13.45
SoftJCB Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £15843
- 2m 5f 0y
- Class 2
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
Abandoned
Form: 3-2721 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Did well for Dan Skelton and posted best effort for new stable when second behind easy winner at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) last time; however, likely needs a new level of form to go one better. |
14/1 |
|
2nd 1 |
31st Jan 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 103y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including on heavy going at Uttoxeter in 2024 and over 3m at Newbury last February; the latter was his final start for Dan Skelton and he's been well beaten this term on both runs for new yard; needs a career best to win this. |
11/1 |
|
1st 2 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 3m 0f 52y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
towards rear |
11/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-3P39
Last run: 14 days
W: 11st 12lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 131
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 |
20th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 166y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Very useful chaser in his prime but last month's hurdling win at Fontwell (2m5f, good) came off a hugely reduced handicap mark and it's not easy to predict whether his revival will gather momentum. |
4/1 |
|
1st 2 |
22nd Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Has been through a quiet spell but he ran respectably when fourth at Worcester (2m4f, good; tongue-tie refitted) last time; likely to need more. |
13/2 |
|
6 |
5th Sep 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
Very useful chaser in his prime but this year's efforts, in three hurdles and a chase, make him tough to recommend. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 11-273
Last run: 46 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 3m 4f 146y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Won this race (good ground) last year in first-time cheekpieces off a 10lb lower mark; first and second in two small fields this season, alongside two heavy defeats in top handicaps; tried blinkers when fading right out of it at the Cheltenham Festival last time and now reverts to cheekpieces; also back on firmer ground but a new career best is needed. |
12/1 |
|
15th 3 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (extended 3m4f, good) last April in first-time cheekpieces and returned to form when second at Windsor (2m6f, soft) in January; his jumping can sometimes lack fluency but, with first-time blinkers replacing the cheekpieces, he has an each-way chance if minimising the mistakes; fourth of 18 in the NH Chase here (3m6f, good to soft) last March. |
16/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (3m4f, good) last April and reappeared with Listed Intermediate win at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft); also effective on soft ground; however, soundly beaten in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) last time and has something to find today. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1/563- D
Last run: 441 days
W: 11st 6lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
26th Nov 2022 Good 2m 4f 118y Class 2 |
11st 6lb |
took keen hold, prominent, disputed lead 3rd, led 4th, joined 2 out, headed approaching last, ridden and weakened run-in |
25/1 |
|
6th 3 |
7th Nov 2022 Good 2m 5f 0y Class 2 |
10st 10lb |
held up in rear, pushed along and headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 76-420
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 5lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
31st May 2025 Good 3m 2f 83y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
31st May 2025 Good 3m 2f 83y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here. |
7/2 |
|
5 |
26th May 2025 Good 3m 1f 83y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Ended a long losing run at Ffos Las (3m) in January and not disgraced when sixth of 17 in 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap last time; possibilities eased 1lb. |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 2-124F
Last run: 20 days
W: 11st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 124
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
7th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 42y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
Had fallen in the weights prior to winning at Ludlow (3m, soft) 17 days ago, perked up by first-time cheekpieces; nudged back up 3lb but remains on a workable mark; high on the list. |
100/30 |
|
1st 1 |
18th Feb 2026 2m 7f 171y Class 4 |
12st 0lb |
Below best on his four outings in 2025 and unseated at the first fence at Taunton recently; also needs to prove his stamina; however, this 7yo has plenty of time to get his career back on track and is on a handy mark on his 2024 exploits; perhaps the new cheekpieces will give him a boost. |
4/1 |
|
4 |
3rd Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 7f 3y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Back on a good mark now but ended last season on a low note and has not really fired on either appearance this term (favourite both times); comes here with a bit to prove, including stamina. |
3/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 57/1-5
Last run: 53 days
W: 10st 13lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
10th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise. |
5/2 |
|
3 |
10th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 16y Class 3 |
11st 12lb |
2-2 for Harriet Dickin, having won narrowly at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) and following up by nearly 3l at Hereford (2m3f, good to soft); only 4lb higher than last time and the third won well at Kempton on Monday; has stamina to prove but good claims otherwise. |
5/2 |
|
1st 2 |
14th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 3f 147y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
led narrowly, headed after 2 out, rallied and led again last, ridden out |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -53222 BF
Last run: 35 days
W: 10st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
6th May 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 170y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Didn't appear to stay 3m5f at Bangor two starts ago but fared little better when pulled up at Exeter last month back at a trip that should have suited; had been in good form prior to those runs and would hold at least place claims if able to rekindle that earlier spark. |
10/1 |
|
6 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 137y Class 4 |
11st 9lb |
In good form over fences prior to heavy defeat at Bangor where he failed to stay 3m5f; could go well now back down in trip on first hurdle start since December 2024. |
16/1 |
|
6th 8 |
25th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 5f 142y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
0-7 over fences but has been running well, not beaten at all far the last twice in races at about 3m; however, although a 3m2f winner over hurdles, 3m6f appeared too far at Exeter in December. |
10/1 |
Verdict
Santos Blue (second choice) is nicely progressive and he did well win with such authority at Wetherby. It wouldn’t be a surprise should Dorking Boy go well after his absence, and indeed Up For Parol despite this season’s disappointments. However, ASTRONOMIC VIEW is a true mudlover who has yet to run a bad race in handicaps and his assured stamina could be his trump card after all the rain.[Alistair Jones]