April 21 / 17.05 Fontwell

17.05

Good To Soft

Broadsword Group 25th Anniversary Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2614.08
  • 1m 5f 159y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Broadsword Group 25th Anniversary Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.29

Form: 1

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Prominent in the market at Taunton (2m, good) last month and he made smooth headway before staying on well for a clearcut win over the favourite; has a penalty on this drop in trip but that was a striking debut effort and he looks a useful prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Secret Squirrel

10st 6lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Just two starts this season and down the field in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month; however, prior to that he was a creditable third of four in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) and he was a progressive handicapper last term (various ground); not discounted.

7/1

19th

23

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Secret Squirrel

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Hughie Morrison

Won a valuable handicap hurdle at Windsor (2m, soft) last winter and probably would have been placed in two others but for falling at the last; showed more than enough to think he retains all of his ability when third of four to Alexei in the Grade 2 Kingwell at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) on reappearance four weeks ago; entitled to come on for that.

12/1

3rd

4

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

13:35 Wincanton

Secret Squirrel

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Hughie Morrison

Overall record of 5-12, including three wins at around 2m over hurdles (good to soft/soft); his last win was at Windsor last January but he fell at the last in a major handicap at Newbury the following month and has been on the sidelines since; has something to prove after a year off and this looks tough on the figures.

7/1

Form: 26

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in her sole run for Rae Guest but that form is some way below the standard here and she failed to build on that at Southwell (well-held sixth) on her stable debut last month; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Fashionelle

9st 8lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Tony Forbes

Some good performances last year as when beaten a short head off this mark over C&D in November; needs to better her two efforts since returning last month, though.

16/1

6th

8

(2)

15th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Fashionelle

8st 10lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Tony Forbes

0-12 in Flat handicaps but she was placed here in November on two occasions (including C&D); behind Shipshape at Wolverhampton (1m6f) on his first start for 131 days but the returning cheekpieces should be a positive.

16/1

7th

7

(7)

31st Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fashionelle

9st 6lb

J: William Cox

T: Tony Forbes

0-11 in Flat handicaps but bang there on three of her last four starts (2m here and Southwell 1m6f); that puts her firmly in the picture but there is a bit to prove after 131 days off.

8/1

Form: 60

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Travelled well for a long way when a 7l sixth at Kempton (2m, good to soft) on his debut in February but he failed to build on that when out the back at Fakenham last month; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

17th Oct 2023

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:38 Huntingdon

Solid As A Rock

10st 7lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Bumper form was nothing to shout about, with her latest third a remote last; others are much preferred.

33/1

3rd

4

21st Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 159y

Class 5

17:05 Fontwell

Solid As A Rock

10st 9lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Travelled well for a long way when a 7l sixth at Kempton (2m, good to soft) on his debut in February but he failed to build on that when out the back at Fakenham last month; others preferred.

33/1

10th

8

10th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

18:27 Fakenham

Solid As A Rock

11st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Finished sixth of eight at Kempton (2m, good to soft; 14-1) on her debut in February but she travelled smoothly for a long way and was only beaten around 7l in the end; should benefit from that experience and she's not ruled out.

16/1

Form: 23 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made a good start when runner-up at Plumpton (2m1f, soft) in December and that was behind an odds-on rival who went on to finish third in the Champion Bumper; held in third when favourite at Chepstow last month but that was another promising effort after a break and he sets the standard on this drop in trip; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.

5/1

1st

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Chris Gordon

Ascot winner in December off 7lb lower (1m7f, good to soft); this represents a welcome drop in grade after contesting two high-profile handicaps and he's not out of it.

8/1

Form: 1 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
110,000euros brother to smart bumper/2m hurdle winner I Am Maximus; looked inexperienced when odds-on for a C&D event (soft) two weeks ago but he seized the initiative 2f out before going clear in the final furlong; that was a bright start from this 4yo and he should be more streetwise this time; respected under a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

All Authorized

11st 3lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Course bumper and hurdle winner who won Plumpton handicap hurdle off 18lb higher last April; subsequent starts over fences didn't go well and he resumes chase career having been well held over hurdles on last three starts.

