15.30
SoftUnibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £262077.52
- 2m 0f 87y
- Class 1
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
50/1
Form: 23-252 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 146
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13th 7 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Two races this autumn (one a 2m4f Grade 2 from The Yellow Clay) were his first wins for ages and he wasn't disgraced on latest outing; third in the 2022 County and fifth in this race last year in his only two handicaps at this meeting, but he's higher in the weights today and is now an 11yo, so can't be the percentage call. |
33/1 |
|
4th 3 |
8th Feb 2026 Heavy 2m 5f 180y |
11st 8lb |
Win record has not reflected his ability for much of his career; only one success before this season's victories in a conditions race at Sligo and 2m4f Grade 2 at this venue; needs to bounce back now having been tailed off in the Long Walk at Ascot. |
9/2 |
|
1st 1 |
24th Oct 2025 Good To Yielding 2m 1f 112y |
11st 12lb |
Just one win over hurdles but has been placed plenty of times including in graded races; was fifth in the Coral Cup before a fourth in a Fairyhouse Grade 2; was runner-up in this race last year after a similar absence so has to be respected as the top-rated in the field. |
2/1 |
9/1
Form: 12-171 CD
Last run: 31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 3 |
2nd May 2026 Yielding 2m 4f 118y |
11st 6lb |
Ground versatile sort is 4-15 over hurdles; back to form in fine style when landing the Lanzarote at Kempton in January (2m5f, good) off 136; hiked up 8lb and came up short in the BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham, though did meet trouble in running; dropped 1lb but may need more help from the handicapper. |
14/1 |
|
8th 11 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Bagged two big 2m handicaps (here and at Newbury) in the mud during his 2023-24 campaign; had a spell in the wilderness but dropped back down the weights prior to scoring with major authority in the 2m5f Lanzarote at Kempton (good; 22-1) two months ago; back up 8lb but also firmly back on the radar. |
9/1 |
|
17th 4 |
29th Apr 2025 Yielding To Soft 2m 0f 149y |
11st 5lb |
in touch with leaders |
8/1 |
11/2
Form: 411-11 D
Last run: 75 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 159
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
3rd May 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
led |
100/30 |
|
2nd 2 |
3rd May 2024 Good To Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
led |
100/30 |
25/1
Form: 1-1521 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 151
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Seemed to run well in a dramatic Fighting Fifth but was only fourth of five, admittedly not entirely disgraced, last week when favourite for a Windsor contest he'd won 12 months earlier; triple Grade 2 scorer but faces a difficult task against two exciting types in this field. |
33/1 |
|
4th 1 |
16th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Middle leg of a hat-trick when winning this last year (soft); finished close-up when last of the three finishers on reappearance in Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in November, which was a positive performance; leading claims despite a 8lb penalty. |
7/4 |
|
12 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 213y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Completed a hat-trick (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft/soft) when getting up close home in Grade 2 National Spirit at Fontwell last month; goes up in trip and back up in grade today, with something to find, but he stayed well on the Flat early in his career and has shaped this season as though today's extra distance could prompt further improvement; clearly thriving; interesting. |
25/1 |
33/1
Form: /355-1 D
Last run: 94 days
W: 11st 10lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 (7) |
21st Sep 2024 Good To Soft 1m 5f 61y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
Magnificent veteran who has retained a rare zest, demonstrated last year with a front-running Flat win in this race (heavy; stays well) and a second triumph in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle; creditable fourth in his two runs back on the Flat this term, the latest at Epsom on Derby day (1m4f; finished strongly); respected on that and any significant rain over the last day or so will probably help. |
14/1 |
|
4th 4 (2) |
1st Jun 2024 Good To Soft 1m 4f 6y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
12yo who has retained a rare zest, demonstrated last year with a front-running Flat win at Newbury (1m5f, heavy; stays well) and a second triumph in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle; creditable fourth at Newbury (2m) on return to Flat six weeks ago, which he needs to build on; won at this meeting in 2017 and he is not one to pass over lightly seven years on. |
20/1 |
1/3
Form: 21-111 C
Last run: 37 days
W: 11st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 169
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
2nd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
made all, jumped well, 3 lengths ahead halfway, reduced lead after 4 out, pushed along and went clear again approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in |
5/4 |
|
1st 3 |
2nd May 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 45y |
11st 12lb |
made all, jumped well, 3 lengths ahead halfway, reduced lead after 4 out, pushed along and went clear again approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in |
5/4 |
|
4 |
11th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Beaten twice by Brighterdaysahead this season, flopping badly on the second occasion, and was gifted a third Irish Champion Hurdle last month as main rival Lossiemouth fell; won a substandard edition of this race last year and was no match for highly impressive Constitution Hill 12 months earlier; dependable in the main and has a voluminous Grade 1 tally but a second Champion Hurdle win looks far from certain; wears first-time headgear. |
10/1 |
16/1
Form: 2-31P1 D
Last run: 44 days
W: 11st 10lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 152
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
1st Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 4f 45y |
11st 6lb |
raced wide, held up in rear, niggled along briefly before 5th, went third before 2 out, left in second and challenging from 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, no match for winner |
11/10 |
|
2nd 3 |
1st Apr 2024 Heavy 2m 4f 45y |
11st 6lb |
raced wide, held up in rear, niggled along briefly before 5th, went third before 2 out, left in second and challenging from 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, no match for winner |
11/10 |
|
7 |
12th Mar 2024 Soft 2m 0f 87y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Unraced on heavy going, seems to handle any other; ran well behind high-ranking stablemate Lossiemouth twice last term; justified favouritism in Naas Grade 3 most recently, adding to his Galway Hurdle success two starts earlier; currently well short of stablemate State Man's standard but may still rate higher and has each-way possibilities. |
16/1 |
25/1
Form: 43-231 D
Last run: 80 days
W: 11st 3lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
2nd Nov 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Carries 4lb penalty and she was a beaten favourite in this race last year (soft), but still ran well in second; won a handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) last December before fine third in the Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) and she holds leading claims this afternoon. |
8/13 |
|
1 |
2nd Nov 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Carries 4lb penalty and she was a beaten favourite in this race last year (soft), but still ran well in second; won a handicap at Ascot (1m7f, good) last December before fine third in the Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) and she holds leading claims this afternoon. |
8/13 |
|
4th 7 |
11th Apr 2024 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Progressive 6yo who took another step forward with her third in last month's Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy), when nicely clear of the fourth; she's unraced beyond 2m1f but her pedigree provides hope she'll be okay at this trip; top trainer has an excellent record in this race and she's not ruled out. |
10/1 |