14.30
HeavySovereign Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £57233
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 2
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 1232-8 D BF
Last run: 64 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 57y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Acts on heavy; useful for Harry Fry but became inconsistent and has never won a handicap; bought for £35,000 last May and had a remote finish at Worcester in July on his only start since; has career-low mark but plenty to prove, including stamina on this fourth attempt at about 3m. |
25/1 |
|
1 |
7th Jul 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Smart for Harry Fry but became inconsistent; wasn't disgraced in Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival (2m5f, good to soft) on latest outing in March and sights are lowered on stable debut having changed hands for £35,000. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2343-8
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 13 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Ascot specialist who was second there in November off today's mark and he was in contention when unseating five out at Sandown in January; however, good runs were scarce in 2025 and he's been soundly beaten on all four visits here; tenth in this last year; blinkers replace cheekpieces. |
50/1 |
|
3 |
31st Jan 2026 Soft 1m 7f 99y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Has lacked consistency since completing a five-timer in 2024; best effort this term when second at Ascot on penultimate start; on last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4131-2 D
Last run: 85 days
W: 11st 9lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
11th Feb 2023 Good 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Held on for neck win under regular rider Angus Cheleda at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) two weeks ago, building on his Ascot reappearance effort (behind Highway One O Two) and taking record to 5-11; appears to handle good ground; progressive sort who enters calculations under 5lb penalty. |
|
|
1st 6 |
28th Jan 2023 Soft 2m 0f 179y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Ended last season with some very good efforts under Angus Cheleda, including one win on heavy and another in 16-runner handicap at Aintree festival (2m, good to soft) in April; good second to an easy winner at Ascot in October on return and may well be able to build on that; player. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: /1-421 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
25th May 2024 Soft 2m 1f 61y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Three-time hurdle winner who recovered from significant jumping error at penultimate fence to make winning chase debut at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; can cope with today's drop back in trip and is probably still on a workable mark after recent 4lb rise. |
2/1 |
|
1st 1 |
25th May 2024 Soft 2m 1f 61y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Three-time hurdle winner who recovered from significant jumping error at penultimate fence to make winning chase debut at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; can cope with today's drop back in trip and is probably still on a workable mark after recent 4lb rise. |
2/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 112-12 D BF
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
14th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 128y Class 2 |
11st 13lb |
made all |
13/2 |
|
2 |
14th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 128y Class 2 |
11st 13lb |
Twice finished runner-up at Kelso in the first half of this year (2m, soft/good to soft) and he returned from a break with an encouraging fourth at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month; shaped as though he may improve for that latest run and he represents last year's winning yard; contender. |
13/2 |
|
4th 4 |
13th Nov 2024 Good To Soft 2m 3f 123y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Has pretty good 5-13 hurdling strike-rate that includes two course wins (2m/2m3f); not seen since his keeping-on second at Kelso (2m, good to soft) in first-time blinkers in May but remains on the same, workable mark; usual cheekpieces back on today. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1-123 BF
Last run: 15 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
6th 2 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Always behind and well beaten in the Ryanair but may benefit from this step back up in distance, having been well suited by 2m7f in the Denman Chase at Newbury (one of two soft-ground Grade 2 wins this term) the time before; largely progressive prior to latest start and unexposed over staying trips. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 11P0-1 D
Last run: 50 days
W: 11st 1lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
18th Oct 2024 Good To Soft 1m 7f 214y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
jumped right throughout, set fast pace, headed after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened and hung right after 2 out (usual 3 out) |
7/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
14th Dec 2023 Heavy 2m 0f 190y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Runs off same mark as for his win at Wetherby (2m, soft) last December; hasn't shone since but, having had a wind op, he was well backed at Chepstow on his stable and seasonal debut only to run without the declared tongue-tie; due to wear that appendage today; interesting to see if backers return. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 311-12 D BF
Last run: 60 days
W: 11st 1lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 123y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Ran no race at Windsor in January; however, prior to that he went close in a Class 2 handicap at Sandown (2m, soft; effective on good to soft); on a handy mark if factoring in Harry Atkins' claim; front runner, and not the only one. |
7/1 |
|
13th 3 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
11st 12lb |
Consistent 10yo who was third in this last year (soft) and reappeared with close second to Go Dante at Sandown (2m, soft) last month; up 2lb to a career-high mark but can give another good account and 7lb claimer Harry Atkins, who is enjoying a fine winter, rides him for the first time. |
9/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3-2431 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 1lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
7th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 1f 0y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Returned to form with an easy win under Peter Summers when back over fences at Leicester (2m, soft) last month; that was a first chase victory at the 11th attempt and she beat only two rivals, but it's hard to knock that performance otherwise and a 4lb rise isn't harsh. |
5/2 |
|
1st 1 |
10th Jan 2024 Soft 1m 7f 201y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Soundly beaten over hurdles last month and evidently not as good as she was but began this season with two very respectable chase runs (one in a Listed race) and is sure to appreciate today's ease in grade; versatile regarding ground; must be considered. |
7/2 |
|
4th 1 |
6th Dec 2023 Soft 1m 7f 169y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Returned to hurdles for a dominant 10l success at Chepstow in January (soft) off only a 3lb lower mark but lost her way a little afterwards; following wind surgery she seems back in good order judged on recent chase efforts (0-10 compared with 4-16 hurdling) and has plenty in her favour back in this discipline; should give it a good go from the front. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 20-213 BF
Last run: 57 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Has registered a couple of useful handicap wins this season, including at Kempton (2m4f, good) on penultimate start; faces a stiffer task conceding weight all round in this grade, with 4lb penalty incurred. |
25/1 |
|
23 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 3lb |
Can be difficult to settle and he was reluctant to line up at Kempton (2m4f, good) four weeks ago, but that didn't stop him winning; had just a neck to spare but the first two were clear and this 8yo is now 4-10 over fences; further progress is possible and he's not ruled out up just 3lb. |
40/1 |
|
1st 5 |
14th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 110y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
All three chase wins (good to soft and good) in 2025, including at 2m2f here; creditable shows in his first 2m4f chases on last two starts and perhaps this sharper test than at Newbury recently will suit; not far away. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 860-31 D
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
3rd May 2025 Good 2m 4f 189y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
raced in last but in touch with leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out |
8/1 |
|
4th 3 |
3rd May 2025 Good 2m 4f 189y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
raced in last but in touch with leaders, outpaced after 4 out, weakened 2 out |
8/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
5th Apr 2025 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and went second before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, not fluent last, weakened and lost second run-in |
7/1 |
Verdict
Any number of these are of serious interest but the vote goes to last year’s fourth HACKER DES PLACES. He improved to hold his own in big handicaps at the end of last season, following a win on heavy ground, and he resumed this term in encouraging fashion in October. Dan Skelton has eyecatching candidates in Playful Saint and Knickerbockerglory, but a rejuvenated Galice Macalo might just prove the chief danger. Michael Scudamore’s pair Lebowski and Thor De Cerisy also won well last time out.[Richard Austen]