8/1

4th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:00 Plumpton

All Authorized

11st 9lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

He's had a disappointing season, initially over fences and more recently over hurdles, and has something to prove; however, he's now 10lb lower than when winning over C&D (good) last April and can't be written off; monitor the betting.

7/1

4th

6

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

All Authorized

11st 0lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Chasing did not go well this season (three runs) but he ran well until tiring on heavy ground over hurdles at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) recently and is now 6lb lower than for an emphatic C&D win on good ground last April.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; half-brother to 2m3f hurdle winner Just Sophie; dam point/3m hurdle winner, closely related to useful 2m-3m1f hurdle/chase winner Solstice Star, half-sister to useful 2m2f-3m hurdle/chase winner Graceful Legend; this looks a tough starting point and he's probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:20 Fontwell

Maximum Effort

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Three runs at Chepstow look easily the best of his seven appearances over hurdles, the most recent when fifth of 17 in handicap (2m3f, good to soft; acts on heavy) in November; his dam had stamina but this 6yo was pulled up on both his attempts at this sort of trip, including latest outing.

7/1

7th

1

26th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:20 Fontwell

Maximum Effort

12st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Three runs at Chepstow look easily the best of his seven appearances over hurdles, the most recent when fifth of 17 in handicap (2m3f, good to soft; acts on heavy) in November; his dam had stamina but this 6yo was pulled up on both his attempts at this sort of trip, including latest outing.

7/1

6

20th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 45y

Class 5

14:40 Uttoxeter

Maximum Effort

11st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

in touch with leaders

8/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
8,500euros foal, 15,000euros 3yo; seventh foal; half-brother to four winners including Serious Charges (useful 2m-2m7f hurdle) and Cosa Ban (2m2f hurdle); dam 2m Flat (RPR 67) and 2m hurdle winner; yard has 47% record in bumpers here in recent years and he needs watching in market on debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

22

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Solstice Saint

11st 0lb

T: Anthony Honeyball

Has run in two bumpers and two novice hurdles; joint-favourite for debut but increasingly big odds since and none of that form reads well.

66/1

6th

13

12th Dec 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

12:45 Wincanton

Solstice Saint

11st 0lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Went off joint-favourite when midfield on bumper debut but tailed off at big odds the next twice, most recently on hurdle debut at Taunton.

100/1

10th

12

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:50 Taunton

Solstice Saint

11st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

The dam has produced four winners; a weakener in both her bumpers (good then good to soft); opposable in a race of this nature.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(4)

29th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

17:05 Brighton

Mrs Maisel

8st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Struggles continued on her handicap debut (1m2f, soft) and that was well over a year ago; lots to prove on several counts.

66/1

6th

7

(1)

9th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

18:55 Brighton

Mrs Maisel

8st 4lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: John Berry

Has shown little in three starts at huge odds; goes up in distance on handicap debut and cannot be backed with confidence.

33/1

12th

2

(14)

24th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

18:35 Windsor

Mrs Maisel

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: John Berry

Half-sister to six winners but beaten 15l in her first two races and makes no appeal for now.

100/1

Non-runners

All Authorized, Maximum Effort, Solstice Saint, Mrs Maisel

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £1.20
Straight Forecast £1.45
Trifecta £1.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Secret Squirrel

Telegraph:

All Authorized

RP Ratings:

King William Rufus

WEST COUNTRY:

Solstice Saint

The Star:

All Authorized

Daily Record:

All Authorized

The Guardian:

Solstice Saint

The Times:

Secret Squirrel

Daily Mail:

Secret Squirrel

D Express:

Secret Squirrel

Daily Mirror:

Secret Squirrel

The Sun:

Secret Squirrel