14.50
SoftAllan John (AJ) Memorial Handicap Hurdle
- Prize money: £10562
- 2m 4f 0y
- Class 3
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
5/1 (Won)
- Win: £10.00
- Place: £2.70
Form: -41723
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 11lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
21st Mar 2024 Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Runs off a mark fully 10lb lower than when winning over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in January 2023; however, he's been a long way below that level this season over fences and the first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) need to prompt major improvement. |
13/2 |
|
4th 2 |
9th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 4f 194y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
Hurdle winner of 5lb higher in early 2023; entitled to have needed the run when well-held fifth on return to chasing in November but dropped away very tamely in straight at Chepstow in January and comes here with some questions to answer. |
9/2 |
|
0 1 |
24th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out |
7/1 |
33/1
- Place: £11.50
Form: 8/3-38 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 122
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
23rd Jul 2023 Good 3m 1f 170y Class 3 |
10st 5lb |
raced in third and in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, not fluent 12th, weakened after 3 out |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 |
9th Jun 2023 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Four wins in 2020 but no joy since; good second at Ffos Las in January (off 6lb higher) but has rather lost his way since; visor no help when pulled up latest and tongue-strap now enlisted for the first time. |
14/1 |
|
1 |
8th May 2023 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Quite lightly raced since winning four in a row on good ground in 2020 and comes here after two disappointing efforts, the latter in refitted cheekpieces; needs to be perked up by the first-time visor. |
16/1 |
5/1
- Place: £1.50
Form: /956-3 D
Last run: 81 days
W: 11st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
31st Jan 2023 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Soft-ground winner in Ireland who returned from a long absence to finish third of 18 at Cheltenham (2m5f, good) in November; has a history of going well fresh but he's a major player if confirming that latest promise. |
5/1 |
|
5 |
26th Dec 2022 Good To Soft 2m 5f 56y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Two-time Irish winner (including on soft) who returned from a long absence to finish third of 18 at Cheltenham (2m5f, good) last month on his stable debut; he has a history of going well fresh but he's a major player if confirming that latest promise. |
9/2 |
|
3rd 8 |
11th Nov 2022 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Won for Gavin Cromwell (same owner) in a 2m3f maiden hurdle (September 2020) and a 2m4f beginners chase (April 2021) but did not build on that in either sphere; those wins did show that he can go well fresh, however, and despite the 517-day layoff this time, he's not ruled out on this debut for new yard. |
11/1 |
4/1
Form: 212 BF
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 12lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
14th Jan 2026 Good 2m 7f 91y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Promising third on chase debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in November and he was 1l behind the leader and clear of the rest when falling at the final fence at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) last month; the winner has followed up and this fellow looks well treated now only 3lb higher. |
7/2 |
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 85y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
7yo who made a promising start to his rules career in 2022-23 (won a novice hurdle here) and showed enough over hurdles this April, following a mammoth absence, to suggest he retains plenty of ability; having won a point it's possible he'll relish this switch to fences and he's one to consider. |
8/1 |
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 2m 3f 85y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
7yo who made a promising start to his rules career in 2022-23 (won a novice hurdle here) and showed enough over hurdles this April, following a mammoth absence, to suggest he retains plenty of ability; having won a point it's possible he'll relish this switch to fences and he's one to consider. |
8/1 |
13/2
Form: 31-231 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 1 |
21st Apr 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
On a long losing run but she wasn't discredited on the back of wind surgery when fourth of six in 2m3f Warwick handicap 60 days ago; possibilities off a falling mark. |
12/1 |
|
4th 3 |
20th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 0y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Runner-up at Ludlow last February and now 8lb lower; however, this 10yo has struggled to get competitive since; has had wind surgery since last time, which needs to make a big difference. |
14/1 |
12/1
Form: 15- D
Last run: 374 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
24th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 2f 54y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Last month's near-5l third at Kempton was his most convincing effort to date both over 3m and on good ground, but also took his record in handicaps off marks in the 120s to 0-8; still needs to find a bit more. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 4 |
