16.35
SoftBlackmore Vale Hurdle 1867 ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)
- Prize money: £4084.5
- 1m 7f 50y
- Class 4
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
1/4
Form: 51-232 D
Last run: 58 days
W: 11st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 |
2nd Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
On workable mark if judged on last season's hurdling form at around 2m4f for Paul Nicholls but his chasing debut last March was underwhelming and his finishing effort on seasonal/stable debut in December (favourite) was very disappointing; upped in trip here; has a point to prove. |
4/1 |
12/1
Form: 4-95
Last run: 45 days
W: 11st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
27th Sep 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 2 |
10st 9lb |
Placed on first two hurdling starts (1m7f/2m) and displayed improvement when upped to 2m3f for recent handicap debut at Bangor, where he travelled strongly before asserting on the run-in; moves up from Class 5 today but seems versatile ground-wise and probably still has more improvement to come. |
10/1 |
|
1st 1 |
6th Sep 2024 Good 2m 3f 123y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Placed on both hurdling starts, more recently when second in Worcester maiden (2m, good) in June; that form has worked out well since and this fellow ought to have more improvement to come in 2m4f handicaps. |
11/4 |
100/1
Form: 8/5P-8
Last run: 109 days
W: 11st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
10th Jun 2025 Good 2m 3f 29y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Safely held in two slow-ground handicaps (both 1m7f) for Simon Earle last year and makes stable debut after a six-month absence but improvement is possible if this new trip-and-ground combination suits. |
16/1 |
|
5th 3 |
5th Dec 2024 Heavy 1m 7f 113y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Never threatened last season but ran okay behind talented winners in his last two maidens; one to note in the betting on handicap debut. |
16/1 |
|
5th 3 |
5th Dec 2024 Heavy 1m 7f 113y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Never threatened last season but ran okay behind talented winners in his last two maidens; one to note in the betting on handicap debut. |
16/1 |
25/1
Form: 123-0 D
Last run: 16 days
W: 11st 6lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 11 |
2nd May 2026 Good 2m 7f 63y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Ex-Dan Skelton; several good runs for Rebecca Menzies last season, including when third at Kelso on latest start in November (3m, soft); just as effective on this better ground; each-way chance. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
18th Nov 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 100y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Left Dan Skelton after winning at Stratford (2m2f, good; from 7lb lower) in July; visored at Wetherby (2m5f-3m) on last two starts when thereabouts from the front, without fully seeing out his race; ground conditions softer than ideal but he looks a player. |
11/4 |
|
7 |
31st Oct 2025 Good 2m 5f 56y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Bumper/handicap winner; up and down profile but made the frame in a first-time visor over 3m here recently and shouldn't mind dropping back in trip; bit to find with Belladinotte who was second in that race. |
8/1 |
7/2
Form: 2-5
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 6lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
23rd Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 54y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Switched to fences this season and produced three good runs in defeat (2m-2m4f) before flopping in first-time cheekpieces when made favourite at Huntingdon in early February; could be given another chance with that headgear swiftly removed. |
11/2 |
|
5th 4 |
5th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 3f 189y Class 5 |
11st 10lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who has encouraging form switched to fences this season, good second at Ludlow (upped to 2m4f, good to soft) most recently; possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear. |
15/8 |
|
2nd 8 |
15th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Low-mileage 7yo who kept on for third in his first two chases, the latter at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) last month; could quite plausibly have untapped potential over 2m4f and features prominently in calculations. |
4/1 |
33/1
Form: 557703
Last run: 55 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 |
13th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Off the mark at the 13th attempt under rules at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March, but finished a well-held fourth of seven at Taunton (3m, good to firm) last month; return to this trip should suit and one for the shortlist. |
13/2 |
|
6th 5 |
13th May 2025 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 5 |
11st 1lb |
Off the mark at the 13th attempt under rules at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in March, but finished a well-held fourth of seven at Taunton (3m, good to firm) last month; return to this trip should suit and one for the shortlist. |
13/2 |
|
4th 6 |
9th Apr 2025 Good To Firm 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
in rear but in touch with leaders, some headway after 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, weakened approaching last |
6/4 |
100/1
Form: 808
Last run: 17 days
W: 10st 13lb
6 yo Mare
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
0-10 over hurdles but was in good form when last seen in the autumn, including when clear second over C&D (good to soft) two starts ago; now 1lb below that mark; major player if fully tuned up. |
7/2 |
|
6 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
10st 7lb |
prominent, outpaced and dropped to rear 10th, lost touch 11th, pulled up before 2 out |
7/2 |
|
3rd 4 |
18th Nov 2024 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
10st 9lb |
led |
2/1 |
100/1
Form: 8698
Last run: 16 days
W: 10st 10lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
17th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 2m 7f 25y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
C&D winner last November (good to soft; held up), when 15lb lower; also held up when showing marginal improvement to score at Wincanton (3m, good) latest; up another 6lb but looks a leading player. |
11/8 |
|
1st 6 |
1st Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 150y Class 5 |
11st 6lb |
Made the breakthrough at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) in November and he had a near-miss at Taunton (3m, good) the following month; looks interesting on that form but he was laboured at Exeter last month and that took his hurdling record to 1-18. |
8/1 |
|
8th 9 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 25y Class 5 |
11st 5lb |
Came good here (2m5f, good to soft) in November, his 14th hurdling start, and has performed well over 3m at Taunton on all three starts since; ought to be right in the thick of things again. |
7/1 |
Non-runners
Gentlieman Ross
Selections
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