13.30
HeavyDenis Oconnell Memorial ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4084.5
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 4
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
8/1 (Won)
- Win: £2.80
- Place: £1.20
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 7f 16y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Won two of his five starts over hurdles and returns to them having failed to take to chasing since returning from a mammoth absence in December; blinkers given a go this time, but still has plenty to prove. |
25/1 |
|
4 |
23rd Jan 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 100y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Recovered from bad jumping error on final circuit to make winning handicap hurdle debut here (2m5f, soft) last March but looked out of sorts in two chases last month and it takes a big leap of faith to support him today. |
20/1 |
|
6th 2 |
2nd Apr 2024 Soft 2m 5f 55y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Looked suited by step up to 2m5f when scoring on last month's handicap debut at Warwick (2m5f, soft; front pair clear) and is now 2-4 over hurdles; 7lb higher here but open to further progress over this trip; major player. |
7/4 |
100/1
- Place: £17.30
Form: 58-6
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 2 |
9th Apr 2025 Good To Firm 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
prominent, briefly led after 2nd, lost position after 3 out, weakened 2 out |
4/1 |
|
6th 2 |
9th Apr 2025 Good To Firm 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
prominent, briefly led after 2nd |
4/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
20th Mar 2025 Good 2m 3f 100y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Unwise to blame soft ground when well held in the new cheekpieces at Warwick last time (3m2f); a repeat of his second at Ludlow in November would give him a shout, though that was at 3m. |
6/1 |
50/1
- Place: £13.30
Form: 5-80
Last run: 14 days
W: 10st 7lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Cheekpieces have been installed this season, with a good second at Southwell (2m4f, good) on first occasion but she was not in quite the same form on soft ground on either start since; stamina to prove after one attempt at 3m (last March) and improvement is needed on this chase debut. |
9/2 |
|
4 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Cheekpieces have been installed this season, with a good second at Southwell (2m4f, good) on first occasion but she was not in quite the same form on soft ground on either start since; stamina to prove after one attempt at 3m (last March) and improvement is needed on this chase debut. |
9/2 |
|
5th 6 |
23rd Jan 2025 Soft 2m 3f 154y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
in rear, steady headway from 5th |
11/2 |
100/1
Form: 62-80
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 |
24th Apr 2026 Good 3m 6f 121y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Won a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown in March of last year (yielding); this season hasn't gone so well but it wasn't too bad a run on his return to fences at Downpatrick last time (3m4f; yielding to soft) and unwise to put a line through him. |
10/1 |
|
6th 11 |
29th Mar 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 4f 120y |
10st 6lb |
Good form last winter, notably winning a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown; struggled in the spring in the Scottish National and in a valuable Punchestown handicap; should be better for a recent hurdles run. |
14/1 |
|
6th 3 |
4th Mar 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 180y |
11st 6lb |
Rated 26lb higher over fences but pulled up in final two starts in that sphere last season; seasonal return over hurdles at Navan in September was disappointing when beaten 35l at 6-1 (2m3f, yielding); big chance if on a going day. |
11/1 |
16/1
Form: 48
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 |
12th May 2026 Good 3m 1f 119y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
Three-time chase winner (at up to 3m) who was runner-up over hurdles at Southwell (2m4f, good) in March but he's inconsistent and made it 0-10 over hurdles when tailed off at Perth (2m4f, good) last month; needs to bounce back; non-runner when due to wear these blinkers for the first time 5:47 Southwell Monday. |
5/1 |
|
7th 7 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 35y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won off 7lb higher over fences here (3m, good to soft) last April; 0-9 over hurdles but runner-up in this discipline at Southwell (2m4f, good) last month; one of two for trainer with a good record in the race; chance. |
13/2 |
5/1
Form: 32-17 CD
Last run: 18 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 22 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 55y |
10st 8lb |
British runner is a three-time hurdles winner who has taken well to fences this season; built on positive chase debut when scoring from the front at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March; not given an easy lead at Newton Abbott and jumping lacked fluency when last of the four runners (2m5f, good); easy lead could be difficult to find once again in this big field. |
25/1 |
|
4th 1 |
14th Apr 2026 Good 2m 4f 216y Class 3 |
11st 10lb |
Three-time hurdle winner who has taken well to fences this season, building on an encouraging second on chase debut when scoring from the front at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March, jumping soundly throughout; this represents a different challenge but the 5lb rise is unlikely to halt his progress and another bold bid is on the cards. |
6/4 |
25/1
Form: 3/6
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
17th Feb 2026 2m 4f 118y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Won a Leicester handicap (2m4f, soft) for the second season running in early December, edging out Cast's Tasha; Wincanton was disappointing but remains on a fair mark if he can shrug aside that run. |
8/1 |
|
6th 5 |
15th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 179y Class 4 |
11st 7lb |
Won a Leicester handicap (2m4f, soft) for the second season running in early December; the front two were clear but the second has disappointed since; this is likely to take more winning and he's 4lb higher. |
7/1 |
|
9th 1 |
24th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 84y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
midfield |
7/1 |
4/1
Form: 602-35
Last run: 20 days
W: 10st 7lb
5 yo Filly
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
8th Oct 2024 Good 3m 1f 10y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
