13.50
SoftRead Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £20812
- 2m 4f 10y
- Class 2
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 3-1554 D
Last run: 15 days
W: 12st 0lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 141
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
1st May 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
12st 4lb |
Bled from the nose when a fading fourth in the Aintree Foxhunters latest (2m5f, good to soft), though still had Fan De Blues comfortably behind for the second time this year; more prolific on easier surfaces but Taunton win in January reaffirmed he's effective on good as well. |
2/5 |
|
4th 22 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival in March 2024 (2m, soft) and runner-up in it last year (good to soft); comfortable wins in hunter chases on last two starts (2m5f/2m6f, good/good to soft); his stamina will be more severely tested in today's hotter company but leading claims if seeing it out. |
4/1 |
|
1st 2 |
14th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 6f 54y Class 3 |
12st 4lb |
Useful handicapper who won the Grand Annual Chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (2m, soft) and was second in that race last year (good to soft); did not need to be at best to make winning hunter chase debut at Taunton (2m5f, good; main rival disappointed) last month and ought to remain a potent threat at this level. |
5/4 |
Abandoned
Form: P11-P5 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
11th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 152y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
His second over 2m4f (good) here 13 months ago reads well but he's become a hard horse to predict and previous ventures over 3m+ have amounted to little. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
11th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 152y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
His second over 2m4f (good) here 13 months ago reads well but he's become a hard horse to predict and previous ventures over 3m+ have amounted to little. |
8/1 |
|
8th 10 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
10st 6lb |
Last ran off this low a mark in spring 2022; Plumpton second (2m4f, good) last April reads well but he has been well beaten more often than not over the last two seasons. |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 23-811 C
Last run: 10 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 137
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 194y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Useful hurdler/chaser in his pomp who is a three-time chase winner, with back-to-back wins coming in December 2023; below that level in limited appearances since, including after a third wind operation; nevertheless, he could still make his presence felt at this lower level. |
9/2 |
|
4th 6 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, prominent when jumped right 12th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake last, lost third towards finish |
14/1 |
|
4th 6 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, not fluent 11th, prominent when jumped right 12th, not fluent 3 out, weakening when mistake last, lost third towards finish |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 31F-72 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 134
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
23rd Mar 2026 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Solid performances in notable handicaps this season, winning the Badger Beers at Wincanton then fourth in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown and Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years; respected back down in class. |
9/4 |
|
4th 8 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
Jumped well and dominated throughout in the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good; handles softer) and gave it another good go off this 8lb higher mark at Sandown; assured competition for the lead here has to reduce his appeal. |
25/1 |
|
7th 7 |
1st Mar 2025 Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 2 |
10st 5lb |
didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, hit 5th |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 11F-13 D BF
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
22nd Apr 2026 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
11st 13lb |
All chase wins around 2m4f, including win at this meeting last year; Newbury specialist who landed fourth win at that track when bagging valuable handicap for second time on penultimate start; never won off a mark this high and drop back down to 2m also asks a question but he's impossible to rule out. |
3/1 |
|
4th 4 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Back to something like his best last time, registering a second success in the Greatwood Gold Cup and taking C&D record to 4-6; won this contest in 2023 and 2024; back up the weights but commands respect kept to a scenario that suits him ideally. |
9/4 |
|
1st 5 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
Record of 3-5 at Newbury features a success in this contest two years ago; proved no match for Twinjets in most recent course start and was a faller in last two handicap attempts (out of depth in Grade 1 since); however, holds a major chance off current mark provided he's in top form. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 16-8P1 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 10st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 6f 41y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored. |
20/1 |
|
10 |
17th Jan 2025 Soft 2m 6f 41y Class 3 |
11st 7lb |
Last campaign was very hit and miss but included two wins over about 2m4f on heavy going and he seems to be working his way back to form this season; not proven beyond 2m5f but he's too well handicapped to be ignored. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 35-411 D
Last run: 18 days
W: 10st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
23rd Feb 2026 Soft 3m 1f 157y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Mudlover who has won four times over fences and he's run creditably at Warwick (3m, good to soft) and over C&D (soft) in last two starts; finished behind Lumi Plugin last time but he should give it another good shot and any rain would be a bonus. |
9/4 |
|
3rd 3 |
26th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 1f 157y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Mudlover who was out of sorts in just three runs last winter but ran well for a long way in a better race than this at Bangor (3m, soft) in April and kept on gamely when third at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month; this more testing ground will suit better; solid claims. |
2/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 731P-3 CD
Last run: 29 days
W: 10st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 110y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Brings very strong credentials to this series final, having posted sound performances over C&D (good to soft) in last two starts, comfortably defying top weight latest; 2-6 overall for current yard; respected. |
6/1 |
|
1st 1 |
8th Mar 2026 Soft 3m 0f 110y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Back in good form for his current yard, landing 3m handicap chase at Wetherby in December and posting a good second of seven over C&D last time; very much one to consider off an unchanged mark. |
7/2 |
Verdict
The most appealing profile belongs to HUDSON DE GRUGY who goes well at Sandown and shaped with some encouragement over an inadequate 2m on his reappearance. The hat-trick-seeking Georges Saint would be a big danger if turning up but has a first-preference engagement at Wincanton. In his absence, Heltenham and the selection’s old rival Quel Destin would be feared most.[Richard O’Brien]