13.05
SoftWeatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £26015
- 1m 7f 207y
- Class 2
- 4 runners
Runners: 4 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: /3121- D
Last run: 205 days
W: 11st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
23rd Sep 2025 Good 3m 1f 100y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Won well off 4lb lower at Aintree in May (3m1f, good) and a 4lb higher mark doesn't look too damaging; strongly considered as fitness is unlikely to be an issue given his yard. |
2/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 103-03 D
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 144
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
21st Sep 2025 Good To Firm 1m 7f 195y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
Not as good as he was but that's reflected in his mark and he knows his way around this place; returning from a break when third in this 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; could easily have a role to play. |
7/2 |
|
3 |
29th Jun 2025 Soft 2m 1f 46y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; placed on final two starts last season (2m hurdle/2m1f chase) and drops back in trip after looking stretched by 2m4f last month; probably best on good/good to soft but has won on soft; enters calculations. |
13/2 |
|
2 |
16th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
Not quite as good as he was but still a useful performer; second off today's mark on latest hurdling start at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in March and also ran well when third in Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton (2m1f, good) last month; well worth another crack at 2m4f; probably won't be far away. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1-4423 D
Last run: 49 days
W: 11st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
17th Jul 2026 Good 2m 1f 0y |
11st 4lb |
Much better chaser than hurdler, three wins include handicaps at Punchestown and Cork in 2024; long losing run since, but has shown himself in good heart on the Flat of late. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 3 (4) |
7th Jul 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y |
10st 2lb |
Bumper winner in 2020; best known as a three-time chase scorer, runner-up five times on the Flat (three times at Killarney, twice at this venue); probably ran close to his handicap mark when third in a 1m7f maiden at Leopardstown last month. |
5/1 |
|
3rd 9 (13) |
18th Jun 2026 Yielding 1m 7f 0y |
11st 7lb |
Bumper winner in 2020; best known as a three-time chase scorer, runner-up five times on the Flat (three times at Killarney, twice at Tramore); vulnerable in a race of this type at the age of ten. |
8/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 6F88-1 CD
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 135
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 5 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 35y Class 3 |
11st 9lb |
Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring. |
14/1 |
|
8th 2 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 207y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive. |
33/1 |
|
1 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 3 |
12st 2lb |
A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here. |
12/1 |
Verdict
The versatile AUCUNRISQUE (nap) looks to hold a sound chance here as these conditions are ideal and his latest form over fences, at Kempton last Christmas, was boosted by the win of Boothill at Ascot this month. Two miles and soft ground are not ideal for Sail Away, who also has to give weight away all round, so recent C&D winner Nells Son may prove the most serious rival to Aucunrisque.[Colin Russell]
Selections
The Sun:
Sail Away