midfield, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out |
4/1 |
|
2nd 2 |
24th Sep 2024 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Scored by 5l here (2m5f, good) in May and has remained in good form since (2m3f-2m7f); not yet proven on ground slower than good to soft or over this far but still features prominently in calculations. |
9/4 |
|
3rd 9 |
6th Sep 2024 Good 2m 7f 32y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Won at Warwick (2m5f, good) in May and has been a good second on two of her three starts since (2m3f/2m4f, good; including here); unproven at today's trip but this lightly raced 6yo has stamina in her pedigree and is open to further improvement for her top trainer; key player. |
7/2 |
100/1
Form: 7
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Colt
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
25th May 2026 Good To Firm 2m 7f 129y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
2m4f hurdle winner on good ground; 0-5 as a chaser and failed to convince stamina-wise when stepped up to 3m at Southwell, finishing 28l off the winner; to give him the benefit of the doubt, that run was after a break. |
11/2 |
|
3rd 5 |
11th May 2026 Good 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
10st 12lb |
Won 2m4f hurdle at the start of 2025 and made a fairly encouraging chase debut when third of six at Newton Abbot (2m, good) one year ago; returned from break with three disappointing runs from November to January, though, and has questions to answer on first attempt at 3m; hood refitted. |
12/1 |
66/1
Form: 0-P
Last run: 20 days
W: 10st 7lb
5 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
24th Mar 2026 Good 2m 2f 40y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Course winner who was in good form until a below-par fifth of six in 2m Warwick handicap chase 16 days ago; cheekpieces go on now and she's the sort to bounce back. |
7/4 |
|
5th 5 |
8th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 54y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Won two 2m chases last season (soft/good) and this season's largely consistent record includes a good second over C&D; current mark is workable; likely to be in the shake-up. |
5/2 |
|
2nd 1 |
24th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 4f 25y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Largely consistent efforts this term, most recently close second at Lingfield (2m) behind a rival who was completing a hat-trick; won this race in 2024 (on heavy ground) and has solid claims despite being on a much higher mark now. |
5/4 |
66/1
Form: 69
Last run: 12 days
W: 10st 7lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 11 |
23rd Jan 2024 Soft 2m 4f 110y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
held up in rear |
9/1 |
|
11th 15 |
22nd Nov 2023 Heavy 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
10st 7lb |
Tailed off in novices at Newton Abbot at Exeter, latterly going off at 150-1. |
66/1 |
50/1
Form: 56
Last run: 48 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
2nd Mar 2026 Heavy 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Has proved consistent in points this winter and looks likely to give his running in this hunter chase debut; however, faces a difficult task on rules form, as ratings reflect. |
7/1 |
|
1 |
19th Jul 2025 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
12st 2lb |
Won five handicap chases in the space of six starts during the winter; that came a cost mark-wise and he was twice well held before suffering same fate back over hurdles last time (2m7f novice; tried blinkers); bit to prove now. |
16/1 |
4/6
Form: 22-16 D
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 7lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 8 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Finished fifth with cheekpieces applied at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) for another sound effort in the Martin Pipe; broadly consistent; likely to give his running in the retained headgear. |
16/1 |
|
5th 13 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Hasn't won since November 2024 but he's a broadly consistent sort and posted a cracking effort in this race (good to soft) 12 months ago, beating all bar smart mare Wodhooh who was very well handicapped; only 1lb higher and again has each-way possibilities; wears first-time headgear. |
14/1 |
|
8th 4 |
14th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 63y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Acts on soft ground; on a 15-month losing spell but is a consistent sort, creditable fourth to Listentoyourheart at Windsor (2m4f) most recently; again has frame possibilities. |
7/1 |
10/1
Form: 4-
Last run: 245 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
19th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 63y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
2024 C&D winner; promising third when returning from a 15-month absence at Wetherby (3m, good) in March, in this headgear combination, proving he retains a good chunk of his ability; however, he'll need to quickly bounce back from a lesser effort at Perth last time, which tempers enthusiasm. |
14/1 |
|
6th 3 |
22nd Apr 2026 Soft 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Only win was over 2m7f at Hexham in June 2024 (good); fair third at Wetherby last time (3m, good); chance on his best form but soft ground not ideal. |
7/1 |
100/1
Form: 06-
Last run: 210 days
W: 11st 0lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 4 |
24th May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
Made all to open account over C&D (good) in first-time blinkers ten days ago, his 11th start over fences; drew nicely clear of the others with the runner-up that day and was only raised 3lb; could be hard to catch. |
9/4 |
|
1st 7 |
14th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
Can make mistakes but mainly consistent over fences for this yard; pulled up at Warwick after an error last time but 2m and ground that was likely faster than good were probably not ideal; that brought his record to 0-18 but he's not ruled out in first-time blinkers back up in trip. |
7/1 |
|
8 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 54y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
Held up and was never that threatening when beaten just over 7l into fourth at Ffos Las (2m3f, good to soft); that's two pleasing enough runs since the visor went on and this 17-race maiden has each-way claims. |
7/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £402.20 |
| Straight Forecast | £145.67 |
| Trifecta | £637.30 |
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