14th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Has won on good to soft and heavy; made light of an absence when winning at Southwell in December but he found little at Ludlow (also 2m4f) last month and has yet to distinguish himself over this far; reservations remain; yard won this in 2019. |
9/2 |
|
4th 3 |
4th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
His second win over fences when returning from a long absence to take a 2m4f handicap at Southwell (good to soft; won on heavy) in mid-December; that race fell apart in behind but a 4lb rise isn't the end of the world. |
11/2 |
7/1
Form: 4-615
Last run: 34 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
12th Oct 2025 Good To Firm 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Ex-Dan Skelton; started off for Sophie Leech with two disappointing French hurdle runs this summer (wore cheekpieces) but caused a 50-1 shock when back over fences at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft; blinkers) last month; subsequent 4lb rise is not insurmountable if he's in the same form. |
11/2 |
|
1st 10 |
15th Sep 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
Last win for the Skeltons was off this mark last December (1m7f, soft) but he's offered little since, including in two French hurdles for current yard. |
20/1 |
|
4 |
19th Apr 2025 Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
towards rear |
12/1 |
15/2
Form: 11-351
Last run: 227 days
W: 12st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 127
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
1st Mar 2025 Soft 2m 7f 86y Class 3 |
10st 11lb |
Three hurdles wins in France; 0-5 in Britain but has found some consistency over fences (2m4f-3m4f) this term and looks the type to succeed for Venetia Williams soon; interesting off unaltered mark. |
4/1 |
|
4th 8 |
19th Jan 2025 Soft 3m 4f 162y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Three-time hurdle winner in France; 0-4 in Britain but was placed in two chases last month (2m4f/2m6f) and has possibilities if this big step up in trip suits. |
5/1 |
|
4th 8 |
19th Jan 2025 Soft 3m 4f 162y Class 3 |
11st 3lb |
Three-time hurdle winner in France; 0-4 in Britain but was placed in two chases last month (2m4f/2m6f) and has possibilities if this big step up in trip suits. |
5/1 |
33/1
Form: 42/8P-
Last run: 385 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
31st Jan 2023 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
With Johnny Farrelly when completing a four-timer at Cheltenham two seasons ago; below par in two runs for Philip Hobbs and now with another new yard; watching brief seems the best call after a good while out. |
33/1 |
6/1
Form: 7P6-P1 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 12lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 11 |
9th Jul 2024 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 3 |
10st 9lb |
Placed off 8lb higher at Newton Abbot (2m5f, soft) in October and will also be suited by today's faster ground but has looked badly out of sorts since and needs to turn things around. |
20/1 |
|
6 |
1st Apr 2024 Soft 2m 3f 100y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Won over C&D last season and was placed off 5lb higher at Newton Abbot (2m5f, soft) in October after an absence, but his form nosedived towards the end of last year and he needs to have been refreshed by another break. |
20/1 |
33/1
Form: 17-108
Last run: 73 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 5 |
23rd May 2026 Good 2m 1f 77y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Got off the mark over fences at Ludlow (2m4f, good to firm) last October and has been placed on all five starts since; drops back in trip which may not be in his favour. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 4 |
22nd Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 171y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in four runs since including when runner-up at Chepstow (2m7f) 11 days ago; should go well again and all of his wins have been on good/good to firm. |
9/2 |
|
2nd 4 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 136y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Triple hurdle winner who made the breakthrough over fences in a Ludlow handicap (2m4f, good to firm) in October; that was a four-runner race but he's been placed in three runs since including over 3m at Taunton; should go well again and it would be a positive if the ground dries out. |
5/1 |
14/1
Form: 22443-
Last run: 323 days
W: 11st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
13th Jun 2025 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Arguably unlucky to have just two wins to his name rather than four; cheekpieces of his below-par efforts the last thrice are off, and back down to his highest winning mark (lowered in a 2m4f chase); not ruled out. |
11/1 |
|
13th 8 |
6th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Only seen sporadically down the years and his best efforts have all come without headgear (cheekpieces retained after two poor runs in them this year); has it to prove currently. |
25/1 |
|
13th 8 |
6th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Only seen sporadically down the years and his best efforts have all come without headgear (cheekpieces retained after two poor runs in them this year); has it to prove currently. |
25/1 |
33/1
Form: 26426-
Last run: 519 days
W: 11st 2lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 |
31st Jan 2023 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Strike-rate of 5-27 over hurdles but wasn't at his best during 2021 despite win/placed form; has a long absence to overcome. |
33/1 |
Non-runners
Mr Muldoon
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £379.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £273.50 |
| Tricast | £1286.43 |
| Trifecta | £1886.60 |
Selections
The Guardian:
Midnight GingerThe Star:
Oscar Thyne