15.08
GoodOpening Of Adrian Flux Bar Today Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4629.1
- 2m 0f 3y
- Class 4
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
Abandoned
Form: 979P49
Last run: 8 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 |
1st Jul 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway before 3 out, weakened after 2 out |
13/2 |
|
6th 2 |
18th Jun 2024 Good 2m 0f 213y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
midfield, not fluent 3rd, weakening when mistake 4 out |
4/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
2nd Jun 2024 Good 2m 0f 59y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Off the mark over fences in a novice handicap at Huntingdon in March (2m, good); fair efforts over fences last twice; one to consider. |
9/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 3354-U D
Last run: 59 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
5th Jul 2026 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Has won two of his last three, the latest over 3m2f at Fontwell when Sean Bowen was at his strongest; probably has little up his sleeve after the 5lb rise. |
5/1 |
|
1st 3 |
10th Jun 2026 Good 3m 1f 166y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
Landed a weak handicap at Hereford (3m1f, good) in March; never threatened off 2lb higher at Southwell (3m, good) last time; Sean Bowen rides for the first time so may well have a say. |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 |
24th Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Had dropped to a good mark and finally exploited it with a head success at Hereford (3m1f, good); that was a weak race but he's only 2lb higher and should give some less exposed rivals plenty to think about. |
11/4 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 (1) |
10th Mar 2026 Standard 1m 4f 51y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Course winner (9.5f) but losing run up to 20 and rarely seen over this far; look elsewhere. |
14/1 |
|
6th 9 (3) |
23rd Feb 2026 Standard 1m 1f 104y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Winless since 2023 but he ran a big race at a big price when third in classified event at Lingfield (1m2f) last month; that was eyecatching from off the pace and he has each-way claims again if he can repeat that form. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 6 (9) |
21st Jan 2026 Standard 1m 2f 0y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Winless since 2023 and he beat only one after six months off in 1m2f classified event at Chelmsford ten days ago; he's not easy to make a case for. |
33/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3 BF
Last run: 9 days
W: 11st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
30th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 2f 148y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Won at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) off this mark in November but failed to build on it afterwards; has offered more in two runs since returning from a short break but needs another step forward to figure. |
12/1 |
|
5th 7 |
11th Jun 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Won at Wincanton (1m7f, good; from 2lb lower) last November, but lost his way and unseated in March; stayed on into modest fourth at Hexham (2m; beaten 12l) three weeks ago, though; slightly more needed. |
13/2 |
|
4th 2 |
19th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 48y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Scored in pretty good style at Wincanton (1m7f, good) in November and today's 4lb higher mark is probably workable but not much has gone to plan since and he arrives here with a bit to prove. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-3
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 1lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Generally disappointing last season but showed the benefit of a wind op when making the frame on final two appearances (2m/2m4f); begins new campaign on a workable mark and will be suited by the ground; a possible. |
6/1 |
|
1 |
28th Oct 2025 Soft 1m 7f 182y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Generally disappointing last season but showed the benefit of a wind op when making the frame on final two appearances (2m/2m4f); begins new campaign on a workable mark and will be suited by the ground; a possible. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 7 |
17th Mar 2025 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
in touch with leaders |
13/2 |
Verdict
It’s worth giving another chance to WESTERN SOLDIER despite him coming up short in an ordinary maiden at Sedgefield. His notable Flat form suggests he should do better and rain is welcomed. Wise Guy ran okay at Bangor and he’s second choice ahead of hurdling debutant Sun Festival.[Alistair Jones]
Selections
The Times:
Western SoldierTelegraph:
Western SoldierDaily Mail:
Western SoldierD Express:
Western SoldierDaily Mirror:
Western SoldierThe Sun:
Western SoldierThe Star:
Western SoldierDaily Record:
Western Soldier