12.55
SoftClose Brothers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £13202.5
- 2m 0f 62y
- Class 3
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
3/1 (Won)
- Win: £4.00
- Place: £1.60
Form: 315-F1 D
Last run: 13 days
W: 10st 13lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 7 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
In touch and still going okay when falling three out in this race last year but it's difficult to ascertain where he'd have finished with a clear round; overall record at Cheltenham is 121FU, both wins in handicaps on the New course; ran creditably, one place behind Saint Segal, in the Game Spirit most recently; at the age of ten he's unlikely to find the major improvement that's needed on ratings. |
66/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Acts on heavy ground; continued his progress with a good second to Master Chewy in this contest 12 months ago and he meets the winner on better terms in this rematch; subsequent form comprises two non-completions at Cheltenham and a remote fourth, albeit facing stiff assignment, in the Tingle Creek; return to this scenario puts him in calculations. |
7/1 |
|
5 |
12th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Has form figures of 112312 in completed chase starts and 121 (three handicaps) at Cheltenham; good second in the Grand Annual on this card 12 months ago and filled the same position in the Game Spirit at Newbury most recently; progressive but has the lowest rating of the field. |
33/1 |
7/4
- Place: £1.50
Form: 2O16-1 D
Last run: 78 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 143
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
18th Apr 2026 Soft 2m 0f 110y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences. |
14/1 |
|
2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 13lb |
Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track. |
25/1 |
|
5th 9 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here. |
33/1 |
4/1
Form: 5436-2 D
Last run: 20 days
W: 10st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 1 |
22nd May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Below par when returning to hurdling at Southwell (2m4f, good) in March; has dropped 2lb since finishing fourth at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on his most recent chase start and has claims if able to reproduce the form of that or his Bangor success (2m4f, soft) last November; acts on a sound surface. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
24th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 88y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Good and bad since returned to fences (1P4); runs off a lower hurdles mark but he is a 10yo and without a win in this discipline since 2022. |
6/1 |
5/2
Form: P57-24 D
Last run: 23 days
W: 11st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 138
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 17 |
30th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 75y |
11st 2lb |
Out of form since his 16-1 win in this race last year; possibly back on a competitive mark now, only 3lb higher than 12 months ago; however, needs to step up on the form of his Aintree run. |
10/1 |
|
7th 10 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 176y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Soundly beaten ninth in this 12 months ago (good to soft) and tailed off on his last three starts; however, the return to better ground can help and he won a big-field handicap at Punchestown (2m, yielding) last May; on a handy mark judged on that Irish form and he's not discounted. |
20/1 |
|
5th 2 |
21st Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 16y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Beat 22 rivals to win at Punchestown festival (2m, yielding) last May but looked out of sorts on both appearances since returning from a break in November and needs to turn a corner. |
10/1 |
100/1
Form: P5U454
Last run: 33 days
W: 10st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 14 |
21st Aug 2024 Good 2m 0f 110y Class 5 |
10st 8lb |
0-10 over fences; gave good account when fourth at Hereford (2m, good) in November but his overall record is not persuasive, and he was safely held on latest outing two months ago. |
25/1 |
|
7th 8 |
18th Jun 2024 Good 2m 0f 213y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
held up in rear, headway 5th, not fluent 6th, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last |
14/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £8.10 |
| Straight Forecast | £8.75 |
| Trifecta | £21.70 |
Selections
Daily Record:
MatataRP RATINGS:
Libberty HunterTOPSPEED:
Libberty HunterTelegraph:
Libberty HunterDaily Mirror:
Libberty HunterThe Star:
Libberty Hunter