14.50
SoftRyanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £218397.93
- 2m 4f 127y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
8/1 (Won)
- Win: £10.10
- Place: £2.40
Form: 5-4323 C
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 165
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
11yo whose last Grade 1 win came in March 2024 but he showed strong form when keeping on for second of four to Jonbon in the Melling Chase here (2m4f, good) 12 months ago and has won at Windsor (2m6f, soft; warm conditions race) and Kelso (extended 2m7f, good to soft; Listed) on his two runs this year; he should still be fine at this sort of trip and could be a contender. |
15/2 |
|
1st 3 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Tremendous campaigner who has netted connections over £1m in prize-money; jumped right on occasions but was still firmly on top at finish in valuable conditions chase at Windsor (2m6f, soft) six weeks ago; usually races up with the pace; the clear pick on form and very much the one to beat. |
1/8 |
|
1st 6 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Bolted up in this race last year (soft); reappeared with very creditable third off a lofty mark in handicap at Cheltenham (3m3f, soft) in November; wind surgery since; this 11yo holds stand-out claims on today's terms. |
8/11 |
3/1
- Place: £1.50
Form: 714-32 CD
Last run: 124 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 164
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 1 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
His remarkable haul of ten Grade 1 wins includes three at the Cheltenham Festival, and it was at that level that he won at Down Royal in November on his sole outing this season; however, he was a well-beaten third in the Ryanair last March and, now 12, today's task is likely to prove beyond him. |
25/1 |
|
2 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected. |
9/4 |
|
2 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y |
11st 10lb |
Winner of this race in 2022 and 2024, just touched off in 2023; eight chase wins also include a Ryanair Chase; ran just twice after last season's win here, unseating in King George and bit below-best but nonetheless creditable third in Ryanair in March; veteran vulnerable to younger rivals but has to be respected. |
9/4 |
13/2
- Place: £2.90
Form: P-53UU D
Last run: 40 days
W: 11st 10lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 16 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 8lb |
Finished third in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup; showed some spark around Punchestown's banks course this February but this 12yo is nothing like the force of old and was well beaten in the cross-country race at Cheltenham last month; without a win since December 2022 and looks up against it. |
66/1 |
|
9th 5 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 5f 56y Class 2 |
10st 7lb |
Top class over regulation fences in his prime (dual 3m Grade 1 winner) but has regressed and become inconsistent; gave a pretty good account when placed behind Vanillier on Bank course at Punchestown (3m1f, soft to heavy; refitted cheekpieces/first-time tongue-tie) last month but was well beaten on his only C&D start (in 2024); younger rivals appeal much more. |
25/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
4th Feb 2026 Heavy 3m 0f 193y |
11st 4lb |
High-class in his day, winning a brace of Grade 1 Leopardstown contests at 3m; not at that level nowadays, including fourth in C&D cross-country chase at last year's festival; runner-up on latest two runs in point-to-points, most recently at Tyrella 11 days ago; new headgear combination; Jack Kennedy prefers The Goffer. |
7/2 |
15/2
Form: 3P-631 C
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 161
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 2 |
12st 2lb |
Capable of smart form for Willie Mullins and landed the Cotswold Chase two years ago; however, badly lacks recent match practice having been absent since finishing third in the Bobbyjo last February; remains with same owner; market may offer further guidance. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
22nd Feb 2025 Soft 3m 1f 165y |
11st 8lb |
took keen hold, in touch with leaders, mistake 4 out, pressed leaders 2 out, no extra before last |
10/1 |
5/1
Form: 115-1P CD BF
Last run: 73 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 166
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 7 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Best known for his 2m4f exploits that include Grade 1 novice wins over hurdles/fences; however, put up a good fight against odds-on L'Homme Presse when upped to 3m1f in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (soft) most recently, emerging as the best horse at the weights; one of a few runners who remain unexposed at this sort of trip. |
13/2 |
|
3rd 7 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Best known for his 2m4f exploits that include Grade 1 novice wins over hurdles/fences; however, put up a good fight against odds-on L'Homme Presse when upped to 3m1f in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (soft) most recently, emerging as the best horse at the weights; one of a few runners who remain unexposed at this sort of trip. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 2 |
25th Jan 2025 Good 3m 1f 56y Class 1 |
11st 8lb |
raced in second, led after 1st, faced challenge before 2 out, soon disputing lead, hung left run-in, no extra towards finish |
9/1 |
12/1
Form: 2-PP43 C
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 160
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 1 |
1st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Very much the class act in this field but he's become hugely frustrating as a chaser and tailed off (after making the running) when he reverted to hurdles in a Grade 2 at Newbury on latest outing; thrown in if he can even remotely get his act together. |
14/1 |
|
1 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 12lb |
10yo who was underwhelming in the main last season and soundly beaten in the Grade 1 Bowl here in April, having finished runner-up in the previous two runnings of that 3m contest; a longer trip than this would probably be preferable but he's 7lb lower than when a close third in this last year and is well worth a second look in view of his record at this track. |
