia’s Dance is also considered.[Chris Wilson]