14.25
SoftBlack Mountain Botanicals Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4330.42
- 2m 0f 53y
- Class 4
- 10 runners
Runners: 10 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
9/2 (Won)
- Win: £9.40
- Place: £2.60
Form: 6-634
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 6 |
7th Feb 2023 Good To Soft 2m 0f 104y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Built upon his previous efforts (on good and good to soft) when winning in a first-time tongue-tie (retained) on last Monday's handicap debut at Hereford (2m, soft); he had a lot more in hand than the winning margin of a length and a half suggests and looks well treated under a 7lb penalty. |
4/5 |
|
1st 6 |
30th Jan 2023 Soft 2m 0f 53y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Has shown promise over hurdles, notably when third at Newbury in November (form perhaps not as strong as looked likely at the time); moves into handicaps with a tongue-tie now enlisted; capable of better. |
9/2 |
|
4th 6 |
27th Dec 2022 Good To Soft 2m 0f 11y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Shaped with clear promise on first two hurdling starts, more recently when third behind two expensive recruits at Newbury (2m, good) last month; likely contender. |
11/4 |
8/1
- Place: £2.10
Form: 5313 BF
Last run: 34 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 |
8/1
- Place: £2.40
Form: 034
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
22nd Mar 2023 Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
prominent, led 3 out, pushed along and bumped rival before 2 out, ran green after 2 out, pecked on landing last, soon ridden and hung left, kept on but headed final 110yds |
5/2 |
|
3 |
5th Mar 2023 Good 1m 7f 171y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
|
|
|
3rd 5 |
30th Jan 2023 Soft 2m 0f 53y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
Second in an Irish point last February (only two finished), after which he was sold for £80,000; two hurdle runs for this yard have seen him not get home over an extended 2m3f here; could rate higher now dropped in trip and handicapping but he will need more to defy this mark. |
8/1 |
5/1
Form: O36-21 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 11 |
9th May 2026 Good 2m 4f 28y Class 3 |
10st 6lb |
Bidding for a C&D hat-trick having won here on last two starts (soft/good); has gone up 9lb but has run well off much higher marks in the past; could go well. |
6/1 |
|
1st 3 |
13th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 28y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Five races for his new trainer and back on track, following three third places with a tenacious C&D win (soft) under Charlie Maggs in 14-runner race 19 days ago; back up 4lb but one to consider seriously. |
100/30 |
|
1st 4 |
25th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 28y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Ended his time with Olly Murphy under a cloud but back on track for his new handler and he posted a solid third of eight in 2m3f handicap at Catterick last month; considered from an easing mark. |
9/1 |
5/1
Form: 42
Last run: 40 days
W: 12st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 12 (2) |
15th Nov 2023 Standard To Slow 1m 3f 219y Class 3 |
9st 3lb |
Useful on his day but has a disappointing strike-rate and is far from solid judged on 2023 form (Flat/hurdles); others preferred. |
20/1 |
20/1
Form: 342-65
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 6 |
25th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 1f 77y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
Placed lots of times over hurdles but won only once in 24 attempts; hasn't been close to his best this season and he's not bred for fences. |
16/1 |
|
4th 5 |
4th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 188y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Just 1-23 over hurdles, the win gained in 2023; out of form at around 2m this season but this longer trip might suit him better now and he has slipped to a very good mark; worth a glance in the betting. |
14/1 |
11/2
Form: 612-23
Last run: 39 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 |
100/1
Form: 4161-P
Last run: 60 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 |
9/2
Form: 3454-2
Last run: 29 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 105
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
30th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
2m4f chase winner (soft) who has gone close when on this mark; returned from a break to equal his career-best form over C&D latest; drops 1lb; may be able to eke out a bit more; player. |
11/4 |
|
3rd 7 |
6th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Won a novices' handicap chase at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) in December; went close in his follow-up bid at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) later that month but his form slumped at Leicester in January; has bit to prove again after that and others are preferred. |
16/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
6th May 2024 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Won a novices' handicap chase at Ludlow (2m4f, soft) in December; went close in his follow-up bid at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) later that month but his form slumped at Leicester in January; has bit to prove again after that and others are preferred. |
16/1 |
8/1
Form: 5/3P-4
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Mare
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
7th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 30y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
2-3 during light campaign last season, the latter win gained off today's mark in valuable series final at Hereford (3m1f, good); pulled up in 2m3f Wetherby race won by Micks Jet last month but has possibilities here if that outing brought her on. |
11/2 |
|
8 |
7th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 30y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
2-3 during light campaign last season, the latter win gained off today's mark in valuable series final at Hereford (3m1f, good); pulled up in 2m3f Wetherby race won by Micks Jet last month but has possibilities here if that outing brought her on. |
11/2 |
|
5 |
23rd Jan 2025 Soft 2m 3f 85y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
led, faced challenge after 5 out, headed before 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up 2 out |
9/2 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £60.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £51.61 |
| Tricast | £406.68 |
| Trifecta | £815.30 |