13.15
Good To SoftDownload The Racing App Now Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £42712.5
- 2m 0f 0y
- Class 1
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Rain
100/30 (Won)
- Win: £7.00
- Place: £2.60
Form: 15-1U3 D
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 2lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 1m 7f 99y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Form since upped to 2m4f comprises a handicap win at Musselburgh and fourth-place finishes in Grade 1 events at Cheltenham and Aintree; return to shorter may not be an issue but he ideally needs a drop back in class. |
16/1 |
|
4th 4 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Proved his stamina when readily defying top weight in handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January, and he was disputing the lead entering the straight in the Ryanair at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month only to fade up the hill; beaten just over 16l by the winner Heart Wood but today's less demanding track should be a big plus; not ruled out each-way. |
14/1 |
|
4th 7 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Made short work of conceding plenty of weight in his first 2m4f chase - a Musselburgh handicap (good to soft) in January - and with his best sibling staying 3m well, there's a fair chance he'll cope with this much stiffer test at the trip; however, his three previous Festival runs, including a 2m handicap last year, suggest he'll be pushed to play a part in this company. |
33/1 |
5/2
- Place: £1.80
Form: O16-12 D BF
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 2lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| 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 |
7/1
Form: 5-2411 D
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 1 |
18th Jan 2025 Heavy 1m 7f 144y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch |
14/1 |
|
8th 1 |
18th Jan 2025 Heavy 1m 7f 144y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
raced wide, prominent, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost position 5th, dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch |
14/1 |
|
6th 1 |
14th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 2m 0f 128y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Well handicapped on last season's best novice chase form and he reappeared with a fair sixth in the Welsh Champion Hurdle; however, he was well beaten at Carlisle only a fortnight ago and needs to bounce back. |
9/1 |
3/1
Form: 8-1221 D
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 150
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today. |
100/1 |
|
5th 1 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 0f 92y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear. |
11/1 |
|
2 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip. |
4/1 |
100/30
Form: 08-111 D
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
1 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Well beaten in Grade 1s on final two starts last season; however, he impressed with two Grade 2 wins earlier in the campaign, namely the Peterborough at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) and the Denman at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft), and he has a very positive reappearance record; respected under 6lb penalty. |
9/4 |
|
6th 2 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Always behind and well beaten in the Ryanair but may benefit from this step back up in distance, having been well suited by 2m7f in the Denman Chase at Newbury (one of two soft-ground Grade 2 wins this term) the time before; largely progressive prior to latest start and unexposed over staying trips. |
20/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £19.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £21.49 |
| Trifecta | £77.70 |