13/2 |
|
5th 1 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Comes with some risk having failed to complete in his last three starts (had wind surgery prior to latest); however, comes alive at Aintree and has performed well in this race for the last two years, taking form figures at this meeting to 1122 (gained the wins in Grade 1 novice events over hurdles/fences); big player provided that pattern is sustained. |
6/1 |
16/1
Form: 106-22
Last run: 95 days
W: 11st 10lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 151
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2 (7) |
2nd Sep 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Smart jumper with four wins over hurdles and two over fences including in Grade 2 company; was runner-up on sole Flat start in France in 2021 over this trip; might find this trip a bit sharp now but should run a big race. |
11/2 |
|
2nd 3 |
20th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 100y |
11st 0lb |
raced in second, challenging when briefly left in lead 2 out, soon faced challenge, headed approaching last, no chance with winner run-in |
100/30 |
|
2nd 3 |
20th Apr 2025 Good To Yielding 3m 0f 100y |
11st 0lb |
raced in second, challenging when briefly left in lead 2 out, soon faced challenge, headed approaching last, no chance with winner run-in |
100/30 |
25/1
Form: 36-092 D
Last run: 33 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 157
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
10yo who has become inconsistent and hasn't shone on his last two starts; however, he has a good record over regulation fences here and has the same mark as when winning the Old Roan (2m4f, good to soft) last October; prominent for a fair way in last season's Grand National; not written off. |
33/1 |
|
1 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 13y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Runner-up in this race last year and he ended a long losing sequence in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on reappearance; however, he's less consistent than he once was and he was well held in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time; needs to bounce back from that. |
8/1 |
|
3 |
26th Oct 2025 Good 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
9yo who has won just one of his last 21 starts and struggled on his final two outings last season (albeit in Grand National on first occasion); however, he often runs very well, as when runner-up in this race last year (good) and in 2022 (good to soft), and there's every chance he'll be bang there. |
6/1 |
4/1
Form: 1321-1 C
Last run: 61 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 162
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
11st 11lb |
So nearly won his second King George at Kempton over Christmas but, although he's a class act, excelling over 3m on good ground at that speed track doesn't mean that this test will suit him; his moderate late headway in the extended 2m4f Grade 1 Ryanair at Cheltenham last month isn't that persuasive either. |
50/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
12th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the Martin Pipe over hurdles at this meeting in 2022 as well as a novice chase here that year, but Kempton is where his heart lies, having won the Grade 1 King George (3m, good) in 2024 and gone desperately close in the same race (first-time visor, retained here) on Boxing Day; however, he's been beaten a long way out at the last two Festivals, in this race and the Gold Cup, and a flat track may now be ideal; has something to prove. |
6/1 |
|
4th 1 |
30th Apr 2025 Yielding 3m 0f 213y |
11st 10lb |
jumped left on occasions, raced in third, went second 6th, struggling and lost second 3 out, weakening when lost third before 2 out, tailed off |
4/1 |
20/1
Form: 25-413 CD
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 10lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 157
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 6 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 3f 203y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
No win since late 2023 and he hasn't got a lot going this season; he had run well but looked on the retreat when unseating in Outlaw Peter's race here 11 days ago (visor replaced usual cheekpieces). |
12/1 |
|
5 |
4th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 203y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Winless since December 2023 and hasn't posed a serious threat this season; however, he was best of the rest behind easy winner Guard Your Dreams at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) last time and continues to drop down the weights; handles various ground; not ruled out in first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces). |
8/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
7th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
Quirky customer who is without a win since December 2023 and has become frustrating; that said, he ran well for a long way in a valuable Ascot handicap (2m5f, soft) three weeks ago and is another 4lb lower here. |
15/2 |
25/1
Form: 5P-671 CD
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 156
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
4 |
1st Nov 2025 Good 3m 0f 45y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Looked as good as ever when third in first-time blinkers in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) in April when last seen; however, he's won just once since November 2022 and has something to find against today's opponents; reapplied cheekpieces replace the blinkers. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
26th Apr 2025 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Best known for his exploits in the big 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham; however, even on his best form he has something to find in this field and he's been pulled up the last twice; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces. |
40/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £38.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £28.00 |
| Tricast | £215.93 |
| Trifecta | £306.20 |